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How to get fromSan Francisco to Santa Barbaraby bus (Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, plane, bus (Amtrak), or subway

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

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

    best
    1. Take the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus FlixBus 2005
    6h 20m
    $50–90

  2. Caltrain, train

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train Local Weekday / ...
    2. Take the train from San Jose to Santa Barbaratrain train Coast Starlight
    10h 3m
    $110–222

  3. Drive 322.2 mi

    1. Drive from San Francisco to Santa Barbaracar car 322.2 mi
    5h 50m
    $59–85

  4. Fly from San Francisco International Airport

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane SFO - SBA
    4h 12m
    $201–444

  5. Bus via Lake Merritt (Amtrak)

    1. Take the bus from Oakland to Santa Barbarabus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    10h 38m
    $123–184

  6. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly

    1. Take the subway from Powell Street to Coliseumsubway subway
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane OAK - SBA
    4h 14m
    $287–430

San Francisco to Santa Barbara by bus

Calendar8Weekly Buses
Duration6h 20mAverage Duration
Ticket$50Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 324 mi
  • Duration: 6h 20m

What companies run services between San Francisco, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

FlixBus-us operates a bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Stop 4 times a week, and the journey takes 6h 20m. Flixbus USA also services this route 4 times a week. Alternatively, you can take a train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Barbara via San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound and San Jose in around 10h 3m.

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