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Trip Summary
There are 5 daily trains from Berkeley to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from Berkeley to Santa Barbara usually takes around 9 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours and 26 minutes.
| Distance | 278 mi (448 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 26m |
| Lowest price | £31.78 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Berkeley to Santa Barbara?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Berkeley to Santa Barbara was £51.00. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Santa Barbara if you book your train tickets at least 5 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra £15.46.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Berkeley to Santa Barbara will vary between £49 and £56. Planning a train trip to Santa Barbara within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Berkeley over the next 7 days is £51. 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
Prices as travel date approaches
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Santa Barbara at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
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 5 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 9h 34m | £51.96 |
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 Berkeley to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £32.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Berkeley and Santa Barbara is approximately 278 miles, or 448 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 33 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.
Trains departing from Berkeley to Santa Barbara tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. 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 Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Berkeley at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. 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 5 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 carry-on 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.
City Information
Berkeley
Image credit: Unsplash
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 Berkely 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 center 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 bus from 38 cities. The bus 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 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 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
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