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Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana usually takes around 6 hours and 50 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 115 mi (185 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $25.98 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana. FlixBus US is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 6h 50m | $48.32 |
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
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 50 minutes to cover the 115 miles from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana. It leaves the station in Santa Barbara at 3:00pm 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 Santa Ana. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to Santa Ana; 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.
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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