Rome2Rio

How to get fromCarmel Valley to Santa Barbaraby train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak), car, taxi, tram, plane, or bus

Find Transport to Santa Barbara

See all options

There are 7 ways to get from Carmel Valley to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak), car, taxi, tram, plane, or bus

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Train (Amtrak)

    best
    1. Take the train from Solana Beach Amtrak Station to Santa Barbaratrain train Pacific Surfliner
    5h 25m
    $96–177

  2. Drive 198.4 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Carmel Valley to Santa Barbaracar car 198.4 mi
    3h 31m
    $37–53

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Solana Beach Amtrak Station to Los Angelesbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbarabus bus Ans 6238
    6h 29m

  4. Taxi, tram to San Diego International Airport, fly

    1. Take the taxi from Carmel Valley to UCSD Health La Jolla Stationtaxi taxi
    2. Take the tram from UCSD Health La Jolla Station to Old Town Stationtram tram
    3. Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane SAN - SBA
    4h 18m
    $196–274

  5. Bus via Los Angeles Airport (LAX)

    1. Take the bus from Sorrento Valley/Del Mar to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stopbus bus reLAXsan
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Barbara Airportbus bus
    6h 53m
    $140–214

  6. Fly from Mcclellan–Palomar Airport

    1. Fly from Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane CLD - SBA
    5h 58m
    $133–393

  7. Bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly

    1. Take the bus from Sorrento Valley/Del Mar to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stopbus bus
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane LAX - SBA
    5h 39m
    $410–629

San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) flights

Calendar34Weekly Planes
Duration1h 7mAverage Duration
Ticket$33Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Carmel Valley to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 210.1 mi
  • Duration: 5h 25m

What companies run services between Carmel Valley, San Diego County, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

Amtrak operates a train from Solana Beach Amtrak Station to Santa Barbara 5 times a day. Tickets cost $65–140 and the journey takes 5h 16m. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Carmel Valley to Santa Barbara via Solana Beach Amtrak Station and Los Angeles in around 6h 29m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Other operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

More Questions & Answers