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How to get to Santa Barbara by train
| Routes | 65 |
| Trips per day | 257 |
| train lines | 3 |
| Stations | 1 |
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About 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.
What train companies travel to Santa Barbara, California?
Located in California, Santa Barbara is accessible by train from 65 other cities. You can choose from 257 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Santa Barbara on Wanderu. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Santa Barbara are also available..
Train companies serving Santa Barbara
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 147 | 7h 54m | SEK 671.03 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 24 | 9h 2m | SEK 716.89 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 23 | 2h 27m | SEK 307.39 |
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.
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.
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.
Which train service has the best service to Santa Barbara?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to Santa Barbara by train with Amtrak Coast Starlight giving them a 4.4 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Amtrak had the most comfortable train service to Santa Barbara taking into account the seats and amenities that Amtrak offers. They rate Amtrak a 4.6 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to Santa Barbara punctually, travelers suggest that Amtrak Pacific Surfliner has the best on time performance on their train schedules to Santa Barbara, rating them a 4.5 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main train station in Santa Barbara is 209 State Street. As the busiest station, it has the most train arrivals, although some trains may make other stops in and around Santa Barbara.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 2h 24m | SEK 335.13 |
| Martinez | 10h 7m | SEK 748.01 |
| Sacramento | 10h 54m | SEK 904.06 |
| Davis | 10h 57m | SEK 851.21 |
| New York | 3d 5h 27m | SEK 5,062.79 |
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