Trains from Santa Barbara to Oakland
Lowest Prices
We partner with the top bus & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
No Wanderu Fees
Without any extra fees, we make it easy to book your tickets.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Trip Summary
There are 4 daily trains from Santa Barbara to Oakland. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Oakland usually takes around 11 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours and 26 minutes.
| Distance | 274 mi (442 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 26m |
| Lowest price | $59.64 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Oakland?
In the last month, $81.09 was the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Oakland. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 26 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $2.90 more than that for a same-day booking.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Oakland will vary between C$80 and C$88. Planning a train trip to Oakland within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Santa Barbara over the next 7 days is C$80. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Santa Barbara to Oakland by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for May. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$73 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Santa Barbara to Oakland in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$79 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Oakland from Santa Barbara will be about C$2.90 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Oakland?
2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to Oakland. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 11h 37m | $81.31 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 8h 45m | $90.57 |
Amtrak
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 Oakland every day, as well as 36 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $74.
Amtrak Coast Starlight
The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space. A trip from Santa Barbara to Oakland takes 8 hours and 45 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at $60.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from Santa Barbara to Oakland during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from Santa Barbara to Oakland?
How long is the train journey from Santa Barbara to Oakland?
The distance between Santa Barbara and Oakland is approximately 274 miles, or 442 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 31 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 26 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.
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains from Santa Barbara to Oakland are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Santa Barbara to Oakland?
There are 4 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Santa Barbara to Oakland. 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 Oakland 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.
Oakland
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: Oceanside Transit Center
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 15 stops and stations in Santa Barbara where you can board the train.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
Oceanside Transit Center
105 N Cedros Ave - Solana Beach Transit Ctr
4005 Taylor St
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth
Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy
Glendale Transp Ctr - 400 W Cerritos Ave
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
Union Station
Transportation Center
Anaheim Stadium Parking - 2626 E Katella Ave
120 East Santa Fe Ave - Fullerton Transp Ctr
3750 Empire Ave
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
Where is the train station in Oakland?
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attribution
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 245 Second St
The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and San Joaquins trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.
Train stations in Oakland:
245 Second St
Need a return trip from Oakland to Santa Barbara?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Santa Barbara
- Train from Santa Barbara to Burbank
$32+
- Santa Barbara to Carpinteria Train
$10+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Fullerton
$47+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Irvine
$51+
- Santa Barbara to Lompoc Train
$31+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Long Beach
$59+
- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Train
$33+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Oceanside
$55+
- Santa Barbara to Oxnard Train
$22+
- Santa Barbara to Sacramento
$109+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego
$58+
- Santa Barbara to San Francisco Train
$81+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Jose
$76+
- Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
$41+
- Santa Barbara to Santa Ana Train
$49+
- Santa Barbara to Ventura Train
$18+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Portland
$244+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Seattle
$256+
Continue by train from Oakland
Check out these popular routes
- London to Glasgow
$166+
- Train from London to Manchester
$120+
- London to Oxford Train
$35+
- Train from London to Amsterdam
$317+
- Manchester to London Train
$103+
- Train from Amsterdam to London
$153+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
$149+
- Train from Boston to New York
$126+
- New York to Washington D.C. Train
$148+
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more