There are 5 ways to get from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak), bus, car, train, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Oceanside to Santa Barbaratrain Pacific Surfliner
4h 59m$60–130Drive 181.1 mi
cheapest- Drive from Carlsbad to Santa Barbaracar 181.1 mi
3h 11m$34–48Bus
- Take the bus from Oceanside to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stopbus reLAXsan
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Barbara Airportbus
6h 23mTrain to San Diego International Airport, fly
- Take the train from Carlsbad Village Station to San Diego - Old Towntrain
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane SAN - SBA
4h 36m$164–228Bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from Oceanside to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stopbus
- Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane LAX - SBA
5h 10m
Carlsbad to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara is to drive which costs $30 - $50 and takes 3h 11m.
The fastest way to get from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara is to drive which takes 3h 11m and costs $30 - $50.
No, there is no direct bus from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara. However, there are services departing from Oceanside and arriving at Carrillo & Anacapa via Los Angeles Airport, CA and Santa Barbara Airport. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 23m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Oceanside and arriving at Santa Barbara. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 4h 59m.
The distance between Carlsbad and Santa Barbara is 190 miles. The road distance is 182.2 miles.
The best way to get from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara without a car is to train which takes 4h 59m and costs $60 - $130.
The train from Oceanside to Santa Barbara takes 4h 59m including transfers and departs five times a day.
Carlsbad to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by reLAXsan, depart from Oceanside station.
Carlsbad to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Oceanside station.
The best way to get from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara is to train which takes 4h 59m and costs $60 - $130. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 6h 23m.
What companies run services between Carlsbad, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Oceanside to Santa Barbara 5 times a day. Tickets cost $60–130 and the journey takes 4h 59m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Oceanside to Carrillo & Anacapa via LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop, Los Angeles Airport, CA, and Santa Barbara Airport in around 6h 23m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–220
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 57 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $26–210
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Oceanside to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 59m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $60–130
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 760-966-6500
- [email protected]
- Website
- North County Transit District
Train from Carlsbad Village Station to San Diego - Old Town
- Ave. Duration
- 48 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–7
- Website
- North County Transit District
- Schedules at
- North County Transit District Schedules
- Adult
- $2–7
- Phone
- (858) 430-8440
- [email protected]
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
Bus from Oceanside to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
Bus from Oceanside to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
- Phone
- +1 800-470-8818
- [email protected]
- Website
- Central Coast Shuttle
Bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Barbara Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $70–85
- Website
- Central Coast Shuttle
- one way non-prepaid
- $75–85
- One-way prepaid 48 hours advance
- $70–80
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Carlsbad to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by reLAXsan, arrive at LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop station.
Carlsbad to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Yes, the driving distance between Carlsbad to Santa Barbara is 182 miles. It takes approximately 3h 11m to drive from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara.
Book your Carlsbad to Santa Barbara train tickets online with Omio.
There are 319+ hotels available in Santa Barbara.







