Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Santa Barbara to King City. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to King City usually takes around 7 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 148 mi (238 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 25m |
| Cheapest price | $58.00 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to King City?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to King City 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 | 10h 6m | $93.38 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 4h 25m | $58.00 |
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 King City start at $58. 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 Santa Barbara to King City, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 33 minutes to cover the 148 miles from Santa Barbara to King City. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 25 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 King City. 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 King City, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Barbara to King City. It leaves the station in Santa Barbara at 9:00am 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 Santa Barbara to King City. 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 Santa Barbara to King City; ticket prices start at $58.00.
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
Buses to King City leave from 6 stations in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
South Strip
Tour Bus Loading Zone
Transportation Center
718 West Ventura St
Where does the bus arrive in King City?
Main arrival station: McDonalds - 1350 Broadway Cir
All buses from Santa Barbara arrive at one main station in King City.
All bus stations in King City:
McDonalds - 1350 Broadway Cir
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from King City to Santa Barbara?
Search Bus Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more