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There are 2 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to Salinas. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Salinas usually takes around 7 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 191 mi (307 km) |
| Shortest duration | 4h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $30.99 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Average score for buses from Santa Barbara to Salinas
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: The main problem was that the bus was late in coming to Santa Barbara due to traffic conditions. that is understandable and unavoidable. They caught up some but at the long stop place they stayed TOO LONG by allowing passengers to run back to the bathroom outside, although there is a bathroom in the bus. Thus the bus was late again arriving to Salinas and I nearly missed my connection. Cons: See above. Be more strict about the time limits of the long stop.
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Barbara to Salinas cost $44.50 on average. Tickets cheaper than $44.50 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.
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 18 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $48.96 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to Salinas 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 | 11h 30m | $97.21 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 4h 55m | $53.01 |
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 Salinas 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 2 trips per day from Santa Barbara to Salinas, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 59 minutes to cover the 191 miles from Santa Barbara to Salinas. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 20 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Santa Barbara to Salinas 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to Salinas, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Santa Barbara to Salinas. 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 Salinas; ticket prices start at $45.00.
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.
Image credit: Unsplash
Salinas is a city in California popularly known as the Salad Bowl of the World- though the nickname is about more than healthy food. The city has a vibrant agriculture industry, pristine farmland, historic sites, and plenty of greenery. As an agriculture-based city, it's not surprising that there are a lot of outdoor areas to visit, from Natividad Creek Park to the Creekbridge Neighborhood Park. In addition, history lovers in Salinas can visit the National Steinbeck Center and Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum for their interactive exhibits, while Salinas Valley Art Gallery appeals to art lovers.
For wine lovers in Salinas, there is a wide range of wineries and vineyards in the city, with popular choices being the Chateau Sinnet Winery and Vineyard, and SMD Vineyards. Visitors to the city can check out nightclubs, lounges, and bowling centers. Salinas organizes festivals throughout the year, like the Monthly Art Market & Artisan Fair and the Annual Halloween Beer Crawl.
If you're visiting Salinas by train, over 100 cities offer routes by Amtrak. Fewer bus lines are going to the city, provided by Amtrak Thruway. There are also Monterey-Salinas Transit services for transport inside the city.
Buses to Salinas leave from 13 stations in Santa Barbara.
209 State Street
Transportation Center
South Strip
Tour Bus Loading Zone
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Denny's restaurant
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
475 Linden Ave
Carl's Jr restaurant
718 West Ventura St
Tehachapi Park and Ride
685 N First Ave
1611 E Main St
All buses from Santa Barbara arrive at one main station in Salinas.
11 Station Pl
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$39+
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