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How to get fromChicago to Santa Barbaraby plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, or train

Find Transport to Santa Barbara

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There are 9 ways to get from Chicago to Santa Barbara by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), car, or train

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

  1. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane ORD - SBA
    8h 3m
    $104–467

  2. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train Pacific Surfliner / ...
    47h 15m
    $1,282–1,973

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus
    2d 2h
    $407–598

  4. Drive  2,084.2 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Santa Barbaracar car 2,084.2 mi
    33h 10m
    $381–550

  5. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane MDW - SBA
    9h 16m
    $164–707

  6. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane MDW - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    10h 40m
    $194–708

  7. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane ORD - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    10h 55m
    $164–468

  8. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane MDW - BUR
    2. Take the train from Van Nuys to Santa Barbaratrain train
    10h 31m
    $244–939

  9. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Long Beach Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Long Beach Airport (LGB)plane plane MDW - LGB
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    12h 5m
    $214–801

Chicago to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Trains
Duration47h 15mAverage Duration
Ticket$1,282Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Chicago to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,825.9 mi
  • Duration: 8h 3m

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

United Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to Santa Barbara via Los Angeles in around 47h 15m.

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Want to know more about travelling around United States

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