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
5 trains operate daily from Goleta to Santa Ana. The train trip from Goleta to Santa Ana is usually about 4 hours and 29 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 4 hours and 21 minutes.
| Distance | 122 mi (196 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 21m |
| Lowest price | €34.87 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Goleta to Santa Ana?
In the last month, €36.71 was the average price of a train ticket from Goleta to Santa Ana. This is a good price that is inexpensive compared to most train fares. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 18 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around €0.05 more than that for a same-day booking.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average daily price of train tickets to Santa Ana from Goleta is expected to remain pretty much the same. As a result, a one-way train trip will cost about €37 regardless of the day you pick to travel.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Santa Ana at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
Which train should you take from Goleta to Santa Ana?
2 train services operate from Goleta to Santa Ana. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 4 | 4h 30m | €36.86 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 1 | 4h 29m | €36.75 |
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 4 Amtrak trains from Goleta to Santa Ana every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €35.
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 Goleta to Santa Ana every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €37.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Goleta and Santa Ana is approximately 122 miles, or 196 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 29 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 21 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Goleta to Santa Ana on Friday. Tickets for Friday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Goleta at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 18:00. 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 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Goleta to Santa Ana.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Ana to Goleta.
City Information
Goleta
Image credit: Unsplash
Goleta is a city in southern Santa Barbara County, popularly called 'The Good Land.' It comes from the Goleta Valley, a fertile farming region where delicious avocados and citrus grow. The city features family-friendly activities and local fun on picturesque coastal land. The Goleta Beach Park is one of the city's highlights, with a fishing pier. Nature lovers can check out the butterfly preserves in the city or visit Lake Los Carneros. The Sandpiper Gold Club is the best place to enjoy golf at the oceanfront. As for exploring history in Goleta, the South Coast Railroad Museum and Art, Design & Architecture Museum are popular spots in the city.
As a farming city, one of the most popular celebrations in Goleta is the yearly Goleta Lemon Festival, the biggest one in the city. But you don't always have to wait for the festival to come around. Goleta features fun activities and clubs, including The Imperial Lounge. You should visit Goleta between April and November if you want to enjoy the beaches and beach parties.
It is easy to visit Goleta from tens of other cities by train or bus. Amtrak and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner provide train routes to Goleta. Buses are a little rarer, with only a few routes provided by FlixBus US.
Santa Ana
Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Goleta?
Main departure station: 25 South La Patera Ln
There is one train station in Goleta.
All train stations in Goleta:
25 South La Patera Ln
Where is the train station in Santa Ana?
Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Santa Ana has one train station.
Train stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Ana to Goleta?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus 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 bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus 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