There are 4 ways to get from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak, Flixbus), car, or bus
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbaratrain Pacific Surfliner / ...
2h 41m$35–80Bus via Santa Maria
cheapest- Take the bus from Government Center to Santa Maria Transit Centerbus 10S
- Take the bus from Santa Maria Transit Center to Anacapa at Anapamubus Midday
3h 43m$10–11Bus
- Take the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbarabus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
2h 50m$18–55Drive 91 mi
- Drive from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbaracar 91 mi
1h 49m$17–24
San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is to bus via Santa Maria which costs $9 - $12 and takes 3h 43m.
The fastest way to get from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is to drive which takes 1h 49m and costs $16 - $24.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from San Luis Obispo and arriving at Santa Barbara. Services depart three times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 50m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from San Luis Obispo and arriving at Santa Barbara. Services depart four times a day, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 41m.
The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is 119 miles. The road distance is 91.5 miles.
The best way to get from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara without a car is to train which takes 2h 41m and costs $35 - $80.
The train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara takes 2h 41m including transfers and departs four times a day.
San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Luis Obispo station.
San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Luis Obispo station.
The best way to get from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is to train which takes 2h 41m and costs $35 - $80. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $18 - $55 and takes 2h 50m.
What companies run services between San Luis Obispo, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara 4 times a day. Tickets cost $35–80 and the journey takes 2h 41m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara 3 times a day. Tickets cost $35–55 and the journey takes 2h 50m. Flixbus USA also services this route 4 times a week.
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 41m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–80
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $35–55
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com
Bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $18–35
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Website
- slorta.org
Bus from Government Center to Santa Maria Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $2–4
- Website
- https://www.slorta.org
- Phone
- (805) 692-1902
- [email protected]
- Website
- cleanairexpress.com
Bus from Santa Maria Transit Center to Anacapa at Anapamu
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 39m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $7–8
- Website
- https://cleanairexpress.com/
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More Questions & Answers
San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is 92 miles. It takes approximately 1h 49m to drive from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.
Book your San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara train tickets online with Omio.
Book your San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara bus tickets online with Omio and FlixBus.
There are 325+ hotels available in Santa Barbara.







