Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Santa Barbara

See all options

There are 9 ways to get from East Lansing to Santa Barbara by plane, train, train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak, Flixbus, Greyhound), car, 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. Fly Capital Region International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    best
    1. Fly from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane LAN - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    12h 17m
    $183–553

  2. Bus to Gerald R. Ford International Airport, fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from East Lansing to Grand Rapidsbus bus
    2. Fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane GRR - SBA
    12h 29m
    $148–635

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    2d 5h
    $1,366–2,171

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus
    2d 8h

  5. Drive  2,287.7 mi

    1. Drive from East Lansing to Santa Barbaracar car 2,287.7 mi
    36h 33m
    $405–584

  6. Bus to Detroit, fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Detroit Metro Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane DTW - SBA
    11h 11m
    $221–934

  7. Fly Capital Region International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane LAN - SBA
    10h 30m
    $157–632

  8. Bus to Detroit, fly to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Detroit Metro Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane DTW - LAX
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    12h 28m
    $272–685

  9. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Take the train from East Lansing Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane ORD - SBA
    13h 18m
    $217–631

East Lansing to Santa Barbara by bus and train (Amtrak)

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 5hAverage Duration
Ticket$1,366Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from East Lansing to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 2,041.4 mi
  • Duration: 12h 17m

What companies run services between East Lansing, MI, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from WBD Gr. River past MAC AVE to Santa Barbara via Capital Area Multimodal Gateway, East Lansing Amtrak Station, Chicago Union Station, and Los Angeles in around 2d 5h. Alternatively, you can take a bus from WBD Gr. River past MAC AVE to Santa Barbara Bus Stop via East Lansing Amtrak Station, Chicago Union Station, Chicago Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station, and Los Angeles Union Station in around 2d 8h.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus 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

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There