Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €40. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 7h 31m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €40, and a train costs an average of €49.
Distance: 274 miles (441 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€73 Average price | €54 Average price Cheapest |
9h 26m Average total duration 8h 56m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 1m Average total duration Fastest 7h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Travel optionsfrom Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
How to get from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

Cheapest

Fastest

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 Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
Travel to Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA.

This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA:
A bus is $12 (€9) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA costing on average $62 (€49).
Other travel options to Oakland, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 45m.
- Around 6 trains per day.
- Around 5 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Santa Barbara, CA and Oakland, CA as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.
- Buses mostly depart from Santa Barbara, Bus station and arrive in Oakland, West Oakland BART Station, CA.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and arrive in Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to Oakland, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Oakland, CA by train.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA: related information
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