4.9
4.6
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 $45 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 4h 18m. 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 $45, while a bus costs an average of $85.
Distance: 119 miles (192 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$45 Average price Cheapest | $85 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 59m Average total duration 4h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 18m Average total duration Fastest 3h 48m Onboard + 30m 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 |
 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA:
A train is $40 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $85.
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 59m.
Tickets start at around $45 compared to roughly $28 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-16.40. The journey takes 4h 29m 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 train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 1:53 PM4h18Santa Barbara, CA6:11 PMIrvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 1:53 PM4h18Santa Barbara, CA6:11 PMIrvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 1:53 PM4h18Santa Barbara, CA6:11 PMIrvine, CA$441One-way0 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.
Sep 20
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Sep 26
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
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 $40 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA costing on average $85.
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 59m.
- Around 15 trains per day.
- Around 4 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.
- 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 FlixBus to go to Irvine, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Irvine, CA by train.
Travelling from Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine, CA: related information
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Travel to popular destinations by train, bus or flight
The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy
We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.
