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6 trains operate daily from Anaheim to Santa Barbara. The train trip from Anaheim to Santa Barbara is usually about 3 hours and 57 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can get you there in as little as 3 hours and 36 minutes.
| Distance | 110 mi (177 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 36m |
| Lowest price | $37.00 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from Anaheim to Santa Barbara
(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: The scenic route was wonderful. Cons: The plugs weren’t working in the business class area.
5.0
Pros: So relax. Cons: I will go again I like it. Tips: I didn’t know I can give them a tips this is first time now I know.
4.0
Booking through Wanderu was super easy & helpful - will definitely use Wanderu from now on.
Over the past month, a train ticket between Anaheim and Santa Barbara cost $38.01, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Santa Barbara. Booking your trip at least 29 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $2.27 more.
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Anaheim to Santa Barbara will cost between $37 and $40. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Santa Barbara at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
2 train services operate from Anaheim to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 4h 24m | $41.05 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 4 | 3h 42m | $37.00 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from Anaheim to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $37.
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 4 train trips from Anaheim to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $37.
The distance between Anaheim and Santa Barbara is approximately 110 miles, or 177 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 57 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 36 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Anaheim to Santa Barbara on Sunday. Tickets for Sunday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Friday. Friday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Anaheim at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to Santa Barbara. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to Anaheim.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Known and beloved for the famous Disneyland Resort, Anaheim is one of California's top destinations, offering magical resorts, theme parks, and stellar shopping districts. The crown of Anaheim is Disneyland Resort, one of the most famous theme parks in the world. Featuring numerous themed areas such as Tomorrowland, Frontierland, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, the park will enchant you all day! If you are not into the fanfares of Disneyland, the more affordable Adventure City is a good alternative. Yorba Regional Park, located just 10 miles east of downtown Anaheim, is a pleasant spot for picnicking and strolling along the Santa Ana River.
Disneyland is a popular destination for foodies, offering a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from Creole dishes to Mediterranean ones; some restaurants even feature meet & greets with your favorite Disney characters. However, if you wish to dine like a true local outside of Micky Mouse's reach, don't hesitate to check out the Anaheim Packing District, which features as many as 20 artisan eateries.
Anaheim's principal bus station is the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, located at 2626 E Katella Ave near Angel Stadium downtown. Bus travelers can take Greyhound or FlixBus US intercity buses heading inbound and outbound from the city or hop on an Amtrak train at the adjacent train station.
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.
Image credit: Ron Reiring
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Jay Stewart
Link to image attributionThe futuristic Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) at 2626 E Katella Ave is one of California's busiest intermodal transit centers. The station is both an iconic gateway to Orange County and a tourism destination in itself. The curved design features diamond-shaped steel arches, recreating the grandeur of major early 20th-century railway stations. This immense transit hub links Amtrak, Greyhound, OCTA bus service, Metrolink, and Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) services. It has everything: transit-oriented retail, parking, lockers, bike racks, specialty dining, and community space. ARTIC is near several points of interest, including Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center.
Anaheim Stadium Parking - 2626 E Katella Ave
Santa Barbara has one train station.
209 State Street
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