Cheap train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
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Trip Summary
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara usually takes 2 hours and 47 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 81 mi (130 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 15m |
| Lowest price | $33.00 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 3 |
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San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$44.59 | Avg. Price$30.38Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration2h 47m | Duration2h 12mFaster |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara (Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
5.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara:
- Amtrak tickets: $33 one-way
- Amtrak Coast Starlight tickets: $34 one-way
- Amtrak Pacific Surfliner tickets: $34 one-way
What is the price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara was $41.80. 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 4 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $8.20 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara will cost between $35 and $50. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by month
Ticket prices for the train from San Luis Obispo 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 $36. If you're thinking of traveling from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $40 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 San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 4 days ahead of time, you can save about $8.20 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
There are 3 train lines with service from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 3h 2m | $56.82 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 2h 35m | $49.02 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 3 | 2h 40m | $34.00 |
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 Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $33.
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.
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 3 train trips from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $34.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
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 Luis Obispo. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara for $22.
Trains per day
6
Direct trains
5
The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is approximately 81 miles, or 130 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 47 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.
Distance (mi)
81
Distance (km)
130
The earliest train departs San Luis Obispo at 6:11am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:17pm. 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
6:11am
Last train
4:17pm
Trains from San Luis Obispo 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Wednesday
City Information
San Luis Obispo
San Luis is a remarkable city known for accommodating travelers with different intents - those looking for nightlife, a laid-back experience, or a healthy mix of both. It is also known for its outstanding farmers' market with some of the best fruits and veggies in all of California. The historic Spanish Mission, art galleries, museums, wine, craft beer tasting room, and great restaurants can provide any type of fun you're looking for in the Sunshine State.
Want a truly unique experience? Swing by Bubblegum Alley, with walls lined with chewed bubblegum. Leave some yourself to make your mark! Or, for more traditional art, visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, with galleries displaying work by contemporary California artists.
SLO has two major bus and train stations in San Luis - 1011 Railroad Ave and Grand Avenue, Building 113. FlixBus and Amtrak Thruway buses both service the town for bus transport, and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight provide train options. There is also a county airport that lets you fly in from wherever you are in the world and is located just two miles from the main city.
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 Luis Obispo?
Main departure station: 1011 Railroad Ave
There are two stations in San Luis Obispo where you can board the train to Santa Barbara.
All train stations in San Luis Obispo:
- 1011 Railroad Ave
- 1 Grand Avenue, Building 113
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 Luis Obispo?
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Continue by train from Santa Barbara
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- Santa Barbara to Sacramento Train$85+
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