Cheap train tickets from Berkeley to Santa Barbara

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Trip Summary

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Berkeley to Santa Barbara. Travelling by train from Berkeley to Santa Barbara usually takes 9 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 46 minutes.

Distance: 278 mi (448 km)
Fastest train: 7h 46m
Lowest price: £27.42
Trains per day: 4
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Berkeley to Santa Barbara Train Timetable

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

Amtrak tickets: £27 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Berkeley to Santa Barbara cost about £60 when booked at the cheapest time. 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 £35.85 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Berkeley to Santa Barbara will cost between £27 and £80. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Berkeley to Santa Barbara by month

Ticket prices for the train from Berkeley to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only £45. If you're thinking of travelling from Berkeley to Santa Barbara during September, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £62 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in September, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Berkeley to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about £35.85 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Berkeley to Santa Barbara?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Berkeley to Santa Barbara. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	4	9h 34m	£71.12

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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 4 Amtrak trains from Berkeley to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 4 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from £27.42.

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

While the train is the main method of transport from Berkeley to Santa Barbara, 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 coach or express shuttle.

There are 4 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 hand 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 Santa Barbara to Berkeley.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Berkeley and Santa Barbara is approximately 278 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 46 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

278

Distance (km)

448

The earliest train departs Berkeley at 5:56 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:39. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

5:56am

Last train

8:39pm

Trains from Berkeley to Santa Barbara 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Monday

City Information

Berkeley

Berkeley is located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay Area and is home to the popular University of California. It has an ethnically diverse community and numerous culinary and art attractions as a college city. Make the most of your trip with a visit to their unique museums, like the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology, the Berkeley Art Museum, and the Pacific Film Archive.

The Lawrence Hall of Science offers a planetarium and hands-on exhibits for families. Berkeley is also home to gorgeous parks and green spaces, like the 2000-acre Tilden Regional Park and Adventure Playground. Berkeley is the centre of entertainment in California, with the exciting nightlife attracting students and young professionals. Food is an important part of this city, as you can explore the ethnic restaurants and food trucks. Look out for shows held in the Greek Theatre, or explore their ever-growing craft beer scene. Downtown Berkeley is the entertainment district of this college city.

If you're visiting Berkeley, you can do so by train from 85 other cities or coach from 38 cities. The coach lines are provided by FlixBus, while Amtrak supplies most of the train routes. In the town, you can move around with public transit, with student-friendly prices.

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 holidays 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 coaches, including FlixBus, offer routes from Santa Barbara to destinations like L.A., San Diego, and Las Vegas.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Berkeley?

Main departure station: 700 University Ave under University Ave overpass W of 4th St

There is one train station in Berkeley.

All train stations in Berkeley:

700 University Ave under University Ave overpass W of 4th St

Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?

Main arrival station: 209 State Street

Santa Barbara has one train station.

Train stations in Santa Barbara:

209 State Street

Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to Berkeley?

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