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Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 5h 48m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $49, and a bus costs an average of $34.
Distance: 187 miles (302 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
$50 Average price Cheapest | $59 Average price |
6h 18m Average total duration Fastest 5h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 19m Average total duration 5h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
How to get from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 769 Pacific Surfliner8:10 AM5h36Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1:46 PMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$501One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 769 Pacific Surfliner8:10 AM5h36Old Town Station, San Diego, CA1:46 PMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$501One-way0 transfers
Fastest
UA5384 · UA572911:01 AM2h48San Diego International Airport1:49 PMSanta Barbara Airport$3231One-way1 transfer
Other options
- 769 Pacific Surfliner8:01 AM5h45Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA1:46 PMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$501One-way0 transfers
- 765 Pacific Surfliner6:10 AM5h37Old Town Station, San Diego, CA11:47 AMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$501One-way0 transfers
- 765 Pacific Surfliner6:01 AM5h46Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA11:47 AMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$501One-way0 transfers
- UA2274 · UA15787:20 AM4h41San Diego International Airport12:01 PMSanta Barbara Airport$3231One-way1 transfer
- UA2630 · UA15786:36 AM5h25San Diego International Airport12:01 PMSanta Barbara Airport$3231One-way1 transfer
- UA1302 · UA55456:22 PM4h02San Diego International Airport10:24 PMSanta Barbara Airport$3231One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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FAQs: Travel from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Travel to Santa Barbara, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $14 (€12) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $49 (€39).
A bus is $90 (€72) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $124 (€99).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 46m.
Bus takes on average 6h 20m.
- Around 29 flights per day.
- Around 17 trains per day.
- Around 4 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Diego, CA and Santa Barbara, CA as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from San Diego International Airport and arrive in Santa Barbara Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA and arrive in Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA and arrive in Santa Barbara, Bus station.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Santa Barbara, CA by train.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Santa Barbara, CA by bus.
- 13 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 0 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
Travelling from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA: related information
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