How to travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

Sun, Sep 20
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $42 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 4h 20m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $42, while a bus costs an average of $57.

Distance: 114 miles (185 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

$42

Average price

Cheapest

$57

Average price

$27

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 20m

Average total duration

Fastest

3h 50m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

5h 34m

Average total duration

5h 4m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 29m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train 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.

The cheapest way to travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is a train with an average price of $42.

This is compared to other travel options from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:

A train is $15 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $57.

The fastest way to travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is by train with an average journey time of 4h 20m.

Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 5h 34m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Santa Ana, CA and Santa Barbara, CA including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's the cheaper option, and the extra time on board is usually more relaxing than driving it.

Tickets start at around $42 compared to roughly $27 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-14.54. The journey takes 3h 50m versus 2h 29m 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 options
from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

How to get from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • Amtrak
    2:04 AM3h52
    Santa Ana, CA
    5:56 AMSanta Barbara, CA
    $401One-way
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • Amtrak
    2:04 AM3h52
    Santa Ana, CA
    5:56 AMSanta Barbara, CA
    $401One-way
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Amtrak
    2:04 AM3h52
    Santa Ana, CA
    5:56 AMSanta Barbara, CA
    $401One-way
    0 transfers

Other options

  • Amtrak
    1:04 AM3h52
    Santa Ana, CA
    4:56 AMSanta Barbara, CA
    $421One-way
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

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FAQs: Travel from Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Santa Ana, CA and Santa Barbara, CA including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is a train with an average price of $42.

This is compared to other travel options from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:

A train is $15 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $57.

The fastest way to travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is by train with an average journey time of 4h 20m.

Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:

Bus takes on average 5h 34m.

The distance from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is approximately 114 miles (185 km).
The average frequency per day from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is:
  • Around 11 trains per day.
  • Around 1 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Santa Ana, CA and Santa Barbara, CA as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
  • Trains mostly depart from Santa Ana Station, Santa Ana, CA and arrive in Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA.
  • Buses mostly depart from Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) and arrive in Santa Barbara, Bus station.
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Greyhound to go to Santa Barbara, CA by bus.
  • Travel with Amtrak to go to Santa Barbara, CA by train.
Yes, there is a direct route available from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
  • 9 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Omio customers who travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA often also extend their vacation to go to Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, San Diego, CA, San Jose, CA, Ventura, CA. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Santa Barbara, CA and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Santa Barbara, CA to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Santa Barbara, CA, visitors can explore State Street for shopping, dining, and entertainment, visit the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and take a wine tasting tour in the Santa Ynez Valley. For outdoor activities, enjoy a scenic hike in the Santa Ynez Mountains and visit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. Best sights include the historic Santa Barbara Mission, Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara Zoo, and the unique Lotusland botanical garden.
Typically, spending 2 to 3 days in Santa Barbara, CA is ideal to explore its beautiful beaches, vibrant downtown, and cultural attractions.

Travelling from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to USATravel to Santa Barbara, CAHow to travel from Santa Ana, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

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