4.0
Pros: Easy travel, well announced stops, good wifi. Cons: Seats will need reno in the next few years, could develop an app that notifies you on progress , arrival. Available seats.
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Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Oceanside and Santa Barbara. The average train journey from Oceanside to Santa Barbara takes 5 hours and 16 minutes, but some Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train trips are as short as 4 hours and 49 minutes.
| Distance | 158 mi (254 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 49m |
| Lowest price | £32.18 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for trains from Oceanside to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Oceanside to Santa Barbara?
The average price for a train ticket from Oceanside to Santa Barbara is £34.60, Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. By booking your trip at least 12 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay £2.55 more.
Monthly average prices
Taking the train from Oceanside to Santa Barbara usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around £39 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The average price of train tickets from Oceanside to Santa Barbara is pretty stable year-round. However, we still suggest buying your train tickets at least 48 hours prior to departure to avoid unexpected price hikes and the possibility of the train being sold out.
Which train should you take from Oceanside to Santa Barbara?
2 train services operate from Oceanside to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 5h 49m | £42.93 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 4 | 4h 56m | £33.79 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Oceanside to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £32.
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 4 train trips from Oceanside to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from £34.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Oceanside to Santa Barbara. 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 Oceanside and Santa Barbara is approximately 158 miles, or 254 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 16 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 49 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 Oceanside to Santa Barbara tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. 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 Oceanside at 04:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 16:00. 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 6 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara to Oceanside.
City Information
Oceanside
Oceanside is a beautiful coastal city in Southern California, best known for its lovely beaches and stunning ocean views. Visitors can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and more.
There are also many great points of interest worth checking out, including the Oceanside Pier, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Also, don't miss the Oceanside Museum of Art, which houses a collection of art from across the globe. Other attractions include Mission San Luis Rey and the California Surf Museum.
The city also boasts a variety of popular neighbourhoods and nightlife destinations, like Downtown Oceanside or Coastal Highway, which are home to several bars and restaurants, and The Strand, which offers a vibrant nightlife scene.
Most ground travel to Oceanside operates through the Oceanside Transit Center. Here, Metrolink trains and local coaches connect to Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner route and intercity bus lines like Greyhound. The nearest airport is the McClellan-Palomar Airport, about 3 miles away from the centre of Oceanside.
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 Oceanside?
Main departure station: Oceanside Transit Center
There is one train station in Oceanside.
All train stations in Oceanside:
Oceanside Transit Center
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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