There are 5 ways to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto by plane, train, bus (Amtrak), train (Amtrak), rideshare, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly, Caltrain
best- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SBA - SFO
- Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southboundtrain
2h 13m$187–382Drive 289.7 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Altocar 289.7 mi
5h 20m$53–77Bus (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop to San Josebus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
8h$100–149Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Josetrain Coast Starlight
8h 18m$147–267Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from Santa Barbara-SBA to Palo Alto289.7 mi
5h 20m
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto by bus and train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto is to drive which costs $50 - $80 and takes 5h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto is to fly and Caltrain which takes 2h 13m and costs $180 - $390.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from Moffett & Goleta Beach and arriving at San Jose via Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at California Avenue Caltrain Northbound via San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 18m.
The distance between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) and Palo Alto is 284 miles. The road distance is 291.3 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto without a car is to bus which takes 8h and costs $100 - $150.
It takes approximately 2h 13m to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto, including transfers.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop station.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto is to bus which takes 8h and costs $100 - $150. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $140 - $270 and takes 8h 18m.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), USA and Palo Alto, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a bus from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop to San Jose 3 times a day. Tickets cost $95–140 and the journey takes 6h 10m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to San Jose once daily. Tickets cost $100–210 and the journey takes 7h 25m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $23–160
- Phone
- +1 800-660-4287
- Website
- Cal Train
Train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southbound
- Ave. Duration
- 31 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $5–7
- Website
- Cal Train
- Schedules at
- Cal Train
- One-way Adult
- $5–7
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $100–210
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Uc Santa Barbara Amtrak Bus Stop to San Jose
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $95–140
- Website
- Amtrak
- Website
- https://www.mozio.com
Rideshare from Santa Barbara-SBA to Palo Alto
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- Frequency
- On demand
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at San Jose station.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at San Jose station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto is 291 miles. It takes approximately 5h 20m to drive from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to Palo Alto.
There are 485+ hotels available in Palo Alto.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) and Palo Alto. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.









