4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $81 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 7h 42m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $81, while a train costs an average of $131.
Distance: 236 miles (380 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$131 Average price | $81 Average price Cheapest | $58 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 15m Average total duration 7h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 42m Average total duration Fastest 7h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $50 (€41) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $131 (€106).
A bus is $413 (€334) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $494 (€400).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 15m.
Flight takes on average 10h 48m.
Tickets start at around $131 (€106) compared to roughly $58 (€47) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-73.25 (€-59.22). The journey takes 7h 45m versus 4h 18m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Travel optionsfrom San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
How to get from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 4794 AMTRAK · 794 Pacific Surfliner10:25 AM8h32San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA6:57 PMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$1291One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- 4794 AMTRAK · 794 Pacific Surfliner10:25 AM8h32San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA6:57 PMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$1291One-way1 transfer
Fastest
AA2571 · AA185512:42 PM5h21Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport6:03 PMSanta Barbara Airport$9551One-way1 transfer
Other options
- 11 Coast Starlight10:26 AM7h46San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA6:12 PMSanta Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA$3631One-way0 transfers
- FlixBus8:15 AM5h30San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)1:45 PMSanta Barbara, Bus station$1321One-way0 transfers
+FlixBus12:35 AM10h35San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)11:10 AMSanta Barbara, Bus station$1391One-way1 transfer
UA2076 · UA247912:51 PM8h12Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport9:03 PMSanta Barbara Airport$4321One-way1 transfer- AA1358 · AA18556:00 AM12h03Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport6:03 PMSanta Barbara Airport$8211One-way1 transfer
- AA1358+
AA39316:00 AM5h45Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport11:45 AMSanta Barbara Airport$9381One-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
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FAQs: Travel from San Jose, 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 Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $50 (€41) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $131 (€106).
A bus is $413 (€334) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $494 (€400).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 15m.
Flight takes on average 10h 48m.
- Around 9 flights per day.
- Around 4 trains per day.
- Around 3 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Jose, 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 Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and arrive in Santa Barbara Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from San José Diridon Station, San Jose, CA and arrive in Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) and arrive in Santa Barbara, Bus station.
- Travel with FlixBus, Greyhound to go to Santa Barbara, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Santa Barbara, CA by train.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from San Jose, CA to Santa Barbara, CA: related information
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