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How to get fromSanta Barbara to Montereyby bus (Amtrak), train (Amtrak), car, plane, shuttle, train, or subway

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There are 9 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Monterey by bus (Amtrak), train (Amtrak), car, plane, shuttle, train, or subway

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus (Amtrak)

    best
    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Salinasbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    6h 36m
    $86–122

  2. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Monterey Regional Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane SBA - MRY
    6h 21m
    $30–175

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Salinastrain train Coast Starlight
    7h 10m
    $85–168

  4. Drive 232.4 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to Montereycar car 232.4 mi
    4h 22m
    $43–62

  5. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport, shuttle

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane SBA - SFO
    2. Take a shuttle bus from SFO Airport Terminal 3-Lower Level to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    6h 19m
    $236–432

  6. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane LAX - MRY
    7h 21m
    $304–783

  7. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, shuttle

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane LAX - SJC
    3. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    8h 19m
    $196–740

  8. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Oakland International Airport, BART, shuttle

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane SBA - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Milpitassubway subway
    3. Take a shuttle bus from SJC Airport Terminal A to Monterey Shuttle Stationshuttle bus
    6h 54m
    $336–496

  9. Train to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Monterey Regional Airport

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Van Nuystrain train
    2. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)plane plane BUR - MRY
    7h 1m
    $467–867

Santa Barbara to Monterey by bus (Amtrak)

Calendar21Weekly Buses
Duration6h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket$86Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to Monterey.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 257.3 mi
  • Duration: 6h 36m

What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Monterey, CA, USA?

Amtrak operates a bus from Santa Barbara to Salinas 3 times a day. Tickets cost $80–120 and the journey takes 5h 15m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to Salinas once daily. Tickets cost $80–170 and the journey takes 5h 49m.

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Bus operators

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