Cheap bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo?
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$29.95 | Avg. Price$36.34 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips2 |
Duration | Duration2h 27m | Duration2h 46m |
Bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo usually takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 81 mi (130 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $19.99 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo?
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo cost $21.99 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
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 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $4.97 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo 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 | 2h 35m | $33.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 2h 11m | $25.15 |
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 Luis Obispo start at $33. 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 Luis Obispo, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 20 minutes to cover the 81 miles from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 10 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in San Luis Obispo. 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, 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.
There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. It leaves the station in Santa Barbara at 7:00am 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 Luis Obispo. 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 Luis Obispo; ticket prices start at $28.00.
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 Luis Obispo
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.
Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.
SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.
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 Luis Obispo?
Main arrival station: San Luis Obispo Bus Station
Buses arrive in San Luis Obispo at 3 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
All bus stations in San Luis Obispo:
San Luis Obispo Bus Station
1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
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