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On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Monterey to Santa Barbara. The train trip from Monterey to Santa Barbara is usually about 7 hours and 49 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 7 hours and 27 minutes.
| Distance | 195 mi (313 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 27m |
| Lowest price | $63.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Monterey to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: Lovely relaxed way to travel Great lounge coach for scenery viewing. Perfect way to get from A to B. Cons: More information in advance about the trip. I did not know that there was a dining car on the train or that I could have booked a meal. Tips: Do it.
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Monterey to Santa Barbara was $66.20. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Santa Barbara if you book your train tickets at least 24 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $38.00.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Monterey to Santa Barbara. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 7h 49m | $90.45 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Monterey to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $63.
The distance between Monterey and Santa Barbara is approximately 195 miles, or 313 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 49 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 27 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.
Trains from Monterey to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Monterey at 10:00am and arrives in Santa Barbara around 7 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to Monterey.
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.
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 5 stops and stations in Monterey where you can board the train.
351 Fremont St
Marriott
1 Old Golf Course Rd
500 Tyler St
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Santa Barbara has one train station.
209 State Street
$76+
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$84+
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$184+
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With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
