Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €23. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 6h 7m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €23, and a train costs an average of €40.
Distance: 187 miles (302 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€40 Average price | €40 Average price Cheapest |
6h 40m Average total duration 6h 10m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 37m Average total duration Fastest 6h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg 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 San Diego, CA
How to get from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, 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
Compare bus, train, and flight 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 San Diego, CA
Travel to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA.

This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA:
A bus is $21 (€17) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $50 (€40).
A bus is $294 (€234) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $322 (€257).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 40m.
Train takes on average 6h 14m.
- Around 16 trains per day.
- Around 13 flights per day.
- Around 4 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Santa Barbara, CA and San Diego, CA as scheduled services by bus, train, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Santa Barbara Airport and arrive in San Diego International Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and arrive in Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Santa Barbara, Bus station and arrive in San Diego, San Ysidro Transit Center.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to San Diego, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to San Diego, CA by train.
- 0 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 12 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA: related information
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