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How to get fromSanta Barbara to Palo Altoby plane, train, bus (Amtrak, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, or bus

Find Transport to Palo Alto

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There are 6 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Palo Alto by plane, train, bus (Amtrak, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, or bus

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

  1. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain

    best
    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane SBA - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3h 59m
    $164–390

  2. Bus

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to San Josebus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    7h 6m
    $50–101

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Josetrain train Coast Starlight
    8h 6m
    $84–198

  4. Drive  291.8 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to Palo Altocar car 291.8 mi
    5h 20m
    $54–77

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

    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
    7h 3m
    $150–684

  6. Bus, Caltrain

    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to San Franciscobus bus FlixBus 2005
    2. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to California Avenue Caltrain Southboundtrain train Local Weekday / ...
    7h 49m
    $56–83

Santa Barbara to Palo Alto by bus and train

Calendar25Weekly Services
Duration7h 6mAverage Duration
Ticket$50Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to Palo Alto.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 292 mi
  • Duration: 3h 59m

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

Amtrak operates a bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose 3 times a day. Tickets cost $60–95 and the journey takes 6h 25m. Flixbus USA also services this route 4 times a week. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to San Jose once daily. Tickets cost $75–200 and the journey takes 7h 25m.

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