There are 5 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel by train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak), car, plane, or shuttle
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 Santa Barbara to Salinastrain Coast Starlight
6h 19m$151–251Fly to Monterey Regional Airport
cheapest- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane SBA - MRY
7h 14m$36–198Bus (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Salinasbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
- Take the bus from Salinas to Carmel Amtrak Bus Stopbus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
7h 30m$87–124Drive 221.8 mi
- Drive from Santa Barbara to Carmelcar 221.8 mi
4h 34m$41–59Fly to San Francisco International Airport, shuttle
- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane SBA - SFO
- Take a shuttle bus from SFO Airport Terminal 3-Lower Level to Monterey Shuttle Station
7h 19m$238–505
Santa Barbara to Carmel by bus (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel is to drive which costs $40 - $60 and takes 4h 34m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel is to drive which takes 4h 34m and costs $40 - $60.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara to Carmel. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop via Salinas. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 30m.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Barbara to Carmel. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at Salinas via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 19m.
The distance between Santa Barbara and Carmel is 276 miles. The road distance is 223.1 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel without a car is to train which takes 6h 19m and costs $150 - $260.
It takes approximately 6h 19m to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel, including transfers.
Santa Barbara to Carmel bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
Santa Barbara to Carmel train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel is to train which takes 6h 19m and costs $150 - $260. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $85 - $130 and takes 7h 30m, you could also fly, which costs $35 - $200 and takes 7h 14m.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Carmel, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to Salinas once daily. Tickets cost $80–170 and the journey takes 5h 49m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santa Barbara to Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop via Salinas in around 7h 30m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Monterey Regional Airport via San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–190
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Monterey Regional Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 46m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–190
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 18m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $23–160
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Monterey Regional Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $60–280
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Monterey Regional Airport via Seattle
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130–600
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to Salinas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 49m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $80–170
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Santa Barbara to Salinas
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $75–120
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Salinas to Carmel Amtrak Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $8–13
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 831-373-7777
- Website
- Groome Transportation
Shuttle from SFO Airport Terminal 3-Lower Level to Monterey Shuttle Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $55–70
- Schedules at
- Groome Transportation
- Standard Rate
- $55–70
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Barbara to Carmel bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Salinas station.
Santa Barbara to Carmel train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Salinas station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara to Carmel is 223 miles. It takes approximately 4h 34m to drive from Santa Barbara to Carmel.
Book your Santa Barbara to Carmel bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 200+ hotels available in Carmel.