4.0
Pros: did not have to drive the freeways with all the traffic. Cons: Spend more time in Santa Barbara, just did a turn around, long day. Tips: great, no stress way to travel.
Santa Ana to Santa Barbara train
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Trip Summary
You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Santa Ana and Santa Barbara. The average train journey from Santa Ana to Santa Barbara takes 4 hours and 7 minutes, but some Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train trips are as short as 3 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 115 mi (185 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 45m |
| Lowest price | $37.00 |
| Trains per day | 5 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Santa Ana to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Price trends for trains from Santa Ana to Santa Barbara
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Which train should you take from Santa Ana to Santa Barbara?
2 train services operate from Santa Ana 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 | 2 | 4h 36m | $42.48 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 4 | 3h 51m | $37.00 |
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 Santa Ana to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $37.
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 Santa Ana to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $37.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are some trains that travel the entire distance from Santa Ana to Santa Barbara. However, in some cases you will have to take a bus for part of your journey in addition to taking the train.
The distance between Santa Ana and Santa Barbara is approximately 115 miles, or 185 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 7 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 45 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 Santa Ana to Santa Barbara tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. 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 Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Santa Ana at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 Santa Ana.
City Information
Santa Ana
Image credit: Unsplash
Santa Ana is a sunny city in Orange County located between Anaheim and Irvine in the greater Los Angeles area. Downtown Santa Ana bustles with independent breweries, diverse restaurants, unique retail shops, weekly pop-up markets, and art centers. This lively downtown area, in addition to Santa Ana's live-work housing and creative working spaces, make it attractive to young professionals.
One of the most popular spots for visitors is the Santa Ana Zoo, where little ones can enjoy a carousel and mini-train ride along with the animal exhibits. Architecture enthusiasts will love seeing the Bowers Museum, built in a Mission Revival style, and the Heritage Museum, which has restored homes from the 1890s.
The Orange County Transportation Authority and several shuttle services provide transit within Santa Ana. Santa Ana is easily accessible from over 20 other cities by Amtrak Thruway bus or on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. The primary airport for Orange County, John Wayne Airport, is located in Santa Ana and also makes it easy to travel to this vibrant SoCal spot.
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 Santa Ana?
Main departure station: Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana Blvd
There is one train station in Santa Ana.
All train stations in Santa Ana:
Reg Transp Ctr - 1000 E Santa Ana 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
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