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

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There are 7 ways to get from San Jose to Santa Barbara by bus (Amtrak, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, train, plane, 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 Jose to Santa Barbarabus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    7h 5m
    $45–150

  2. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Santa Barbaratrain train Coast Starlight
    7h 46m
    $100–210

  3. Drive 274.6 mi

    1. Drive from San Jose to Santa Barbaracar car 274.6 mi
    5h 4m
    $51–73

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

    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon 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 51m
    $207–452

  5. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Coliseumsubway subway
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane OAK - SBA
    4h 34m
    $290–434

  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 7m
    $150–686

  7. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, train

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane SJC - BUR
    2. Take the train from Van Nuys to Santa Barbaratrain train
    6h 42m
    $526–816

San Jose to Santa Barbara by bus

Calendar32Weekly Buses
Duration7h 5mAverage Duration
Ticket$45Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Jose to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 303.2 mi
  • Duration: 7h 5m

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

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

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Train operators
Bus operators

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