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How to get fromSanta Barbara to Palm Desertby bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), train, bus, car, or plane

Find Transport to Palm Desert

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There are 6 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Palm Desert by bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), train, bus, car, or plane

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

    best
    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus FlixBus 2005
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Indio Bus Stationbus bus Greyhound US1000 / ...
    6h 36m
    $33–57

  2. Train, bus (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain train Pacific Surfliner
    2. Take the bus from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Palm Desert Amtrak Bus Stopbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    7h 22m
    $59–112

  3. Drive  215.1 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to Palm Desertcar car 215.1 mi
    3h 44m
    $40–57

  4. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)plane plane SBA - PSP
    5h 44m
    $74–262

  5. Train, bus via Fontana

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the train from L.A. Union Station to Fontanatrain train
    3. Take the bus from Fontana Metrolink Transit Center to Indio Bus Stationbus bus
    8h 58m
    $82–132

  6. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)plane plane LAX - PSP
    6h 13m
    $229–681

Santa Barbara to Palm Desert by bus and foot

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration6h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket$33Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to Palm Desert.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 232.4 mi
  • Duration: 6h 36m

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

You can take a bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Hwy 111 at San Luis Rey via Los Angeles Union Station, Indio Bus Station, and Hwy 111 at Golf Center Pkwy in around 6h 36m. Alternatively, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) every 2 hours.

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Need to know: Greyhound

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