There are 4 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley by plane, train (Amtrak), 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 to San Diego International Airport
best- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane SBA - SAN
3h 4m$166–332Drive 198.6 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valleycar 198.6 mi
3h 31m$37–53Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to Solana Beach Amtrak Stationtrain Pacific Surfliner
5h 33m$143–213Fly to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport
- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD)plane SBA - CLD
6h 16m$126–377
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley is to drive which costs $35 - $55 and takes 3h 31m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley is to fly which takes 3h 4m and costs $160 - $340.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley station. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at Solana Beach Amtrak Station via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 5h 33m.
The distance between Santa Barbara and Carmel Valley is 222 miles. The road distance is 199.7 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley without a car is to train which takes 5h 33m and costs $140 - $220.
It takes approximately 3h 4m to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley, including transfers.
Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley is to fly which takes 3h 4m and costs $160 - $340. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $140 - $220 and takes 5h 33m.
Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Solana Beach Amtrak Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley is 200 miles. It takes approximately 3h 31m to drive from Santa Barbara to Carmel Valley.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Carmel Valley, San Diego County, 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, Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to Solana Beach Amtrak Station every 4 hours. Tickets cost $110–180 and the journey takes 5h 25m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $27–200
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport via San Francisco
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 54m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $50–280
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 49m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $95–420
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 44m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $55–290
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to Solana Beach Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $110–180
- Website
- Amtrak
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Booking & Getting There
There are 334+ hotels available in Carmel Valley.