There are 6 ways to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego by plane, bus, train (Amtrak), rideshare, car, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane SBA - SAN
50 min$75–220Drive 224.6 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diegocar 224.6 mi
3h 57m$41–60Bus
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Airport to Los Angeles Airport, CAbus
- Take the bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diegobus reLAXsan
6h 20m$126–193Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Goleta Station to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
6h 28m$70–160Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from Santa Barbara-SBA to San Diego224.6 mi
3h 57mBus, train
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Airport to Los Angeles Airport, CAbus
- Take the train from Los Angeles to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
7h 22m$113–181
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego by bus and tram
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego is to drive which costs $40 - $60 and takes 3h 57m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego is to fly which takes 50 min and costs $75 - $220.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara Airport and arriving at San Diego via LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 20m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Goleta Station station and arriving at San Diego. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 28m.
The distance between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) and San Diego is 193 miles. The road distance is 225.9 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego without a car is to bus which takes 6h 20m and costs $120 - $200.
It takes approximately 50 min to fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN), including transfers and time at the airport.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego bus services, operated by Central Coast Shuttle, depart from Santa Barbara Airport station.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Goleta Station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego is to fly which takes 50 min and costs $75 - $220. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $120 - $200 and takes 6h 20m, you could also train, which costs $70 - $160 and takes 6h 28m.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), USA and San Diego, CA, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Southwest Airlines fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santa Barbara Airport to Santa Fe Depot via Los Angeles Airport, CA, LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop, San Diego, and Old Town Station in around 6h 20m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 53 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $29–210
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Goleta Station to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 28m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $70–160
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 57m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $35–85
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 800-470-8818
- [email protected]
- Website
- Central Coast Shuttle
Bus from Santa Barbara Airport to Los Angeles Airport, CA
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 32m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $70–85
- Website
- Central Coast Shuttle
- one way non-prepaid
- $75–85
- One-way prepaid 48 hours advance
- $70–80
Bus from Santa Barbara Airport to Los Angeles Airport, CA
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 32m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $70–85
- Website
- Central Coast Shuttle
- one way non-prepaid
- $75–85
- One-way prepaid 48 hours advance
- $70–80
- Phone
- (858) 430-8440
- [email protected]
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
Bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
- Phone
- (323)-776-5467
- [email protected]
- Website
- LAX LINQ
Bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $55–110
- Website
- LAX LINQ
- Website
- https://www.mozio.com
Rideshare from Santa Barbara-SBA to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 57m
- 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.
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More Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport Airport to San Diego International Airport Airport is the direct flight which takes 50 min.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego bus services, operated by Central Coast Shuttle, arrive at Los Angeles Airport, CA station.
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at San Diego station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego is 226 miles. It takes approximately 3h 57m to drive from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego.
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Southwest Airlines offer flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport Airport to San Diego International Airport Airport.
Book your Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) to San Diego train tickets online with Omio.
There are 1886+ hotels available in San Diego.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) and San Diego. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.








