5.0
Pros: I loved the fact that the bus stopped for lunch, which I did not expect. The bus was clean, quiet, and comfortable. Cons: Keep up the good work. Tips: None. I throughly enjoyed the trip. Thank you.
Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
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.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCZK 1,234.52 | Avg. PriceCZK 1,786.20 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration8h 56m | Duration10h 1m |
Bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara usually takes around 9 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 277 mi (446 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 15m |
| Cheapest price | CZK 922.61 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
How much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara cost CZK 1,179.99 on average. Tickets cheaper than CZK 1,179.99 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from San Francisco to Santa Barbara by month
Taking the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only CZK 1,009. If you're planning to take the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CZK 1,846. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 15 days in advance to save CZK 478.91 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Francisco to Santa Barbara that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 8h 33m | CZK 1,554.79 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 11h 40m | CZK 1,749.28 |
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 2 trips per day from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from San Francisco to Santa Barbara every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 40 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Santa Barbara usually start from CZK 944.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 49 minutes to cover the 277 miles from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 15 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.
Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Santa Barbara. 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00am. To see the times for all buses from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from San Francisco to Santa Barbara 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at CZK 1,030.37.
City Information
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
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 does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
San Francisco has two bus stations with service to Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
All buses from San Francisco arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Get around town with Moovit
Find the best way to get to and from any station in Santa Barbara by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now
Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from San Francisco
- San Francisco to Vancouver Bus
CZK 5,007+
- Bus from San Francisco to Phoenix
CZK 2,887+
- San Francisco to Irvine Bus
CZK 1,507+
- Bus from San Francisco to Los Angeles
CZK 1,496+
- San Francisco to Monterey Bus
CZK 386+
- Bus from San Francisco to Palm Springs
CZK 1,907+
- Bus from San Francisco to Sacramento
CZK 652+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Diego
CZK 1,981+
- Bus from San Francisco to San Jose
CZK 320+
- Bus from San Francisco to Santa Ana
CZK 1,609+
- San Francisco to Stockton
CZK 788+
- Bus from San Francisco to Yosemite Valley
CZK 465+
- Bus from San Francisco to Chicago
CZK 7,143+
- San Francisco to Las Vegas
CZK 2,215+
- Bus from San Francisco to Reno
CZK 853+
- Bus from San Francisco to New York
CZK 8,281+
- San Francisco to Portland Bus
CZK 3,085+
- San Francisco to Seattle Bus
CZK 4,656+
Continue by bus from Santa Barbara
- Bus from Santa Barbara to Bakersfield
CZK 1,388+
- Bus from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
CZK 611+
- Santa Barbara to Oakland
CZK 1,639+
- Santa Barbara to Salinas Bus
CZK 1,073+
- Bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego
CZK 1,246+
- Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bus
CZK 1,702+
- Bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose
CZK 1,452+
- Bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
CZK 506+
- Santa Barbara to Santa Maria
CZK 409+
- Santa Barbara to Solvang
CZK 64+
- Santa Barbara to Ventura Bus
CZK 325+
- Bus from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas
CZK 1,748+
Check out these popular routes
- Toronto to Ottawa Bus
CZK 547+
- Montreal to New York Bus
CZK 1,907+
- Washington D.C. to New York Bus
CZK 494+
- Bus from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia
CZK 429+
- Boston to New York
CZK 554+
- Brooklyn to Washington D.C. Bus
CZK 830+
- Brooklyn to Philadelphia
CZK 188+
- Bus from New York to Montreal
CZK 1,983+
- Bus from New York to Washington D.C.
CZK 577+
- Bus from New York to Boston
CZK 559+
- New York to Ithaca Bus
CZK 981+
- Bus from New York to Philadelphia
CZK 365+
- Bus from New York to Providence
CZK 624+
- Philadelphia to Washington D.C. Bus
CZK 498+
- Philadelphia to Brooklyn Bus
CZK 322+
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
CZK 322+
- Dallas to Houston Bus
CZK 936+
- Madison to Chicago Bus
CZK 818+
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. 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.