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Trip Summary
You can pick from 7 daily train trips between Santa Barbara and Sacramento. The average train journey from Santa Barbara to Sacramento takes 11 hours and 35 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 10 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 304 mi (490 km) |
| Fastest train | 10h 5m |
| Lowest price | €50.89 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Sacramento?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Santa Barbara and Sacramento cost €59.37, on average. Booking your trip at least 27 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €44.59 more.
Monthly average prices
Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Sacramento often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only €64,
If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Sacramento during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €83 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Santa Barbara to Sacramento, book online with Wanderu at least 27 days in advance. That way, you’ll save €44.59 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Sacramento?
2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to Sacramento. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 6 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 11h 36m | €78.09 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 11h 28m | €137.73 |
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 6 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Sacramento every day, as well as 9 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €51.
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 Santa Barbara to Sacramento takes 11 hours and 28 minutes on average, and Coach tickets start at €51.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Santa Barbara and Sacramento is approximately 304 miles, or 490 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 5 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 Santa Barbara to Sacramento on Monday. Tickets for Monday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 22:00. 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 7 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Santa Barbara to Sacramento. 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 Sacramento to Santa Barbara.
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.
Sacramento
As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
There is one train station in Santa Barbara.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Where is the train station in Sacramento?
Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St
Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.
Train stations in Sacramento:
Valley Station - 401 I St
1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets
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Need a return trip from Sacramento to Santa Barbara?
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