Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Jose

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to San Jose. Travelling by train from Santa Barbara to San Jose usually takes 8 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 6 hours and 57 minutes.

Distance: 236 mi (380 km)
Fastest train: 6h 57m
Lowest price: $113.18
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

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4.8k Reviews

Santa Barbara to San Jose Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Barbara to San Jose?

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Santa Barbara to San Jose.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. Price$157.58	Avg. Price$133.14Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration8h 34m	Duration6h 1mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Santa Barbara to San Jose (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

5.0

Stephen

March 26, 2025 - Vacation

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Good scheduling, beautiful scenery, Cons: It would help if there was more frequent service on this line, so it would fit better into passengers' schedules. However, on this trip, the scheduling worked out fine. Also, connection to San Francisco was awkward. We took Caltrain from San Francisco to San Jose on the outbound trip and my wife drove from San Jose to San Jose to pick us up on the return trip (much quicker than using Oakland in either direction).

5.0

Carolyn A.

September 23, 2019 - Business

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: not driving for 5 + hours. not putting wear and tear on my car. not eating junk food along the highway Cons: two options daily for travel...leave at 4pm and arrive at 11pm so as not to lose a work day Tips: the dining car is a must

There are several train options that can take you from Santa Barbara to San Jose:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to San Jose?

In the last month, train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Jose cost about $145 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $34.44 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to San Jose by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to San Jose will cost between $124 and $166. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to San Jose by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to San Jose often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $140. If you're thinking of travelling from Santa Barbara to San Jose during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $225 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Santa Barbara to San Jose on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $34.44 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to San Jose?

2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to San Jose. Amtrak 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	2	9h 2m	$153.18
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	7h 31m	$167.64

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 washroom, 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 2 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to San Jose every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $134.13.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Santa Barbara to San Jose

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Barbara to San Jose. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

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 San Jose. 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 San Jose to Santa Barbara. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose for $54.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Barbara and San Jose is approximately 380 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 57 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.

Distance (mi)

236

Distance (km)

380

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 6:55 a.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 12:43 p.m. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

6:55am

Last train

12:43pm

Trains from Santa Barbara to San Jose are the most crowded on Friday. 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 travelling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Monday

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.

San Jose

San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial centre.

While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.

Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.

San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.

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 San Jose?

Main arrival station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St - SJCDCS-0

Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travellers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.

All train stations in San Jose:

Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

Need a return trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara?

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