Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Santa Barbara
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Trip Summary
There are usually 7 daily train trips available from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from San Diego to Santa Barbara usually takes 5 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 5 hours and 34 minutes.
| Distance | 188 mi (302 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 34m |
| Lowest price | $44.00 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
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San Diego to Santa Barbara Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$53.22 | Avg. Price$51.00Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration5h 54mFaster | Duration9h 28m |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Diego to Santa Barbara (Based on 5 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
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4.0
There are several train options that can take you from San Diego to Santa Barbara:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara was $48.92. 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 27 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $7.87 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Santa Barbara by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara will cost between $48 and $71. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Diego to Santa Barbara by month
Taking the train from San Diego to Santa Barbara usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $50 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from San Diego to Santa Barbara doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.
Which train should you take from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
2 train services operate from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 6h 29m | $82.33 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 5 | 5h 44m | $44.02 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from San Diego to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $65.
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 5 train trips from San Diego to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $44.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Diego to Santa Barbara
There are 7 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these 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 Diego. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara for $51.
Trains per day
7
Direct trains
5
The distance between San Diego and Santa Barbara is approximately 188 miles, or 302 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 54 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 34 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)
188
Distance (km)
302
The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:01am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:10pm. 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
4:01am
Last train
4:10pm
Trains from San Diego to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Thursday
City Information
San Diego
San Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
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 Diego?
Main departure station: 4005 Taylor St
There are two stations in San Diego where you can board the train to Santa Barbara.
All train stations in San Diego:
- 4005 Taylor St
- Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
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 Diego?
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