Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Reno

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Reno. Travelling by train from Santa Barbara to Reno usually takes 16 hours and 36 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 15 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance: 353 mi (568 km)
Fastest train: 15h 50m
Lowest price: CHF 83.52
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Santa Barbara to Reno Train Schedule

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

There is usually 1 daily bus trip available from Santa Barbara to Reno.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceCHF 105.05	Avg. PriceCHF 91.84Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration16h 36mFaster	Duration23h 30m

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

Amtrak tickets: CHF 84 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Santa Barbara to Reno cost about CHF 87 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 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 33.82 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Reno by travel date

The cost of a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Reno is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about CHF 121 for your ticket.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Reno by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Reno often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only CHF 89. If you're thinking of travelling from Santa Barbara to Reno during February, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 117 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in February, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Santa Barbara to Reno on Wanderu at least 11 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 33.82 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Reno?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Reno. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	16h 36m	CHF 105.04

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 Reno every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CHF 83.52.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Santa Barbara to Reno

While the train is the main method of transportation from Santa Barbara to Reno, 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.

Trains leave the station in Santa Barbara twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Reno to Santa Barbara. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Barbara to Reno for CHF 73.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Barbara and Reno is approximately 568 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 16 hours and 36 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 15 hours and 50 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)

353

Distance (km)

568

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 10:05 p.m. while the last train of the day leaves at 10:05 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

10:05pm

Last train

10:05pm

Trains from Santa Barbara to Reno are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Tuesday

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.

Reno

Dazzling with neon lights and bustling through the night, Reno is a great destination for those seeking top-class entertainment. Though considerably outshined by Las Vegas, Reno still brings unique attractions to the table. Among the most notable destinations for non-gamblers is an independent art scene down at Riverwalk, where indie galleries as well as restaurants abound. Fans of the great outdoors should not miss out on nearby Lake Tahoe, which stands among the most beautiful vacation destinations in the country.

At its core, Reno is still a city for gamblers, and it certainly does not disappoint. Slot machines, table games and cabaret shows are available at the local casinos, ready to tempt risk-takers who wish to court Lady Luck.

Right in the heart of downtown Reno, you will find the Reno Amtrak station from where you can take a train to Northern California and beyond. The local Reno-Tahoe International Airport is located outside of the city and it provides quick access to international flight routes. The main bus stop that serves Reno is also located at the airport.

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 Reno?

Main arrival station: Reno Amtrak Train Station

The Amtrak Station in Reno is one of the main travel hubs in the city and opened in 1868. Located on North Center St, the station is surrounded by the casinos, restaurants, and hotels which put Reno on the map. Due to its downtown location, the station waiting area and the train tracks are actually placed below ground level. The California Zephyr train line passes through this station on its route from Chicago to Emeryville as well as Amtrak Thruway buses which connect to Sacramento.

All train stations in Reno:

Reno Amtrak Train Station

Need a return trip from Reno to Santa Barbara?

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