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Trip Summary
3 trains operate daily from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad. The train trip from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad is usually about 6 hours long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can get you there in as little as 5 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 161 mi (258 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 0m |
| Lowest price | $57.31 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad?
2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 6h 11m | $71.38 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 2 | 5h 45m | $57.31 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $71.
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 2 train trips from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $57.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Santa Barbara and Carlsbad is approximately 161 miles, or 258 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 10 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Friday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 12:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Santa Barbara to Carlsbad. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Carlsbad to Santa Barbara.
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 is the train station in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
There is one train station in Santa Barbara.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Where is the train station in Carlsbad?
Main arrival station: 2775 State St - Coaster Station
Carlsbad has one train station.
Train stations in Carlsbad:
2775 State St - Coaster Station
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