4.0
Pros: Being away for a time enjoying each other’s company. Cons: Provide vacationers with info re: distance to downtown and alternatives to car travel, bus schedules, shuttles and taxis. We traveled by Amtrak so getting around was difficult.
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Trip Summary
There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Riverside to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from Riverside to Santa Barbara usually takes 6 hours and 48 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 5 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 135 mi (218 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 45m |
| Lowest price | $32.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Riverside to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
What is the price of a train ticket from Riverside to Santa Barbara?
Over the past month, a train ticket between Riverside and Santa Barbara cost $38.25, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Santa Barbara. Booking your trip at least 28 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $6.61 more.
Monthly avg. prices
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Riverside to Santa Barbara, with the average price at just $37. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in October, when the average price goes up to $47. 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 Riverside to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $6.61 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Riverside to Santa Barbara?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Riverside to Santa Barbara. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 4 | 6h 48m | $43.93 |
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 Riverside to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $32.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Riverside 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 Riverside and Santa Barbara is approximately 135 miles, or 218 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 48 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 45 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.
Saturday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Riverside to Santa Barbara. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Saturday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Tuesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Riverside at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 4 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, 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 Riverside.
City Information
Riverside
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!
Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!
Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.
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 Riverside?
Image credit: Juan Enrique Gilardi
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
On June 14, 1993, the Riverside station on Vine Street opened as a transportation facility. It comprises a platform with modest shelters to shield visitors from the sun and adverse weather. On April 29, 2002, the station was added as a stop on the Southwest Chief route, putting an end to Amtrak trains just passing through Riverside without making a scheduled stop. In addition to Amtrak, the station now primarily operates as a Metrolink commuter rail and transit bus terminal.
All train stations in Riverside:
Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St
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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Continue by train from Santa Barbara
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- Train from Santa Barbara to Fresno
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- Santa Barbara to Glendale Train
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- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Train
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- Santa Barbara to Martinez Train
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- Santa Barbara to Modesto
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- Train from Santa Barbara to Oceanside
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- Santa Barbara to Oxnard Train
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- Train from Santa Barbara to Richmond
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- Santa Barbara to Riverside Train
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- Santa Barbara to Sacramento
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- Santa Barbara to Santa Ana Train
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- Train from Santa Barbara to Chicago
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