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Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
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Trip Summary
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Travelling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara usually takes 2 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 35 minutes.
- Distance
- 81 mi (130 km)
- Fastest train
- 2h 35m
- Lowest price
- NOK 179.43
- Trains per day
- 4
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
- Train lines
- 3
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San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 3 daily coach trips from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceNOK 342.14 | Avg. PriceNOK 334.58Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips4 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration2h 38m | Duration2h 9mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara (Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
5.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara:
- Amtrak tickets: NOK 179 one-way
- Amtrak Coast Starlight tickets: NOK 321 one-way
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner tickets: NOK 321 one-way
What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
In the last month, train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara cost about NOK 297 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 7 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 66.01 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara will cost between NOK 283 and NOK 425. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by month
Taking the train from San Luis Obispo 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 NOK 359 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.
Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
There are 3 train lines with service from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the most popular choice with travellers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 2h 35m | NOK 197.90 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 2h 35m | NOK 443.76 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 3 | 2h 40m | NOK 321.08 |
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 is 1 Amtrak train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 179.43.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned carriages, power sockets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.
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 railway stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard toilets, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power sockets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 3 train trips from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from NOK 321.08.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
Yes, there are some trains that travel the entire distance from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. However, in some cases you will have to take a coach for part of your journey in addition to taking the train.
There are 4 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara for NOK 179.
Trains per day
4
Direct trains
4
The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is approximately 81 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 35 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.
Distance (mi)
81
Distance (km)
130
The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 5:28 while the last train of the day leaves at 16:17. 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
5:28am
Last train
4:17pm
Trains from San Luis Obispo 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Monday
Least crowded
Tuesday
City Information
San Luis Obispo
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travellers with different intents—those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Golden State.
Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.
SLO has two major coach and train stations in San Luis—1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway coaches both service the town for coach transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.
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 San Luis Obispo?
Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave
There is one train station in San Luis Obispo.
All train stations in San Luis Obispo:
- 1011 Railroad Ave
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 San Luis Obispo?
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