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Travel Information
Compare train, bus, 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 train, with an average ticket price of €41 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 6h 31m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €41, while a bus costs an average of €50.
Distance: 187 miles (302 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€41 Average price Cheapest | €50 Average price | €43 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 38m Average total duration 6h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 31m Average total duration Fastest 6h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg 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 San Diego, CA:
A train is €9 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average €50.
A train is €118 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average €159.
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 31m.
Train takes on average 6h 38m.
Tickets start at around €41 compared to roughly €43 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €2. The journey takes 6h 8m versus 3h 44m 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 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.
- 2:19 AM11h16Santa Barbara, CA1:35 PMSan Diego, CA€561One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 2:19 AM11h16Santa Barbara, CA1:35 PMSan Diego, CA€561One-way0 transfers
Fastest
- 2:19 AM11h16Santa Barbara, CA1:35 PMSan Diego, CA€561One-way0 transfers
Other options
- 1:19 AM11h16Santa Barbara, CA12:35 PMSan Diego, CA€611One-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
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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 train is €9 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average €50.
A train is €118 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average €159.
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 31m.
Train takes on average 6h 38m.
- Around 30 flights per day.
- Around 19 trains per day.
- Around 3 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 train, bus, 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, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA.
- Travel with FlixBus to go to San Diego, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to San Diego, CA by train.
- 14 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA: related information
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