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Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $51 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 4h 25m. 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 $51, while a flight costs an average of $827.
Distance: 119 miles (192 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$51 Average price Cheapest | $57 Average price | $827 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 18m Average total duration 4h 48m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration Fastest 3h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 3m Average total duration 3h 3m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 2h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular train company |  Most popular bus company |  Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA
Compare the available ways to get from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA:
A train is $7 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $57.
A train is $776 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $827.
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 3m.
Train takes on average 5h 18m.
Tickets start at around $51 compared to roughly $28 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -$23. The journey takes 4h 48m versus 2h 28m 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA
How to get from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
10:45 PM 7h15 Santa Barbara, CA 6:00 AM Irvine, CA $46 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest
10:45 PM 7h15 Santa Barbara, CA 6:00 AM Irvine, CA $46 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest
10:45 PM 7h15 Santa Barbara, CA 6:00 AM Irvine, CA $46 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options
8:55 PM 7h45 Santa Barbara, CA 4:40 AM Irvine, CA $83 1 One-way 0 transfers
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 bus and train 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA
Travel to Irvine, 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 Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA:
A train is $7 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $57.
A train is $776 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $827.
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Flight takes on average 5h 3m.
Train takes on average 5h 18m.
- Around 13 trains per day.
- Around 6 flights per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Santa Barbara, CA and Irvine, CA as scheduled services by bus and train can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Santa Barbara Airport and arrive in John Wayne Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and arrive in Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Santa Barbara, Bus station and arrive in Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station).
- Travel with American Airlines to go to Irvine, CA by flight.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Irvine, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Irvine, CA by train.
- 11 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA: related information
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