There are 5 ways to get from San Diego to Santa Barbara by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), car, or bus (Amtrak)
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
2h 23m$162–219Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Stationbus Tijuana
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus FlixBus 2005
6h 5m$40–65Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from San Diego to Santa Barbaratrain Pacific Surfliner
5h 55m$75–150Drive 214.8 mi
- Drive from San Diego to Santa Barbaracar 214.8 mi
3h 47m$40–57Bus via San Diego
- Take the bus from San Diego to Los Angelesbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbarabus Ans 6238
6h 50m
San Diego to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Diego to Santa Barbara is to drive which costs $35 - $60 and takes 3h 47m.
The fastest way to get from San Diego to Santa Barbara is to fly which takes 2h 23m and costs $160 - $220.
No, there is no direct bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara. However, there are services departing from San Diego and arriving at Santa Barbara Bus Stop via Los Angeles Union Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 5m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from San Diego and arriving at Santa Barbara. Services depart five times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 5h 55m.
The distance between San Diego and Santa Barbara is 202 miles. The road distance is 216.1 miles.
The best way to get from San Diego to Santa Barbara without a car is to train which takes 5h 55m and costs $75 - $150.
It takes approximately 2h 23m to get from San Diego to Santa Barbara, including transfers.
San Diego to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Greyhound Mexico, depart from San Diego station.
San Diego to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Diego station.
The best way to get from San Diego to Santa Barbara is to fly which takes 2h 23m and costs $160 - $220. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $75 - $150 and takes 5h 55m, you could also bus, which costs $40 - $70 and takes 6h 5m.
What companies run services between San Diego, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Southwest Airlines fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) 5 times a day. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from San Diego to Santa Barbara 5 times a day. Tickets cost $75–150 and the journey takes 5h 55m.
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from San Diego International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–220
- 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
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from San Diego to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $75–150
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
.jpg "Pacific Surfliner interior")
- Phone
- +1-800-231-2222
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com.mx
Bus from San Diego to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $23–40
- Schedules at
- greyhound.com.mx
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $16–27
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Website
- example.com
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Schedules at
- example.com
Bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Schedules at
- example.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from San Diego to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40–65
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
San Diego to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Greyhound Mexico, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
San Diego to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Diego to Santa Barbara is 216 miles. It takes approximately 3h 47m to drive from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
Book your San Diego to Santa Barbara train tickets online with Omio.
Book your San Diego to Santa Barbara bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 326+ hotels available in Santa Barbara.