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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles usually takes around 7 hours and 48 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 100 mi (161 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $53.29 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles?
$53.29 is the average price of a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in December. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $42 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles in September, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $77 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 19 days in advance to save up to $75.37.
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 9h 34m | $109.21 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 3h 11m | $53.29 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles start at $53. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 1 trips per day from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 48 minutes to cover the 161 kilometers from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 10 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles. One bus is a direct connection, meaning that you can stay on the same vehicle for the entire trip, without having to transfer onto a connecting bus at any point.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles; ticket prices start at $36.89.
City Information
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a major travel destination along the southern coast of California. Dramatically situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara offers incomparable scenery with a comfortably warm climate year-round. White stucco buildings with Mediterranean-style architecture, gorgeous beaches, and upscale local cuisine give Santa Barbara the nickname "The American Riviera."
There are many kinds of vacations to enjoy in Santa Barbara. You can spend days on the soft sand of Leadbetter Beach, surfing in the swells at Rincon Point, or shopping for trinkets along Stearns Wharf. Or embrace the area's history by visiting the Mission Santa Barbara, a Spanish mission founded in 1786. Highlights from the mission include Spanish architecture, a rose garden, a museum, and even crypts.
Santa Barbara Airport, only a few miles from downtown, serves passengers to the region. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops in Santa Barbara on its way from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, with plenty of connections to other SoCal hotspots. Intercity buses, including FlixBus, offer routes from Santa Barbara to destinations like L.A., San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
Buses to Paso Robles leave from 12 stations in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Transportation Center
South Strip
Tour Bus Loading Zone
Denny's restaurant
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
718 West Ventura St
Tehachapi Park and Ride
685 N First Ave
Carl's Jr restaurant
1611 E Main St
Where does the bus arrive in Paso Robles?
Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 800 Pine St
All buses from Santa Barbara arrive at one main station in Paso Robles.
Bus stations in Paso Robles:
Intermodal Station - 800 Pine St
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