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Journey Information
There are 4 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to San Jose. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose usually takes around 12 hours and 46 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 236 mi (380 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 30m |
| Cheapest price | €31.01 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Jose?
€79.12 is the average price of a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Jose. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose is expected to range from €81 to €126. If you are looking to travel to San Jose within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from €81. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are €81 and can be found on 21 April 2024.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 11 days in advance to save up to €21.13.
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to San Jose?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to San Jose that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Amtrak Thruway usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 2 | 14h 58m | €113.04 |
| FlixBus US | 3 | 8h 56m | €73.39 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Jose start at €64. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 3 trips per day from Santa Barbara to San Jose, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 46 minutes to cover the 380 kilometers from Santa Barbara to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
"Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in San Jose. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet."
The first bus leaves at 07:00 and the last bus leaves at 18:00. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Santa Barbara to San Jose every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to San Jose; ticket prices start at €48.88.
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 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 buses, including FlixBus, offer routes from Santa Barbara to destinations like L.A., San Diego, and Las Vegas.
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
Buses to San Jose leave from 11 stations in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Tour Bus Loading Zone
South Strip
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Transportation Center
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
Denny's restaurant
Carl's Jr restaurant
718 West Ventura St
Tehachapi Park and Ride
475 Linden Ave
Where does the bus arrive in San Jose?
Image credit: SPUR
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travelers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.
Bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Diridon Station
Downtown San Jose - 129 W San Carlos St
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
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