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Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano train

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Santa Barbara - San Juan Capistrano Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 6 daily trains from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano usually takes around 5 hours and 46 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 31 minutes.

Distance133 mi (214 km)
Fastest train4h 31m
Lowest price$46.23
Trains per day4
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

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

In the last month, $51.75 was the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 7 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $1.28 more than that for a same-day booking.

Monthly average prices

$68$54$41$27$14AMJJASONDJFM
You can find the lowest prices on this route during March. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano, with the average price at just $53. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in July, when the average price goes up to $65. 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

$68$54$41$27$143020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano, book online with Wanderu at least 7 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $1.28 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano?

2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak56h 0m$54.12
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner14h 36m$53.02
  • 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 5 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $46.

  • 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 1 train trips from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $53.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano. 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.

The distance between Santa Barbara and San Juan Capistrano is approximately 133 miles, or 214 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 46 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 31 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 San Juan Capistrano tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. 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 Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

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.

There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. 4 of these are direct connections to San Juan Capistrano. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.

You can also take a train for your return trip from San Juan Capistrano 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.

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano, CA, US - SNC-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Located in Orange County, California, San Juan Capistrano is a small city founded by the Spanish in 1776. Although largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, this city is a growing destination south of Los Angeles and is often used as a backdrop in major Hollywood movies.

San Juan Capistrano has many historical religious sites to explore, and Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of its most renowned. The "Jewel of California Missions" includes a chapel with regular Mass, stunning gardens, and a museum to learn about the many Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences in the region. Visit in mid-March to experience the annual Return of the Swallows celebration. Local cliff swallows return from winters in Argentina, and the Mission plans parades, fairs, and other events to welcome them home.

The area around the Mission is a historic downtown with local restaurants, green spaces, and retail services. In the center of this historic core, San Juan Capistrano's Amtrak station welcomes Pacific Surfliner trains that run from Los Angeles to San Diego.

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 Juan Capistrano?

Main arrival station: 26701 Verdugo St

San Juan Capistrano has one train station.

Train stations in San Juan Capistrano:

  • 26701 Verdugo St

Get around town with Moovit

Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in San Juan Capistrano. Download here

Need a return trip from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara?

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