Rome2Rio

How to get fromPalo Alto to Santa Barbaraby train, plane, bus, train (Amtrak), car, or bus (Amtrak, Flixbus)

Find Transport to Santa Barbara

See all options

There are 6 ways to get from Palo Alto to Santa Barbara by train, plane, bus, train (Amtrak), car, or bus (Amtrak, Flixbus)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    best
    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane SFO - SBA
    4h 27m
    $205–450

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from San Jose to Santa Barbarabus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    8h 30m
    $50–156

  3. Caltrain, bus

    1. Take the train from California Avenue Caltrain Northbound to San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain train Local Weekday / ...
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus FlixBus 2005
    8h 14m
    $58–99

  4. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Santa Barbaratrain train Coast Starlight
    9h 11m
    $105–216

  5. Drive 291.4 mi

    1. Drive from Palo Alto to Santa Barbaracar car 291.4 mi
    5h 19m
    $54–77

  6. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane SJC - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    7h 44m
    $155–692

Palo Alto to Santa Barbara by train and bus

Calendar8Weekly Services
Duration8h 14mAverage Duration
Ticket$58Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Palo Alto to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 291.6 mi
  • Duration: 4h 27m

What companies run services between Palo Alto, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

Amtrak operates a train from San Jose to Santa Barbara once daily. Tickets cost $100–210 and the journey takes 7h 46m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara 3 times a day. Tickets cost $100–150 and the journey takes 7h 5m. Three other operators also service this route.

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

More Questions & Answers