There are 4 ways to get from San Diego to Goleta by plane, train (Amtrak), bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane SAN - SBA
1h 30m$162–219Drive 223.1 mi
cheapest- Drive from San Diego to Goletacar 223.1 mi
3h 55m$41–59Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from San Diego to Goleta Stationtrain Pacific Surfliner
6h 11m$75–160Bus
- Take the bus from San Diego to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stopbus reLAXsan
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Barbara Airportbus
7h 12m$129–189
San Diego to Goleta by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Diego to Goleta is to drive which costs $40 - $60 and takes 3h 55m.
The fastest way to get from San Diego to Goleta is to fly which takes 1h 30m and costs $160 - $220.
No, there is no direct bus from San Diego to Goleta. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at Santa Barbara Airport via Los Angeles Airport, CA. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 12m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from San Diego and arriving at Goleta Station station. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 11m.
The distance between San Diego and Goleta is 194 miles. The road distance is 224.4 miles.
The best way to get from San Diego to Goleta without a car is to train which takes 6h 11m and costs $75 - $160.
It takes approximately 1h 30m to get from San Diego to Goleta, including transfers.
San Diego to Goleta bus services, operated by reLAXsan, depart from San Diego station.
San Diego to Goleta train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Diego station.
The best way to get from San Diego to Goleta is to fly which takes 1h 30m and costs $160 - $220. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $75 - $160 and takes 6h 11m, you could also bus, which costs $120 - $190 and takes 7h 12m.
What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Goleta, CA, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Southwest Airlines fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) 3 times a day. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from San Diego to Goleta Station 5 times a day. Tickets cost $75–160 and the journey takes 6h 11m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–230
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 12m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from San Diego to Goleta Station
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 11m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $75–160
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- (858) 430-8440
- [email protected]
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
Bus from San Diego to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Website
- https://www.gorelaxsan.com/
- Phone
- (323)-776-5467
- [email protected]
- Website
- laxlinq.com
Bus from San Diego to LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $55–110
- Website
- https://laxlinq.com/
- Phone
- +1 800-470-8818
- [email protected]
- Website
- centralcoastshuttle.com
Bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Barbara Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $70–85
- Website
- https://www.centralcoastshuttle.com
- one way non-prepaid
- $75–85
- One-way prepaid 48 hours advance
- $70–80
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
San Diego to Goleta bus services, operated by reLAXsan, arrive at LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop station.
San Diego to Goleta train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Goleta Station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Diego to Goleta is 224 miles. It takes approximately 3h 55m to drive from San Diego to Goleta.
Book your San Diego to Goleta train tickets online with Omio.
Book your San Diego to Goleta bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 231+ hotels available in Goleta.








