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Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria. Traveling by bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria usually takes around 3 hours and 26 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 56 mi (90 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $15.99 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria?
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria cost $31.51 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.
Average prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $27 to $120. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on May 10, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to Santa Maria this week, bus tickets are available starting at $35.
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 $0.94 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria 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 | 4h 44m | $47.03 |
| FlixBus US | 2 | 1h 24m | $27.44 |
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 Maria 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 Santa Maria, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 26 minutes to cover the 56 miles from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 15 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.
Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Santa Maria. 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.
The first bus leaves at 7:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria; 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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
Buses to Santa Maria leave from 10 stations in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
475 Linden Ave
Transportation Center
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
601 Truxtun Ave - Transit Station
Tour Bus Loading Zone
South Strip
Denny's restaurant
Carl's Jr restaurant
Tehachapi Park and Ride
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Maria?
Main arrival station: Santa Maria Bus Stop
All buses from Santa Barbara arrive at one main station in Santa Maria.
All bus stations in Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Bus Stop
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