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There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$64.72 | Avg. Price$84.41 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration6h 44m | Duration10h 37m |
There is one daily bus from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Francisco usually takes around 7 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 277 mi (446 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $21.00 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Average score for buses from Santa Barbara to San Francisco
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: The bus was there when I arrived 15 minutes early and it left on time. The driver was smooth and did a great job with a full bus, The stop for lunch was great, and we received a 25 minute break, which was enough time to eat, drink and go to the bathroom. Bathrooms were nice a clean. Two stops on the way home and arrived at 5th and Townsend on time. Cons: Keep up the great work. Tips: Be on time and expect a great trip.
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco cost $47.98 on average. Tickets cheaper than $47.98 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 25 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $62.15 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to San Francisco 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 | 2 | 7h 25m | $21.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 7h 39m | $100.46 |
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 San Francisco start at $21. On average, there are 2 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 San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to cover the 277 miles from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 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.
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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to San Francisco, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. It leaves the station in Santa Barbara at 11:00am 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 San Francisco. 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 San Francisco; ticket prices start at $48.00.
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
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Barbara.
209 State Street
Buses arrive in San Francisco at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
San Francisco, California
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$39+
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$157+
$287+
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.
