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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara usually takes around one hour and 20 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 | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara?
Bus tickets for a trip from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara cost $15.99 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 6 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $14.01 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. FlixBus US is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 1h 21m | $24.97 |
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 Maria to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of one hour and 20 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.
Because many passengers travel from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 5:00pm and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. Both of these are direct buses, meaning that you do not have to worry about transferring buses at any point during your trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara; 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 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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