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

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

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 to San Josebus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    7h 27m
    $58–154

  2. Drive 252.7 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruzcar car 252.7 mi
    4h 44m
    $47–67

  3. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Josetrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    8h 27m
    $112–225

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

    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 Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    5h 24m
    $206–468

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

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane SBA - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    5h 31m
    $300–454

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

    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
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    7h 49m
    $156–705

  7. Train to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Van Nuystrain train
    2. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane BUR - SJC
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    7h 32m
    $539–838

  8. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    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
    3. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    8h 31m
    $140–297

Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz by bus

Calendar29Weekly Buses
Duration7h 27mAverage Duration
Ticket$58Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 328.2 mi
  • Duration: 7h 27m

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

You can take a bus from Santa Barbara to Soquel Ave & Front via San Jose and Diridon Station in around 7h 27m.

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Train operators
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