There are 5 ways to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) 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
best- Take the bus from Salinas to Santa Barbarabus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
7h 58m$82–123Drive 232.5 mi
cheapest- Drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station)car 232.5 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 51m$250–500Fly 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 23m$310–786
Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) is to drive which costs $40 - $65 and takes 4h 21m.
The fastest way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) is to drive which takes 4h 21m and costs $40 - $65.
No, there is no direct bus from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station). 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 (Station). 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 (Station) is 264 miles. The road distance is 233.8 miles.
The best way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) without a car is to bus which takes 7h 58m and costs $80 - $130.
It takes approximately 7h 58m to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station), including transfers.
Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Salinas station.
Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Salinas station.
The best way to get from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) is to bus which takes 7h 58m and costs $80 - $130. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $80 - $180 and takes 7h 59m.
What companies run services between Monterey, CA, USA and Santa Barbara (Station), CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara 3 times a day. Tickets cost $80–120 and the journey takes 6h 5m. American Star Tours also services this route once daily. 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 23m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–210
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–210
Flights from Monterey Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport via San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–230
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
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
- $80–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Website
- example.com
Bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- example.com
- 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
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
More Questions & Answers
Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Yes, the driving distance between Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station) is 234 miles. It takes approximately 4h 21m to drive from Monterey to Santa Barbara (Station).
There are 325+ hotels available in Santa Barbara (Station).









