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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 prices starting from $47. 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 train costs an average of $47, and a bus costs an average of $39.
Distance: 187 miles (302 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$49 Average price Cheapest | $64 Average price | $52 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 39m Average total duration 6h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 37m Average total duration Fastest 6h 7m 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 $15 (€12) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $64 (€52).
A train is $198 (€162) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $247 (€202).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 7m.
Train takes on average 6h 9m.
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 train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- 794 Pacific Surfliner7:00 PM5h50Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:50 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$501One-way0 transfers
Cheapest
- 794 Pacific Surfliner7:00 PM5h50Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:50 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$501One-way0 transfers
Fastest
UA2340 · UA4446:15 AM3h44Santa Barbara Airport9:59 AMSan Diego International Airport$6741One-way1 transfer
Other options
- 786 Pacific Surfliner2:57 PM5h55Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA8:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$501One-way0 transfers
- 770 Pacific Surfliner6:53 AM5h59Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$501One-way0 transfers
- 774 Pacific Surfliner8:49 AM6h03Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA2:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA$501One-way0 transfers
- 11 Coast Starlight · 5818 AMTRAK6:19 PM11h16Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA5:35 AMSanta Fe Depot, San Diego, CA$761One-way1 transfer
- UA5704 · UA21428:24 PM4h06Santa Barbara Airport12:30 AMSan Diego International Airport$2671One-way1 transfer
- UA4649 · UA46436:00 AM4h08Santa Barbara Airport10:08 AMSan Diego International Airport$2671One-way1 transfer
- UA5647 · UA5946:18 PM5h36Santa Barbara Airport11:54 PMSan Diego International Airport$2671One-way1 transfer
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 $15 (€12) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $64 (€52).
A train is $198 (€162) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average $247 (€202).
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 7m.
Train takes on average 6h 9m.
- Around 29 flights per day.
- Around 18 trains 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 train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and arrive in Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA.
- Flights mostly depart from Santa Barbara Airport and arrive in San Diego International Airport.
- 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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