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Cheap train tickets from San Diego to Santa Barbara

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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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.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$51.00
Avg. Price
$50.76
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
11
Duration
Duration
9h 28m
Duration
5h 53m

Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from San Diego to Santa Barbara usually takes 5 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 5 hours and 34 minutes.

Distance188 mi (302 km)
Fastest train5h 34m
Lowest price$44.00
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from San Diego to Santa Barbara

(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Leanna

February 4, 2025- Solo travel

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: How friendly everyone was. Cons: Nothing. Tips: Be prepared.

5.0

Pearl

August 30, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: I liked the cafe cart and the outlet that is on the train :). Cons: maybe cleaner bathrooms and better wifi.

5.0

ROY

April 25, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: A friendly crew and clean car make this trip especially enjoyable. Even tracks made for a smooth ride. Cons: Coffee service. An espresso machine would have been nice.

4.0

Justin

October 4, 2019- Business

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

Pros: I liked that I did not have to drive and that I could get work done while traveling for work. Cons: The 4 seater seats should still come with desks. Tips: Get business-class if it is available for sure!

What 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 $48.08. 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 17 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $3.08 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

$75$60$45$30$15SONDJFMAMJJA
Ticket prices for the train from San Diego to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only $48. If you're thinking of traveling from San Diego to Santa Barbara during May, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $55 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in May, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

By booking your train trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 17 days ahead of time, you can save about $3.08 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

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:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak16h 22m$79.25
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner55h 44m$44.04

  • 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 San Diego to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $68.

  • 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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Diego 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 San Diego and Santa Barbara is approximately 188 miles, or 302 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 51 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.

Trains from San Diego to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Saturday. 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.

The earliest train departs San Diego at 4:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:00pm. 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 6 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.

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

Get around town with Moovit

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