Cheap bus tickets from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana
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Santa Barbara to Santa Ana Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana?
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$41.37 | Avg. Price$46.21 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips6 |
Duration | Duration6h 37m | Duration5h 42m |
Bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana usually takes around 6 hours and 50 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 115 mi (185 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 10m |
| Cheapest price | $34.47 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana 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 | 5h 54m | $39.21 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 7h 44m | $55.06 |
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 Santa Ana start at $39. 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 Santa Ana, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 50 minutes to cover the 115 miles from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 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.
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, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 1:00pm and the last bus leaves at 9:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana; ticket prices start at $32.00.
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.
Santa Ana
Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
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 Santa Ana?
Main arrival station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
All buses from Santa Barbara arrive at one main station in Santa Ana.
All bus stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
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Need a return trip from Santa Ana to Santa Barbara?
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