There are 5 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (Flixbus, 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
best- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane SBA - SAN
3h 31m$162–227Drive 214.5 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diegocar 214.5 mi
3h 46m$40–57Train via 11th Av & Broadway (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
6h 28m$75–156Bus
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Stationbus FlixBus 2005
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diegobus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
6h 54m$55–85Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
6h 34m$70–160
Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego by train, bus, and foot (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego is to drive which costs $35 - $60 and takes 3h 46m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego is to fly which takes 3h 31m and costs $160 - $230.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara Bus Stop and arriving at San Diego via Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 54m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at San Diego. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 10m.
The distance between Santa Barbara and Downtown San Diego is 209 miles. The road distance is 215.7 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego without a car is to train via 11th Av & Broadway which takes 6h 28m and costs $75 - $160.
It takes approximately 3h 31m to get from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego, including transfers.
Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Santa Barbara Bus Stop station.
Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego is to fly which takes 3h 31m and costs $160 - $230. Alternatively, you can train via 11th Av & Broadway, which costs $75 - $160 and takes 6h 28m, you could also bus, which costs $55 - $85 and takes 6h 54m.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Downtown 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, Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to San Diego every 4 hours. Tickets cost $70–160 and the journey takes 6h 10m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 53 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $70–160
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $70–160
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $15–25
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40–60
- Website
- Amtrak
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at San Diego station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego is 216 miles. It takes approximately 3h 46m to drive from Santa Barbara to Downtown San Diego.
There are 1884+ hotels available in Downtown San Diego.







