There are 5 ways to get from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara by bus, tram, plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Line 934 bus, tram, fly
best- Take the bus from Palm Av & 9th St to Palm Av & Hollister Stbus
- Take the tram from Palm Avenue Station to Civic Center Stationtram
- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane SAN - SBA
4h 36m$82–244Bus via Los Angeles
cheapest- Take the bus from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Stationbus Tijuana
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus FlixBus 2005
7h 50m$40–68Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from San Diego Old Town Transportation Center to Santa Barbaratrain Pacific Surfliner
7h 51m$58–135Drive 226.3 mi
- Drive from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbaracar 226.3 mi
3h 59m$42–60Bus
- Take the bus from San Ysidro to Oxnardbus Lxus 3123
- Take the bus from Pacific View Mall to Figueroa at Chapalabus 82 / ...
12h$46–71
Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara is to drive which costs $40 - $60 and takes 3h 59m.
The fastest way to get from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara is to drive which takes 3h 59m and costs $40 - $60.
No, there is no direct bus from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara. However, there are services departing from Palm Av & 9th St and arriving at Santa Barbara Bus Stop via San Diego and Los Angeles Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 50m.
No, there is no direct train from Imperial Beach station to Santa Barbara. However, there are services departing from 12th & Imperial Station and arriving at Santa Barbara via San Diego Old Town Transportation Center. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 51m.
The distance between Imperial Beach and Santa Barbara is 219 miles. The road distance is 227.6 miles.
The best way to get from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara without a car is to bus via Los Angeles which takes 7h 50m and costs $35 - $70.
It takes approximately 4h 36m to get from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara, including transfers.
Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Greyhound Mexico, depart from San Diego station.
Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Diego Old Town Transportation Center station.
The best way to get from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara is to bus via Los Angeles which takes 7h 50m and costs $35 - $70. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $55 - $140 and takes 7h 51m.
What companies run services between Imperial Beach, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?
You can take a bus from Palm Av & 9th St to Santa Barbara Bus Stop via 12th & Imperial Transit Center, San Diego, and Los Angeles Union Station in around 7h 50m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from San Diego Old Town Transportation Center to Santa Barbara 5 times a day. Tickets cost $55–130 and the journey takes 5h 46m.
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–220
- Phone
- +1 619-557-4555
- Website
- MTS
Tram from Palm Avenue Station to Civic Center Station
- Ave. Duration
- 33 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–12
- Website
- MTS
- Schedules at
- MTS Schedules
- Phone
- +1 619-557-4555
- Website
- MTS
Bus from Palm Av & 9th St to Palm Av & Hollister St
- Ave. Duration
- 10 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2–5
- Website
- MTS
- Schedules at
- MTS Schedules
- One Way - Adult/Youth
- $2–5
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Greyhound Mexico, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Yes, the driving distance between Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara is 228 miles. It takes approximately 3h 59m to drive from Imperial Beach to Santa Barbara.
There are 326+ hotels available in Santa Barbara.



