Cheap train tickets from Sacramento to Santa Barbara
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 8 daily train trips available from Sacramento to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from Sacramento to Santa Barbara usually takes 11 hours and 15 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours and 52 minutes.
| Distance | 304 mi (490 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 52m |
| Lowest price | $61.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Download our free app!
Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
4.8 Rating
5k Reviews
4.5 Rating
4.8k Reviews
Sacramento to Santa Barbara Train Schedule
There are several train options that can take you from Sacramento to Santa Barbara:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Santa Barbara?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Sacramento to Santa Barbara was $61.00. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 14 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $56.23 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Sacramento to Santa Barbara by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Sacramento to Santa Barbara will cost between $80 and $103. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Sacramento to Santa Barbara by month
Ticket prices for the train from Sacramento to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $83. If you're thinking of traveling from Sacramento to Santa Barbara during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $111 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Sacramento to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 14 days ahead of time, you can save about $56.23 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Sacramento to Santa Barbara?
There are multiple trains that travel from Sacramento to Santa Barbara, including Amtrak, Amtrak Coast Starlight. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 8 | 11h 14m | $105.22 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 11h 24m | $130.80 |
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 8 Amtrak trains from Sacramento to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $61.
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 about traveling by train from Sacramento to Santa Barbara
The distance between Sacramento and Santa Barbara is approximately 304 miles, or 490 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 15 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 52 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
304
DISTANCE (KM)
490
The earliest train departs Sacramento at 4:20am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:03pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
4:20am
LATEST TRAIN
7:03pm
Trains from Sacramento to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Sunday. 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.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Tuesday
City Information
Sacramento
As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.
Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.
The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.
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 does the train leave from in Sacramento?
Main departure station: Valley Station - 401 I St
Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.
All train stations in Sacramento:
- Valley Station - 401 I St
Where does the train arrive 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 Sacramento?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Sacramento
- Sacramento to Rocklin Train$10+
- Sacramento to Detroit Train$376+
- Sacramento to Denair Train$22+
- Sacramento to Omaha Train$225+
- Sacramento to Klamath Falls Train$84+
- Sacramento to Auburn Train$15+
- Sacramento to Oceanside Train$83+
- Sacramento to Boston Train$542+
- Sacramento to Reno Train$59+
- Sacramento to Palm Springs Train$88+
- Sacramento to Los Angeles Train$90+
- Sacramento to Hayward Train$31+
- Sacramento to Indianapolis Train$390+
- Sacramento to San Francisco Train$37+
- Sacramento to Austin Train$385+
- Sacramento to Fairfield Train$14+
- Sacramento to Riverside Train$83+
- Sacramento to San Jose Train$39+
Continue by train from Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara to Palm Springs Train$40+
- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Train$36+
- Santa Barbara to Davis Train$58+
- Santa Barbara to Burbank Train$30+
- Santa Barbara to Emeryville Train$103+
- Santa Barbara to Fresno Train$51+
- Santa Barbara to Carpinteria Train$8+
- Santa Barbara to Las Vegas Train
- Santa Barbara to Riverside Train$44+
- Santa Barbara to Portland Train$202+
- Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea Train$94+
- Santa Barbara to San Diego Train$53+
- Santa Barbara to Oxnard Train$26+
- Santa Barbara to San Francisco Train$94+
- Santa Barbara to Phoenix Train$157+
- Santa Barbara to Solvang Train
- Santa Barbara to San Jose Train$98+
- Santa Barbara to Santa Ana Train$44+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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.