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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from San Jose to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara usually takes around 8 hours and 34 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 | CA$45.05 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| 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 CA$54.94 on average. Tickets cheaper than CA$54.94 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.
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 27 days in advance to save up to CA$66.18.
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 one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 8h 34m | CA$107.73 |
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 Jose to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 34 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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Santa Barbara, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Jose to Santa Barbara, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from San Jose to Santa Barbara. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Jose to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at CA$61.45.
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: Downtown San Jose - 129 W San Carlos St
San Jose has two bus stations with service to Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Downtown San Jose - 129 W San Carlos St
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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