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Cheap bus tickets from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista

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Santa Barbara to Isla Vista Bus Schedule

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Bus from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista: Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista usually takes around 18 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 15 minutes.

Distance9 mi (15 km)
Shortest duration0h 15m
Cheapest price$6.00
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Thruway
Bus lines1

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What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista. Amtrak Thruway 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.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway20h 19m$6.00
  • 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 Santa Barbara to Isla Vista start at $6. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista

The bus takes an average of 18 minutes to cover the 9 miles from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 minutes. It's a short trip that goes by very quickly. 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, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Santa Barbara to Isla Vista. 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 Santa Barbara to Isla Vista; ticket prices start at $6.00.

City Information

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 Santa Barbara?

Main departure station: 209 State Street

Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Barbara.

All bus stations in Santa Barbara:

  • 209 State Street

Where does the bus arrive in Isla Vista?

Main arrival station: UCSB Bus Loop

All buses from Santa Barbara arrive at one main station in Isla Vista.

All bus stations in Isla Vista:

  • UCSB Bus Loop

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