5.0
Pros: Little transfer time. Cons: Sat next to big guy, but what you gonna do? Tips: Know when your bus is the day before.
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Trip Summary
3 trains operate daily from Santa Barbara to Fresno. The train trip from Santa Barbara to Fresno is usually about 9 hours and 45 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 6 hours and 17 minutes.
| Distance | 161 mi (259 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 17m |
| Lowest price | $60.73 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for trains from Santa Barbara to Fresno
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Fresno?
The average price for a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Fresno is $75.23, By booking your trip at least 15 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $4.62 more.
Monthly average prices
You can find the lowest prices on this route during September. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Santa Barbara to Fresno, with the average price at just $68. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in January, when the average price goes up to $94. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Santa Barbara to Fresno. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 15 days before departure, you can save around $4.62. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Fresno?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Fresno. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 9h 45m | $99.08 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Fresno every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $61.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the train is the main method of transportation from Santa Barbara to Fresno, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.
The distance between Santa Barbara and Fresno is approximately 161 miles, or 259 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 45 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 17 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.
Trains departing from Santa Barbara to Fresno tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. 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. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Fresno 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.
Fresno
Situated close to the center of California, Fresno’s location makes it the perfect hub for travelers who wish to explore the state, but it also has enough attractions on its own to keep visitors interested. One of the city’s most unique destinations is the Forestiere Underground Gardens. Built by a Sicilian immigrant, the gardens stay below the ground level so that citrus trees could grow, making it a unique sight that will capture the heart of nature lovers. Fresno has recently gone through a lot of changes in the field of agriculture, and the city’s love for homegrown produce is now one of its attractions. As you explore the city, don’t hesitate to make a slight detour to Riverdance Farm, a local organic farm where you can pick ripened blueberries and cherries to your heart’s content. For fans of cultural activities, the Fresno Art Museum offers unique artworks created mostly by local artists.
Fresno restaurants are famous for their fresh homegrown produce, and Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is where you can try local staples. If you want to cook yourself, Fresno Farmers’ Market will be a great choice.
Fresno’s main bus and train station is the Santa Fe Passenger Depot located at 2650 Tulare St. From there, you can take buses from various carriers or hop on a train on Amtrak’s San Joaquins line. The Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the city’s main airport and it is located not too far from the city center.
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 Fresno?
Image credit: Ron Reiring
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Mattias Thorslund
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St
The Santa Fe Station is a historic train station and transportation hub in Fresno. The station opened in 1899 and was originally owned by the Santa Fe Railway, hence the misleading “Santa Fe” name for a station in Fresno. Passengers can board the Amtrak San Joaquins train to Oakland, Sacramento, or Bakersfield from this station, and bus service from Amtrak Thruway and Jefferson Lines also stops at this location. The Santa Fe station is just steps away from Fresno’s City Hall, the Meux Home Museum, and the Fresno Convention Center, making this station a convenient entry point to Fresno.
Train stations in Fresno:
Santa Fe Station - 2650 Tulare St
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