4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $31 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 2h 51m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $31, while a train costs an average of $34.
Distance: 86 miles (140 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$34 Average price | $31 Average price Cheapest | $20 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 31m Average total duration 3h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 51m Average total duration Fastest 2h 21m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg 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 Los Angeles, CA:
A bus is $3 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $34.
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 31m.
Tickets start at around $34 compared to roughly $20 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-13.61. The journey takes 3h 1m versus 1h 54m 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 Los Angeles, CA
How to get from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 2:45 AM1h50Santa Barbara, CA4:35 AMLos Angeles, CA$271One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 2:45 AM1h50Santa Barbara, CA4:35 AMLos Angeles, CA$271One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 2:45 AM1h50Santa Barbara, CA4:35 AMLos Angeles, CA$271One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 1:00 AM1h50Santa Barbara, CA2:50 AMLos Angeles, CA$471One-way0 transfers
- 2:19 AM6h01Santa Barbara, CA8:20 AMLos Angeles, CA$571One-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 train and bus 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 18
Sep 19
Sep 20
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 25
Sep 26
Sep 27
Sep 28
Sep 29
Sep 30
Oct 01
More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.
FAQs: Travel from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Travel to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA:
A bus is $3 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $34.
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 31m.
- Around 12 trains per day.
- Around 1 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Santa Barbara, CA and Los Angeles, CA as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and arrive in Union Station, Los Angeles, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Santa Barbara, Bus station and arrive in Los Angeles, Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station), CA.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Los Angeles, CA by train.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Los Angeles, CA by bus.
- 11 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
Travelling from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, 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.
