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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 an average ticket price of $76 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 8h 43m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $76, while a train costs an average of $133.
Distance: 274 miles (441 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$133 Average price | $76 Average price Cheapest | $64 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 17m Average total duration 8h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 43m Average total duration Fastest 8h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.1kg 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 Oakland, CA:
A bus is $57 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA costing on average $133.
Other travel options to Oakland, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 17m.
Tickets start at around $133 compared to roughly $64 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-69.09. The journey takes 8h 47m versus 4h 57m 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 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.
- 765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 Connecting Bus11:47 AM8h48Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA8:35 PMOakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA$511One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- 765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 Connecting Bus11:47 AM8h48Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA8:35 PMOakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA$511One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- 6238 Connecting Bus · 538 Capitol Corridor7:35 AM8h25Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA4:00 PMOakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA$1381One-way1 transfer
Other options
- 14 Coast Starlight12:15 PM8h51Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA9:06 PMOakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA$951One-way0 transfers
- 5619 Connecting Bus · 719 Gold Runner12:00 PM10h24Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA10:24 PMOakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA$1251One-way1 transfer
- FlixBus · FlixBus+
· 1:50 PM22h05Santa Barbara, Bus station11:55 AMOakland, West Oakland BART Station, CA$1241One-way3 transfers - 4761 Connecting Bus · 544 Capitol Corridor10:05 AM8h28Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA6:33 PMOakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA$1381One-way1 transfer
- 4761 Connecting Bus · 550 Capitol Corridor10:05 AM9h58Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA8:03 PMOakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA$1381One-way1 transfer
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
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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 $57 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA costing on average $133.
Other travel options to Oakland, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 17m.
- Around 1 trains per day.
- Around 1 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.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and arrive in Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Santa Barbara, Bus station and arrive in Oakland, West Oakland BART Station, CA.
- Travel with Greyhound, 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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