There are 5 ways to get from Isla Vista to Santa Monica by bus, tram, train (Amtrak), car, 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.
Bus, tram
best- Take the bus from Isla Vista to Los Angeles Union Stationbus FlixBus 2005
- Take the tram from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram Metro E Line
2h 52mDrive 95.4 mi
cheapest- Drive from Isla Vista to Santa Monicacar 95.4 mi
1h 57m$18–26Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Goleta Station to Los Angelestrain Pacific Surfliner
5h 15m$40–81Fly, tram
- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane SBA - LAX
- Take the tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Stationtram
- Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram
3h 38m$344–508Bus
- Take the bus from Isla Vista to Los Angeles UCLAbus Ans 6241
3h 14m
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Isla Vista to Santa Monica is to drive which costs $17 - $26 and takes 1h 57m.
The fastest way to get from Isla Vista to Santa Monica is to drive which takes 1h 57m and costs $17 - $26.
No, there is no direct bus from Isla Vista to Santa Monica. However, there are services departing from Isla Vista and arriving at Lincoln Sb & Santa Monica Ns via Gayley Sb & Strathmore Fs. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 14m.
No, there is no direct train from Isla Vista station to Santa Monica station. However, there are services departing from Goleta Station and arriving at Downtown Santa Monica Station via Union Station - Metro B & D Lines and 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 15m.
The distance between Isla Vista and Santa Monica is 124 miles. The road distance is 95.9 miles.
The best way to get from Isla Vista to Santa Monica without a car is to bus and tram which takes 2h 52m and costs .
It takes approximately 2h 52m to get from Isla Vista to Santa Monica, including transfers.
Isla Vista to Santa Monica bus services, operated by American Star Tours, depart from Isla Vista station.
Isla Vista to Santa Monica train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Goleta Station.
The best way to get from Isla Vista to Santa Monica is to train which takes 5h 15m and costs $35 - $85. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 3h 14m.
What companies run services between Isla Vista, CA, USA and Santa Monica, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Goleta Station to Los Angeles every 4 hours. Tickets cost $35–75 and the journey takes 3h 7m. Alternatively, American Star Tours operates a bus from Isla Vista to Los Angeles UCLA once daily, and the journey takes 2h 15m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $17–140
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- metro.net
Tram from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines to Downtown Santa Monica Station
- Ave. Duration
- 47 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Station
- Ave. Duration
- 21 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Station
- Ave. Duration
- 26 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Goleta Station to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 7m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $35–75
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Isla Vista to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Website
- example.com
Bus from Isla Vista to Los Angeles UCLA
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- example.com
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Isla Vista to Santa Monica bus services, operated by American Star Tours, arrive at Los Angeles UCLA station.
Isla Vista to Santa Monica train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Yes, the driving distance between Isla Vista to Santa Monica is 96 miles. It takes approximately 1h 57m to drive from Isla Vista to Santa Monica.
There are 2890+ hotels available in Santa Monica.









