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San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara train

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San Luis Obispo - Santa Barbara Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 5 daily trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara usually takes around 2 hours and 47 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance81 mi (130 km)
Fastest train2h 30m
Lowest price€21.58
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Mark

14 July 2023- Couples trip

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: Beautiful views and relaxing. Cons: We had an appointment in Santa Barbara so we were a little nervous about the timing since we didn’t leave SLO when originally scheduled, but it worked out just fine. Tips: Plan extra time for delays.

5.0

Nancy

8 July 2020- Visiting family

Amtrak Coast Starlight

Pros: Both the counter personal- (Jon) & conductor (Miike) went out of theIr way to make this a pleasant trip. Cons: On time arrival. Tips: Enjoy the scenery.

5.0

Kaitlyn

19 January 2020- Vacation

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: First off, let me begin my saying this trip was delightful. Not only were the sights outstanding, the company was also great. I had the pleasure of enjoying an adult bevvy in the food carriage and I even made a “mom” friend who I then drank “mommy drinks” with. Cons: Truthfully the breakfast burritos could use work. Tips: BYOS. Bring your own salsa!!

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What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The average price for a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is €30.03, Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. By booking your trip at least 11 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay €4.83 more.

Monthly average prices

€47€38€28€19€9MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, with the average price at just €25. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in September, when the average price goes up to €36. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

€47€38€28€19€93020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, book online with Wanderu at least 11 days in advance. That way, you’ll save €4.83 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

There are 3 train lines with service from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak32h 53m€32.67
Amtrak Coast Starlight12h 35m€31.90
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner12h 35m€31.91

  • 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 San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €30.

  • 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 San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara takes 2 hours and 35 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at €22.

  • 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 San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from €32.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus 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.
The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is approximately 81 miles, or 130 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 47 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. 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 San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo.

City Information

San Luis Obispo

San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.

Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.

SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in San Luis Obispo?

Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave

There are two stations in San Luis Obispo where you can board the train to Santa Barbara.

All train stations in San Luis Obispo:

  • 1011 Railroad Ave

  • 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113

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

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Related reading

Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo?

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