Cheap train tickets from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
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Trip Summary
There are usually 10 daily train trips available from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara usually takes 2 hours and 49 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in one hour and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 87 mi (140 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 35m |
| Lowest price | $25.00 |
| Trains per day | 7 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 3 |
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Los Angeles to Santa Barbara Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$37.25 | Avg. Price$28.22Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips10 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration2h 49m | Duration2h 21mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara (Based on 27 ratings and reviews)
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There are several train options that can take you from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara:
- Amtrak tickets: $25 one-way
- Amtrak Coast Starlight tickets: $33 one-way
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner tickets: $25 one-way
What is the price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara was $35.42. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $7.09 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara will cost between $33 and $43. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara by month
Ticket prices for the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in May when the average ticket price is only $35. If you're thinking of traveling from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara during February, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $40 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in February, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about $7.09 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
There are 3 train lines with service from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 6 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 4 | 6h | $76.01 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 2h 3m | $44.86 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 6 | 2h 9m | $27.44 |
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 4 Amtrak trains from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 7 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $25.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.
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 6 train trips from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $25.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara
There are 10 scheduled trains on most days. 7 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 Los Angeles. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara for $17.
Trains per day
10
Direct trains
7
The distance between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara is approximately 87 miles, or 140 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 49 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 hour 35 minutes. As a relatively short ride, taking the train is an easy way to travel between these two cities.
Distance (mi)
87
Distance (km)
140
The earliest train departs Los Angeles at 5:13am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:40pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
First train
5:13am
Last train
8:40pm
Trains from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Friday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Tuesday
City Information
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.
The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.
With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.
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 is the train station in Los Angeles?
Main departure station: Union Station
Union Station is the main train station in Los Angeles and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States. The station was opened in 1939 and has become one of California’s busiest transportation hubs, serving more than 100 thousand passengers per day. Every Amtrak route that goes through Los Angeles stops at Union Station. In addition, the area around the station serves as the main bus stop for several bus carriers that conduct trips in and out of the city. Located in Downtown LA, Union Station offers easy transit connections to other parts of the city via three Metro Rail lines and one Metro Busway line, as well as a shuttle service to LAX airport. Union Station also serves as the main LA hub for six lines of Metrolink, Southern California’s primary commuter rail service.
All train stations in Los Angeles:
- Union Station
- Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
- 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth
- Metrolink Station
- 592 Gayley Ave
Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
Santa Barbara has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
- 209 State Street
Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles?
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