Cheap bus tickets from San Jose to Santa Barbara
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Jose to Santa Barbara.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$66.59 | Avg. Price$84.22 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration8h 41m | Duration7h 15m |
Bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara usually takes around 8 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 236 mi (380 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $35.99 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara cost $39.98 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 19 days in advance to save up to $26.36.
What bus companies travel from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Jose to Santa Barbara. FlixBus US is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 8h 8m | $68.70 |
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 1 trips per day from San Jose to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 8 minutes to cover the 236 miles from San Jose to Santa Barbara. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 30 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Jose to Santa Barbara. It leaves the station in San Jose at 12:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
There is usually only one bus per day from San Jose to Santa Barbara. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at $57.00.
City Information
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
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 Jose?
Main departure station: Diridon Station
Most buses depart from the main station in San Jose.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Station
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
All buses from San Jose arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
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