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Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo usually takes around 5 hours and 2 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 | $18.99 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| 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 $18.99 on average. This is an excellent value for the 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 14 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $47.29 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. Of these two carriers, Amtrak Thruway usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Thruway | 2 | 7h 29m | $62.81 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 2h 24m | $26.20 |
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 $32. 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 2 trips per day from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 2 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 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 San Luis Obispo 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday 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 Luis Obispo, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo; ticket prices start at $26.00.
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
Buses to San Luis Obispo leave from 13 stations in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Transportation Center
South Strip
Tour Bus Loading Zone
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
Denny's restaurant
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
718 West Ventura St
475 Linden Ave
Carl's Jr restaurant
Tehachapi Park and Ride
1611 E Main St
685 N First Ave
Where does the bus arrive in San Luis Obispo?
Main arrival station: 1011 Railroad Ave
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:
1011 Railroad Ave
1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
San Luis Obispo Bus Station
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