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Journey Information
There are 5 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Francisco usually takes around 16 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 277 mi (446 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 35m |
| Cheapest price | $27.48 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Buses from Santa Barbara to San Francisco
- Amtrak Thruway: 1 daily buses from $29
- FlixBus US: 3 daily buses from $27
- Greyhound: 2 daily buses from $30
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Barbara to San Francisco cost $65.51 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Santa Barbara to San Francisco in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $60 to $87. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 18, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to San Francisco this week, bus tickets are available starting at $67.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
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 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $29.91 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to San Francisco?
There are 3 bus lines from Santa Barbara to San Francisco available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Each of these companies only runs one bus per day. The following table helps you compare your available choices:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 1 | 17h 51m | $85.08 |
| FlixBus US | 3 | 12h 20m | $74.79 |
| Greyhound | 2 | 16h 17m | $55.34 |
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 $29. 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 3 trips per day from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 2 bus trips from Santa Barbara to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 16 hours and 17 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $30.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 16 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 277 miles from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 35 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.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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 6:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Santa Barbara to San Francisco every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $48.00.
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.
San Francisco
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
Buses to San Francisco leave from 13 stations in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
South Strip
Tour Bus Loading Zone
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Transportation Center
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
Denny's restaurant
Carl's Jr restaurant
Tehachapi Park and Ride
475 Linden Ave
718 West Ventura St
685 N First Ave
1611 E Main St
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: San Francisco, California
Behind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
San Francisco, California
Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Salesforce Transit Center
700 Beach Street
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