Cheap bus tickets from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara
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Santa Maria to Santa Barbara Bus Schedule
Bus from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara usually takes around one hour and 25 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 | $33.00 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Thruway |
| Bus lines | 2 |
Price trends for buses from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara
Monthly avg. prices
What bus companies travel from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara 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 | 1h 25m | $33.00 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 1h 15m | $16.48 |
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 Maria to Santa Barbara 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 Maria to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara
The bus takes an average of one hour and 25 minutes to cover the 56 miles from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 15 minutes. You'll have just enough time for a small nap on this relatively short bus 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.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, 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 Maria to Santa Barbara. It leaves the station in Santa Maria at 8:00pm 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 Maria to Santa Barbara. 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 Maria to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at $33.00.
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 Maria?
Main departure station: Santa Maria Bus Stop
Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Maria.
All bus stations in Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Bus Stop
Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
All buses from Santa Maria arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.
All bus stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
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