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Trains from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

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Santa Barbara - Los Angeles Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 10 daily trains from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles usually takes around 9 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in one hour and 59 minutes.

Distance87 mi (140 km)
Fastest train1h 59m
Lowest price£16.31
Trains per day16
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

(Based on 13 ratings and reviews)

4.5

4.0

Carolyn

30 April 2022- Vacation

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: I enjoyed the freedom to travel with friends and not having to be stressed about driving. Cons: This was out of the control of Amtrak, but there was a “goat” on the track which caused an extended delay. We still managed to laugh and talk and snack and snooze enjo...

Pros: I enjoyed the freedom to travel with friends and not having to be stressed about driving. Cons: This was out of the control of Amtrak, but there was a “goat” on the track which caused an extended delay. We still managed to laugh and talk and snack and snooze enjoying the mountains and coastal scenery. Tips: Life is short. Don’t stress. Bring your headphones listening to your favorite podcast or music. Pray for traveling safety. I didn’t use WiFi, so I don’t know if it was working on board.

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5.0

Mia

28 December 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Safe and peaceful the whole way. Cons: No complaints here!

Pros: Safe and peaceful the whole way. Cons: No complaints here!

5.0

Stephen

18 October 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Good value and convenient. Cons: It's fine the way it is.

Pros: Good value and convenient. Cons: It's fine the way it is.

5.0

Danielle

8 October 2021- Vacation

Amtrak Coast Starlight

The relaxing feeling and the beautiful scenery

The relaxing feeling and the beautiful scenery

5.0

Jamie

15 August 2021- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The view and the coffee and the fact that it wasn’t Full

The view and the coffee and the fact that it wasn’t Full

Train service from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

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

In the last month, £40.90 was the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 10 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £6.16 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£49£33£16MayMay

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles will vary between £38 and £45. Planning a train trip to Los Angeles within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Santa Barbara over the next 7 days is £38. 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

£41£33£24£16£8JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for October. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just £22 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £35 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

£61£49£37£24£123020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 10 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Los Angeles from Santa Barbara will be about £6.16 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles?

There are 3 train lines with service from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 8 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak810h 2m£43.74
Amtrak Coast Starlight12h 37m£17.67
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner12h 27m£23.16
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 8 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles every day, as well as 96 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £16.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak Coast Starlight

    Amtrak Coast Starlight

    The Coast Starlight is an Amtrak train that travels the entire length of the West Coast, connecting Los Angeles to Seattle. The route starts hugging the California coastline, treating passengers to swoon-worthy views of the Pacific, before continuing into the verdant forests of the Cascade Mountains. The Coast Starlight indisputably earns its spot among the most scenic Amtrak train routes. Seating options include Coach or Business Class and roomettes or bedrooms for extra space. A trip from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles takes 2 hours and 37 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at £16.

  • Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

    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 1 train trips from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from £21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Can you take a train all the way from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. 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.

How long is the train journey from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles?

The distance between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles is approximately 87 miles, or 140 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 59 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Friday. 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 traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Is there a direct train from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles?

There are 10 scheduled trains on most days. 16 of these are direct connections to Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

City Information

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?

Departure stations

Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 15 stops and stations in Santa Barbara where you can board the train.

All train stations in Santa Barbara:

  • 209 State Street

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • Intermodal Station - 800 Pine St

  • Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St

  • 11 Station Pl

  • 245 Second St

  • 1630 Mission Dr

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

  • 180 W Grand Ave

  • Salesforce Plaza

  • Santa Maria Bus Stop

  • 237 East Hwy 246

  • 5885 Horton St

  • 601 Marina Vista Ave

  • Valley Station - 401 I St

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, CA - Union Station - LAXUST-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Arrival stations

Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.

Train stations in Los Angeles:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

  • 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

  • 592 Gayley Ave

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