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How to get fromSanta Barbara to San Carlosby plane, train, bus (Amtrak, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, subway, tram, bus, or bus (Flixbus)

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There are 8 ways to get from Santa Barbara to San Carlos by plane, train, bus (Amtrak, Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, subway, tram, bus, or bus (Flixbus)

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 San Carlos Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3h 47m
    $182–389

  2. Bus via San Jose

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to San Josebus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    7h 24m
    $52–148

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Josetrain train Coast Starlight
    8h 24m
    $106–217

  4. Drive 300 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to San Carloscar car 300 mi
    5h 27m
    $55–80

  5. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Oakland International Airport, BART, tram, Caltrain

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane SBA - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Embarcaderosubway subway
    3. Take the tram from Metro Embarcadero Station to King St & 4th Sttram tram
    4. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to San Carlos Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    4h 53m
    $294–440

  6. Bus to Meadows Field Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport

    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Bakersfieldbus bus
    2. Fly from Meadows Field Airport (BFL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane BFL - SFO
    6h 59m
    $118–339

  7. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane LAX - SFO
    6h 54m
    $126–277

  8. Bus (Flixbus)

    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to San Franciscobus bus FlixBus 2005
    7h 37m
    $56–89

Santa Barbara to San Carlos by bus and train

Calendar25Weekly Services
Duration7h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket$52Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to San Carlos.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 283.3 mi
  • Duration: 3h 47m

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

Amtrak operates a bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose 3 times a day. Tickets cost $100–140 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 $95–210 and the journey takes 7h 25m.

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