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How to get fromPalm Desert to Santa Barbaraby bus, train, bus (Flixbus), car, or plane

Find Transport to Santa Barbara

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There are 7 ways to get from Palm Desert to Santa Barbara by bus, train, bus (Flixbus), 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.

  1. Bus, train (Amtrak)

    best
    1. Take the bus from Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stop to Fullerton Amtrak Stationbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Santa Barbaratrain train Pacific Surfliner
    7h 25m

  2. Bus (Flixbus)

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivalsbus bus FlixBus 2054
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus FlixBus 2005
    7h 27m
    $34–53

  3. Drive  215.2 mi

    1. Drive from Palm Desert to Santa Barbaracar car 215.2 mi
    3h 44m
    $40–57

  4. Fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane PSP - SBA
    5h 41m
    $83–318

  5. Bus, train via Los Angeles

    1. Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivalsbus bus FlixBus 2054
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train Pacific Surfliner / ...
    7h 54m
    $74–120

  6. Bus, train via Los Angeles #2

    1. Take the bus from Indio Bus Station to El Monte Bus Stopbus bus Greyhound US1000 / ...
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train Pacific Surfliner / ...
    9h 5m
    $76–123

  7. Fly to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane PSP - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    6h 3m
    $259–709

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) flights

Calendar62Weekly Planes
Duration5h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$36Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Palm Desert to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 231.5 mi
  • Duration: 7h 25m

What companies run services between Palm Desert, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Hwy 111 at San Luis Rey to Santa Barbara Bus Stop via Hwy 111 & Golf Center Pkwy, Indio Bus Station, Los Angeles Union Station Arrivals, and Los Angeles Union Station in around 7h 27m. Alternatively, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) every 3 hours.

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