Cheap train tickets from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara. Travelling by train from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara usually takes 7 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 5 hours and 56 minutes.

Distance: 185 mi (298 km)
Fastest train: 5h 56m
Lowest price: NOK 377.74
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Palm Springs to Santa Barbara Train Timetable

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full timetable.

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

Amtrak tickets: NOK 378 one-way

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

In the last month, train tickets from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara cost about NOK 378 when booked at the cheapest time. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 2 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 108.60 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara will cost between NOK 378 and NOK 519. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara by month

Ticket prices for the train from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in June when the average ticket price is only NOK 406. If you're thinking of travelling from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 642 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 2 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 108.60 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara?

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

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	7h 12m	NOK 421.54

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 2 Amtrak trains from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 4 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 377.74.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a coach 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.

Trains leave the station in Palm Springs 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 hand 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 Santa Barbara to Palm Springs.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Palm Springs and Santa Barbara is approximately 185 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 12 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 56 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)

185

Distance (km)

298

The earliest train departs Palm Springs at 2:02 while the last train of the day leaves at 14:20. 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

2:02am

Last train

2:20pm

Trains from Palm Springs to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Friday

City Information

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert resort city in California defined by its ultra-cool midcentury modern buildings and aesthetics. Travellers seeking relaxation flock to Palm Springs' stylish hotels and resorts like the Caliente Tropic Resort, spas like The Well Spa, hot springs like the Azure Palm Hot Springs, and the city's many palm tree-lined golf courses. History and art buffs can check out the Palm Springs Art Museum, Cabazon Dinosaurs, and Cabot's Pueblo Museum. Trivia break! Can you guess which president had a home in Palm Springs?

Explore the desert environment by meeting some locals at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens or trot through the Indian Canyons on horseback. Outdoor enthusiasts can discover trails for hiking, walking, and mountain biking in the desert city. Palm Canyon Drive, a cultural strip downtown, offers upscale dining and exciting nightlife, from resort restaurants to taverns and lounges.

Visit this chic resort city by train on the Amtrak Texas Eagle or Amtrak Sunset Limited. You can take a coach to Palm Springs on one of FlixBus' routes from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Riverside, and more. The Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is easy to reach, only two miles from downtown.

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 Palm Springs?

Main departure station: SunLine Transit Stop - 3400 E Tahquitz Canyon Way

Palm Springs has 3 stations where passengers can board the train to Santa Barbara.

All train stations in Palm Springs:

SunLine Transit Stop - 3400 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
SunLine Transit Stop - 190 N Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs Station Rd

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 Palm Springs?

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