Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Santa Barbara

See all options

There are 8 ways to get from Madison to Santa Barbara by plane, bus, train, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), 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.

  1. Fly Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane MSN - SBA
    9h 28m
    $123–554

  2. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    2d 4h
    $1,281–2,046

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton Stbus 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 7h
    $432–655

  4. Drive  2,028.7 mi

    1. Drive from Madison to Santa Barbaracar car 2,028.7 mi
    32h 43m
    $371–535

  5. Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Take the bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to O'Hare International Airport - Terminal 1 Departuresbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane ORD - SBA
    10h 18m
    $125–512

  6. Fly Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Meadows Field Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Meadows Field Airport (BFL)plane plane MSN - BFL
    2. Take the bus from Bakersfield to Santa Barbarabus bus
    12h 3m

  7. Fly Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane MSN - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    12h 1m
    $154–515

  8. Fly Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, train

    1. Fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane MSN - BUR
    2. Take the train from Van Nuys to Santa Barbaratrain train
    12h 21m
    $193–736

Madison to Santa Barbara by bus and train

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration2d 4hAverage Duration
Ticket$1,281Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Madison to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,753.9 mi
  • Duration: 9h 28m

What companies run services between Madison, WI, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

American Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campus to Santa Barbara Bus Stop via W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St, Chicago Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station, and Los Angeles Union Station in around 2d 7h.

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