There are 4 ways to get from Salinas to Santa Barbara by bus (Amtrak), train (Amtrak), car, train, 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.
Bus (Amtrak)
best- Take the bus from Salinas to Santa Barbarabus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
6h 5m$85–120Drive 216.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from Salinas to Santa Barbaracar 216.8 mi
4h$40–58Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Salinas to Santa Barbaratrain Coast Starlight
6h 6m$80–170Train, Caltrain, fly
- Take the train from Salinas to San Josetrain
- Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain
- Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane SFO - SBA
6h 44m$228–498
Salinas to Santa Barbara by bus (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Salinas to Santa Barbara is to drive which costs $35 - $60 and takes 4h.
The fastest way to get from Salinas to Santa Barbara is to drive which takes 4h and costs $35 - $60.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Salinas and arriving at Santa Barbara. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 5m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Salinas and arriving at Santa Barbara. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 6m.
The distance between Salinas and Santa Barbara is 245 miles. The road distance is 218.1 miles.
The best way to get from Salinas to Santa Barbara without a car is to bus which takes 6h 5m and costs $85 - $120.
The bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara takes 6h 5m including transfers and departs three times a day.
Salinas to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Salinas station.
Salinas to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Salinas station.
The best way to get from Salinas to Santa Barbara is to bus which takes 6h 5m and costs $85 - $120. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $80 - $170 and takes 6h 6m.
What companies run services between Salinas, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a bus from Salinas to Santa Barbara 3 times a day. Tickets cost $85–120 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 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–210
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 25m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $40–240
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 Salinas to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 33m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $22–45
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- caltrain.com
Train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northbound
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $7–10
- Website
- https://www.caltrain.com
- Schedules at
- https://www.caltrain.com/?active_tab=route_explorer_tab
- One-way Adult
- $7–10
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
- $85–120
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
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
Salinas to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Salinas to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Yes, the driving distance between Salinas to Santa Barbara is 218 miles. It takes approximately 4h to drive from Salinas to Santa Barbara.
Book your Salinas to Santa Barbara train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Salinas to Santa Barbara bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 325+ hotels available in Santa Barbara.