There are 4 ways to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego by plane, train (Amtrak), bus (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.
Fly
best- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)plane SBA - SAN
2h 36m$160–222Drive 214.7 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Barbara to San Diegocar 214.7 mi
3h 47m$40–57Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Diegotrain Pacific Surfliner
6h 10m$75–150Bus
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Los Angelesbus Ans 6241
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diegobus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
6h 25m
Santa Barbara to San Diego by train (Amtrak)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego is to drive which costs $35 - $60 and takes 3h 47m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego is to fly which takes 2h 36m and costs $160 - $230.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at San Diego via Los Angeles. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 25m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Santa Barbara and arriving at San Diego. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 6h 10m.
The distance between Santa Barbara and San Diego is 202 miles. The road distance is 216 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego without a car is to train which takes 6h 10m and costs $75 - $150.
It takes approximately 2h 36m to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego, including transfers.
Santa Barbara to San Diego bus services, operated by American Star Tours, depart from Santa Barbara station.
Santa Barbara to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Santa Barbara station.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego is to fly which takes 2h 36m and costs $160 - $230. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $75 - $150 and takes 6h 10m, you could also bus, which costs and takes 6h 25m.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and San Diego, CA, USA?
Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Southwest Airlines fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) 5 times a day. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Santa Barbara to San Diego every 4 hours. Tickets cost $75–150 and the journey takes 6h 10m.
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–220
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 53 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 10m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $75–150
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Website
- example.com
Bus from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Schedules at
- example.com
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from Los Angeles to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40–65
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Barbara to San Diego bus services, operated by American Star Tours, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Santa Barbara to San Diego train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at San Diego station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara to San Diego is 216 miles. It takes approximately 3h 47m to drive from Santa Barbara to San Diego.
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Book your Santa Barbara to San Diego bus tickets online with Omio.
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