Cheap train tickets from San Clemente to Santa Barbara

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Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Clemente to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from San Clemente to Santa Barbara usually takes 4 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 4 hours and 24 minutes.

Distance: 138 mi (222 km)
Fastest train: 4h 24m
Lowest price: MX$737.43
Trains per day: 4
Most frequent service: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines: 2

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San Clemente to Santa Barbara Train Schedule

There are several train options that can take you from San Clemente to Santa Barbara:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from San Clemente to Santa Barbara?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Clemente to Santa Barbara was MX$737. 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 6 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around MX$124.44 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from San Clemente to Santa Barbara by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Clemente to Santa Barbara will cost between MX$737 and MX$866. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from San Clemente to Santa Barbara by month

Ticket prices for the train from San Clemente to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in December when the average ticket price is only MX$756. If you're thinking of traveling from San Clemente to Santa Barbara during February, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of MX$848 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 San Clemente to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 6 days ahead of time, you can save about MX$124.44 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from San Clemente to Santa Barbara?

2 train services operate from San Clemente to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	4h 48m	MX$1,259.39
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner	4	4h 29m	MX$737.43

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 is 1 Amtrak train from San Clemente to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 1 trip on the weekends, with prices starting from MX$1,050.84.
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 4 train trips from San Clemente to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from MX$737.43.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Clemente to Santa Barbara

There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. Of these, 4 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 San Clemente.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between San Clemente and Santa Barbara is approximately 138 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 24 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)

138

Distance (km)

222

The earliest train departs San Clemente at 7:20 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 5:20 PM. 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

7:20am

Last train

5:20pm

Trains from San Clemente to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Thursday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

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 San Clemente?

Main departure station: 615 Ave Victoria at San Clemente Pier

There is one train station in San Clemente.

All train stations in San Clemente:

615 Ave Victoria at San Clemente Pier

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 San Clemente?

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