Cheap bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Jose
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Barbara to San Jose?
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to San Jose.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$68.83 | Avg. Price$89.75 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration7h 13m | Duration7h 4m |
Bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to San Jose. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose usually takes around 7 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 236 mi (380 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 30m |
| Cheapest price | $35.99 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Jose?
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Barbara to San Jose cost $39.98 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 23 days in advance to save up to $19.71.
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to San Jose?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to San Jose 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 | 6h 41m | $69.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 7h 19m | $72.24 |
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 Jose start at $69. 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 San Jose, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Jose
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 236 miles from Santa Barbara to San Jose. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 30 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Jose at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00am. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to San Jose, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Santa Barbara to San Jose. One bus is a direct connection, meaning that you can stay on the same vehicle for the entire trip, without having to transfer onto a connecting bus at any point.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to San Jose; ticket prices start at $65.00.
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 Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
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 San Jose?
Main arrival station: Diridon Station
These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in San Jose.
All bus stations in San Jose:
Diridon Station
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
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Need a return trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
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