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

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

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 to San Francisco International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane SBA - SFO
    3h 29m
    $190–444

  2. Bus (Flixbus)

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to San Franciscobus bus FlixBus 2005
    6h 40m
    $50–90

  3. Train, Caltrain

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Josetrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to San Francisco Caltrain Northboundtrain train Local Weekday / ...
    8h 58m
    $114–223

  4. Drive 322.6 mi

    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to San Franciscocar car 322.6 mi
    5h 51m
    $59–85

  5. Fly to Oakland International Airport, BART

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane SBA - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Powell Streetsubway subway
    3h 39m
    $286–430

  6. Bus via Lake Merritt (Amtrak)

    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Oaklandbus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    8h 50m
    $125–175

Santa Barbara to San Francisco by bus (Flixbus)

Calendar4Weekly Buses
Duration6h 40mAverage Duration
Ticket$50Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to San Francisco.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 285.6 mi
  • Duration: 3h 29m

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

United Airlines flies from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 5 times a day. Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to San Francisco 4 times a week. Tickets cost $50–90 and the journey takes 6h 40m.

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