4.0
Pros: Fun place to go. Great weather. Cons: Bathrooms on train were deplorable. Tips: Return trip was 2hours late coming home.
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Trip Summary
You can pick from 8 daily train trips between Martinez and Santa Barbara. The average train journey from Martinez to Santa Barbara takes 10 hours and 7 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 9 hours.
| Distance | 283 mi (456 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 0m |
| Lowest price | $45.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Martinez to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Martinez to Santa Barbara?
The average price for a train ticket from Martinez to Santa Barbara is $65.69, By booking your trip at least 27 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $23.27 more.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Martinez to Santa Barbara will cost between $63 and $69. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Monthly average prices
You can find the lowest prices on this route during November. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Martinez to Santa Barbara, with the average price at just $61. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in July, when the average price goes up to $69. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Martinez to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $23.27 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Martinez to Santa Barbara?
2 train services operate from Martinez to Santa Barbara. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 7 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 7 | 10h 6m | $68.61 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 10h 18m | $67.86 |
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 7 Amtrak trains from Martinez to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $45.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Martinez to Santa Barbara. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.
The distance between Martinez and Santa Barbara is approximately 283 miles, or 456 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 7 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours,
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.
Trains departing from Martinez to Santa Barbara tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Martinez at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. 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 8 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Martinez to Santa Barbara. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to Martinez.
City Information
Martinez
Martinez is a community in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area located on the southern bank of the Carquinez Strait. It's known for its antique shops and wonderfully preserved historic structures. Martinez, founded in 1849, is one of California's oldest towns, with almost 40,000 residents and a thriving downtown area packed with things to see and do. Martinez is a busy waterfront neighborhood with a diverse range of retail, service, entertainment, and food options.
If you are a museum lover, the Martinez Museum is dedicated to preserving Martinez's history and legacy. If you're not into the museum vibe, you can check out the amazing George Miller Trail, which connects Martinez and Port Costa. The trail is open to walkers, bikers, and equestrians.
Martinez's Amtrak has several train lines that stop in downtown Martinez, making it an ideal mode of transportation to get to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and more. Buses from Laytonville, Rohnert Park, Garberville, Eureka, and Ukiah go to Martinez. The closest airport is the Oakland International Airport, which is about 40 miles away.
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 Martinez?
Main departure station: 601 Marina Vista Ave
There is one train station in Martinez.
All train stations in Martinez:
601 Marina Vista 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
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