5.0
Pros: Thanks so much. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Travel light.
Cheap bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
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San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$32.55 | Avg. Price$39.48 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration2h 42m | Duration2h 45m |
Bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara usually takes around 2 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 81 mi (130 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $20.48 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
How much is a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara cost $20.48 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
Bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara are at their cheapest average price in September. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $21. On the other hand, traveling on this route during March might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for March trips cost $27, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.
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 $13.22.
What bus companies travel from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 2h 49m | $33.59 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 1h 46m | $30.32 |
Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara start at $33. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.
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 Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 21 minutes to cover the 81 miles from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 45 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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.
The first bus leaves at 12:00pm and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from San Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at $25.00.
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 does the bus leave from in San Luis Obispo?
Main departure station: 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
Buses to Santa Barbara leave from 3 stations in San Luis Obispo.
All bus stations in San Luis Obispo:
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
1011 Railroad Ave
San Luis Obispo Bus Station
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
All buses from San Luis Obispo arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
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