Lowest Prices
We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.
Best Travel Options
We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are 3 daily trains from Seattle to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from Seattle to Santa Barbara usually takes around 33 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 32 hours and 22 minutes.
| Distance | 921 mi (1482 km) |
| Fastest train | 32h 22m |
| Lowest price | £78.85 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Seattle to Santa Barbara?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Seattle and Santa Barbara cost £106.41, on average. Since this route covers a considerable distance, tickets are typically a bit pricier than most train fares. Booking your trip at least 23 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around £69.80 more.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 23 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Santa Barbara from Seattle will be about £69.80 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Seattle to Santa Barbara?
2 train services operate from Seattle to Santa Barbara. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 1d 10h 19m | £153.47 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 1d 8h 22m | £139.58 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Seattle to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £109.
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 Seattle to Santa Barbara takes 32 hours and 22 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at £79.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Seattle and Santa Barbara is approximately 921 miles, or 1482 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 33 hours and 53 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 32 hours and 22 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 from Seattle 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 traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Seattle at 05:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 09:00. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Seattle to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara to Seattle.
City Information
Seattle
Seattle is a must-see destination on the West Coast of the United States, offering many unique activities for any type of traveler. 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 vacation 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 bus options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.
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 Seattle?
Image credit: SounderBruce
Link to image attributionMain departure station: King St Station - 303 S Jackson St
King Street Station is the main station for Amtrak train service and Greyhound bus service in Seattle, with 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 neighborhood, King Street Station opened in 1906 and continues to impress travelers with its restored Italian architecture and Venetian-style clocktower. King Street Station has on-site Amtrak staff, restrooms, 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.
All train stations in Seattle:
King St Station - 303 S Jackson St
Pacific Central Station
10251 St Edwards Dr
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
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to Seattle?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Seattle
Continue by train from Santa Barbara
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.
Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more