There are 6 ways to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara by bus (Amtrak), train (Amtrak), car, shuttle, 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.
Bus (Amtrak)
best- Take the bus from Salinas to Santa Barbarabus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
7h 58m$87–133Drive 232.1 mi
cheapest- Drive from Monterey to Santa Barbaracar 232.1 mi
4h 21m$43–62Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Salinas to Santa Barbaratrain Coast Starlight
7h 59m$82–173Shuttle to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Take a shuttle bus from Monterey Shuttle Station to SFO Airport International
- Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane SFO - SBA
6h 34m$240–430Fly Monterey Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, train
- Fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane MRY - LAX
- Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain
7h 21m$300–786Fly Monterey Regional Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, train
- Fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane MRY - BUR
- Take the train from Van Nuys to Santa Barbaratrain
6h 56m$466–867
Monterey to Santa Barbara by bus (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara is to drive which costs $40 - $65 and takes 4h 21m.
The fastest way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara is to drive which takes 4h 21m and costs $40 - $65.
No, there is no direct bus from Monterey to Santa Barbara. However, there are services departing from Tyler / Franklin and arriving at Santa Barbara via Salinas. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 58m.
No, there is no direct train from Monterey to Santa Barbara. However, there are services departing from Salinas and arriving at Santa Barbara via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 59m.
The distance between Monterey and Santa Barbara is 264 miles. The road distance is 233.5 miles.
The best way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara without a car is to bus which takes 7h 58m and costs $85 - $140.
It takes approximately 7h 58m to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara, including transfers.
Monterey to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Salinas station.
Monterey to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Salinas station.
The best way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara is to bus which takes 7h 58m and costs $85 - $140. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $80 - $180 and takes 7h 59m.
What companies run services between Monterey, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara 3 times a day. Tickets cost $85–130 and the journey takes 6h 5m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Salinas to Santa Barbara once daily. Tickets cost $80–170 and the journey takes 6h 6m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 24m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–210
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $35–230
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–240
- Website
- jsx.com
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–370
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Salinas to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 6m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $80–170
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 43m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $30–70
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Train from Van Nuys to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 12m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $27–55
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $85–130
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 831-373-7777
- Website
- groometransportation.com
Shuttle from Monterey Shuttle Station to SFO Airport International
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $55–70
- Schedules at
- groometransportation.com
- Standard Rate
- $55–70
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More Questions & Answers
Monterey to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Monterey to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Yes, the driving distance between Monterey to Santa Barbara is 234 miles. It takes approximately 4h 21m to drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara.
Book your Monterey to Santa Barbara train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Monterey to Santa Barbara bus tickets online with Omio.
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