There are 3 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Lake Forest by 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.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Santa Barbara to Irvinetrain Pacific Surfliner
4h 14m$45–100Drive 139.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Barbara to Lake Forestcar 139.8 mi
2h 30m$26–37Bus
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Stationbus FlixBus 2005
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to Irvinebus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
4h 55m$31–48
Santa Barbara to Lake Forest by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara to Lake Forest is to drive which costs $25 - $40 and takes 2h 30m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara to Lake Forest is to drive which takes 2h 30m and costs $25 - $40.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara to Lake Forest. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara Bus Stop and arriving at Irvine via Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 4h 55m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at Irvine. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 4h 14m.
The distance between Santa Barbara and Lake Forest is 148 miles. The road distance is 140.6 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Lake Forest without a car is to train which takes 4h 14m and costs $45 - $100.
The train from Santa Barbara to Irvine takes 4h 14m including transfers and departs every four hours.
Santa Barbara to Lake Forest bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Santa Barbara Bus Stop station.
Santa Barbara to Lake Forest train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Lake Forest is to train which takes 4h 14m and costs $45 - $100. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $30 - $50 and takes 4h 55m.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Lake Forest, Orange County, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to Irvine every 4 hours. Tickets cost $45–100 and the journey takes 4h 14m. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Irvine via Los Angeles Union Station and Los Angeles in around 4h 55m.
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Santa Barbara to Irvine
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 14m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $45–100
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com
Bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $15–25
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Los Angeles to Irvine
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–23
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Barbara to Lake Forest bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station.
Santa Barbara to Lake Forest train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Irvine station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara to Lake Forest is 141 miles. It takes approximately 2h 30m to drive from Santa Barbara to Lake Forest.
Book your Santa Barbara to Lake Forest train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Santa Barbara to Lake Forest bus tickets online with Omio.
There are 906+ hotels available in Lake Forest.







