There are 5 ways to get from Montecito to Palo Alto by train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak), car, bus, plane, 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.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Josetrain Coast Starlight
8h 13m$195–300Drive 296.2 mi
cheapest- Drive from Montecito to Palo Altocar 296.2 mi
5h 24m$55–79Bus (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop to San Josebus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
9h 20mLine 14 bus to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain
- Take the bus from East Valley & San Ysidro to Transit Centerbus
- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SBA - SFO
- Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southboundtrain
5h 2m$164–402Train to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to Van Nuystrain
- Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane BUR - SJC
7h 2m$548–866
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Montecito to Palo Alto is to drive which costs $50 - $80 and takes 5h 24m.
The fastest way to get from Montecito to Palo Alto is to line 14 bus and fly and Caltrain which takes 5h 2m and costs $160 - $410.
No, there is no direct bus from Montecito to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from East Valley & San Ysidro and arriving at San Jose via Transit Center and Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 20m.
No, there is no direct train from Montecito to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at California Avenue Caltrain Northbound via San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 13m.
The distance between Montecito and Palo Alto is 342 miles. The road distance is 297.9 miles.
The best way to get from Montecito to Palo Alto without a car is to train which takes 8h 13m and costs $190 - $300.
It takes approximately 8h 13m to get from Montecito to Palo Alto, including transfers.
Montecito to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop station.
Montecito to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
The best way to get from Montecito to Palo Alto is to train which takes 8h 13m and costs $190 - $300. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs and takes 9h 20m.
What companies run services between Montecito, CA, USA and Palo Alto, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to San Jose once daily. Tickets cost $170–270 and the journey takes 7h 25m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a bus from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop to San Jose 3 times a day, and the journey takes 6h 10m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Burbank Bob Hope Airport to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $35–260
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $23–160
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $170–270
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to Van Nuys
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 14m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $45–75
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 31 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $5–7
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $5–7
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 805-963-3366
- Website
- Santa Barbara MTD
Bus from East Valley & San Ysidro to Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 42 min
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Schedules at
- Santa Barbara MTD
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
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
Montecito to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at San Jose station.
Montecito to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at San Jose station.
Yes, the driving distance between Montecito to Palo Alto is 298 miles. It takes approximately 5h 24m to drive from Montecito to Palo Alto.
There are 486+ hotels available in Palo Alto.