Cheap train tickets from San Jose to Santa Barbara
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Jose to Santa Barbara.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$60.93 | Avg. Price$79.96 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration8h 56m | Duration7h 12m |
Trip Summary
3 trains operate daily from San Jose to Santa Barbara. The train trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara is usually about 7 hours and 15 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 6 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 236 mi (380 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 35m |
| Lowest price | $52.00 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Jose to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
Over the past month, a train ticket between San Jose and Santa Barbara cost $72.17, on average. Booking your trip at least 23 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $8.50 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Mark your calendar for June if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from San Jose to Santa Barbara. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of $62. If you're planning a trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara during March, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about $83 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you're looking to save on your train trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara, book online with Wanderu at least 23 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $8.50 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Which train should you take from San Jose to Santa Barbara?
2 train services operate from San Jose to Santa Barbara. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 7h 0m | $83.81 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 7h 47m | $67.54 |
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 Jose to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $69.
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 San Jose to Santa Barbara
Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from San Jose 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 Jose and Santa Barbara is approximately 236 miles, or 380 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 15 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 35 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 departing from San Jose to Santa Barbara tend to have the most passengers on Monday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Monday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs San Jose at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 2:00pm. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. 2 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 Jose.
City Information
San Jose
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
San Jose is located in the heart of the world-famous Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. It is the largest city in Northern California and, as such, it is the area’s cultural, political and financial center.
While you’re in San Jose, make sure to check out the city’s various museums. Since you’re in the world’s foremost technology hub, the Tech Museum of Innovation is a must-visit. And since you’re on the West Coast, you should stop by the San Jose Museum of Art that features the largest permanent collection of works from West Coast artists.
Thanks to its mild California climate, San Jose is one of the best cities in the U.S. for outdoor activities, and due to its largely younger-leaning population, it offers quite the vibrant nightlife. In fact, San Jose is among the biggest party hubs in America.
San Jose is served by various bus carriers and has several Amtrak stops within its vicinity. In addition, the city’s airport is located right near the downtown area, which makes travel to and from San Jose a breeze.
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 Jose?
Image credit: SPUR
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill St
Diridon Station opened in 1935 with architecture inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and today is a vital part of Silicon Valley’s transportation system. Diridon Station connects Amtrak train service to local commuter service like the Caltrain and VTA Light Rail. The station is also a major hub for bus transit on Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound buses. With paid parking onsite, bicycle racks, and accessible entrances, travelers can easily reach the station from nearby downtown San Jose. As a bonus, food trucks frequently set up outside the station to provide delicious cheap eats for passengers.
All train stations in San Jose:
Diridon Caltrain Station - 65 Cahill 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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