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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 22 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 81 mi (130 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 10m |
| Cheapest price | CA$26.07 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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 CA$26.07 on average. This is an excellent value for the 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 10 days in advance to save up to CA$2.58.
What bus companies travel from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from San Luis Obispo 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 | 2h 22m | CA$35.92 |
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 Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 81 miles from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 10 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 4:00pm 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 CA$31.57.
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: San Luis Obispo Bus Station
Buses to Santa Barbara leave from 3 stations in San Luis Obispo.
All bus stations in San Luis Obispo:
San Luis Obispo Bus Station
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
1011 Railroad Ave
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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