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

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

  1. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly

    best
    1. Take the train from San Mateo 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 2m
    $183–387

  2. Bus (Flixbus)

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus FlixBus 2005
    8h 4m
    $56–92

  3. Caltrain, train

    1. Take the train from San Mateo Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train Local Weekday / ...
    2. Take the train from San Jose to Santa Barbaratrain train Coast Starlight
    9h 35m
    $102–219

  4. Drive 304.8 mi

    1. Drive from San Mateo to Santa Barbaracar car 304.8 mi
    5h 32m
    $56–81

  5. Caltrain, tram, BART to Oakland International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from San Mateo Caltrain Northbound to San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Take the tram from King St & 4th St to Metro Embarcadero Stationtram tram
    3. Take the subway from Embarcadero to Coliseumsubway subway
    4. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane OAK - SBA
    5h 8m
    $294–439

  6. Caltrain, bus

    1. Take the train from San Mateo Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train Local Weekday / ...
    2. Take the bus from San Jose to Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stopbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    9h 28m
    $103–151

San Mateo to Santa Barbara by train and bus (Flixbus)

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration8h 4mAverage Duration
Ticket$56Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Mateo to Santa Barbara.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 277.7 mi
  • Duration: 4h 2m

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

Flixbus USA operates a bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Stop 4 times a week. Tickets cost $50–85 and the journey takes 6h 35m. Alternatively, you can take a train from San Mateo Caltrain Southbound to Santa Barbara via San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound and San Jose in around 9h 35m.

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