Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Seattle

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Seattle. Travelling by train from Santa Barbara to Seattle usually takes 1 day, 8 hours and 24 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 1 day, 7 hours and 36 minutes.

Distance: 921 mi (1482 km)
Fastest train: 31h 36m
Lowest price: US$145.00
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Santa Barbara to Seattle Train Timetable

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

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Santa Barbara to Seattle?

There is usually 1 daily coach trip from Santa Barbara to Seattle.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$224.67	Avg. PriceUS$138.89Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration32h 24mFaster	Duration39h 10m

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

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Santa Barbara to Seattle cost about US$180 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 21 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$70.69 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Seattle by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Seattle will cost between US$171 and US$298. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Seattle by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Seattle often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only US$195. If you're thinking of travelling from Santa Barbara to Seattle during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$307 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Santa Barbara to Seattle on Wanderu at least 21 days ahead of time, you can save about US$70.69 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Seattle?

2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to Seattle. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	32h 41m	US$239.33
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	31h 36m	US$183.60

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 Santa Barbara to Seattle every day, as well as 2 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from US$165.
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.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Santa Barbara to Seattle

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

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Santa Barbara to Seattle. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Seattle to Santa Barbara. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Santa Barbara to Seattle for US$130.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Barbara and Seattle is approximately 921 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 8 hours and 24 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 7 hours and 36 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)

921

Distance (km)

1482

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 10:05 while the last train of the day leaves at 12:15. 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

10:05am

Last train

12:15pm

Trains from Santa Barbara to Seattle 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 travelling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

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.

Seattle

Seattle is a must-see destination on the West Coast of the United States, offering many unique activities for any type of traveller. However, we're confident every visitor will enjoy the view of Mount Rainier from the top of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike, hike, boat, and ski in one of the top cities for outdoor activities in the U.S., while soaking in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty (and yes, some rain as well). Urban explorers will love walking through Pike Place Market and experiencing Seattle's museums and public art, like the scenic Olympic Sculpture Park. These offerings and more make Seattle one of the best holiday destination in Washington.

Known for its coffee culture and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle is also one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the U.S., which is ideal for those who prefer to experience the taste of a city served up in a latte mug or a pint glass.

Seattle is home to the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, but there are plenty of other ways to continue your travels from the Emerald City. A short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island includes the chance to see orca whales in the Puget Sound, or you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train or one of several affordable coach options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?

Main departure station: 209 State Street

There is one train station in Santa Barbara.

All train stations in Santa Barbara:

209 State Street

Where is the train station in Seattle?

Main arrival station: King Street Station

Seattle, WA - King Street Station - SEAAMT-0

King Street Station is the main station for Amtrak train service in Seattle. Greyhound coaches use the coach station at 503 S Royal Brougham Way, near Lumen Field. King Street Station has connections to local public transit like the Link Light Rail and King County Metro at the International District/Chinatown station one block away. Located near downtown Seattle in the trendy Pioneer Square neighbourhood, King Street Station opened in 1906 and continues to impress travellers with its restored Italian architecture and Venetian-style clocktower. King Street Station has on-site Amtrak staff, toilets, and vending machines, and while there are no restaurants in the station, several nearby coffee shops and eateries make it easy to fuel up before your trip.

Train stations in Seattle:

King St Station - 303 S Jackson St

Need a return trip from Seattle to Santa Barbara?

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