Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Phoenix
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Phoenix. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Phoenix usually takes 12 hours and 41 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 12 hours and 26 minutes.
- Distance
- 442 mi (711 km)
- Fastest train
- 12h 26m
- Lowest price
- $138.00
- Trains per day
- 0
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Santa Barbara to Phoenix Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Barbara to Phoenix?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Santa Barbara to Phoenix.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$160.50 | Avg. Price$122.27Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration12h 41m | Duration11h 15mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Santa Barbara to Phoenix:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Phoenix?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Phoenix was $142.00. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. 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 $50.50 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Phoenix by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Phoenix will cost between $120 and $142. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Phoenix by month
Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Phoenix often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in March when the average ticket price is only $143. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Phoenix during April, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $170 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in April, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Santa Barbara to Phoenix on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time, you can save about $50.50 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Phoenix?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Phoenix. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 12h 41m | $160.50 |
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Phoenix
Trains leave the station in Santa Barbara twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Barbara to Phoenix for $91.
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
0
The distance between Santa Barbara and Phoenix is approximately 442 miles, or 711 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 41 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 26 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)
442
Distance (km)
711
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 6:19pm while the last train of the day leaves at 6:19pm. 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
6:19pm
Last train
6:19pm
Trains from Santa Barbara to Phoenix 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Friday
City Information
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.
Phoenix



Phoenix, in the heart of the American Southwest, is the capital of Arizona and one of the best destinations for escaping the cold winter months. But we won't lie, it can get HOT.
Sure, you can sip a margarita by the pool at any one of the city's many resorts, or you can get outside and experience some of the Sonoran Desert's unique landscapes. For impressive views of the city and the desert beyond, hike up Camelback Mountain, a 2,700-foot humped mountain which resembles a kneeling camel. If you're more a fan of Tiger Woods than camel mountains, see why Phoenix is a top destination for golf at one of the city's 200+ golf courses.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, you too can overcome your sore muscles after a long day of hiking or golfing and get ready to hit the town. After all, Phoenix is one of the biggest party hubs in the U.S. Roosevelt Row, a creative arts district known for its galleries and mural-covered walls, is one of many spots where Phoenix comes to life after dark. Recommended haunts on Roosevelt Row include the Churchill and Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co, as well as The Duce which offers themed nights ranging from Cowboy Night to Burlesque.
Getting to Phoenix is surely easier than getting over your hangover. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a large and busy airport just outside of downtown, and bus service is operated from stations throughout the city connecting Phoenix to destinations in Arizona and beyond. Unfortunately, there is no train service to Phoenix.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
There is one train station in Santa Barbara.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
- 209 State Street
Where is the train station in Phoenix?
Main arrival station: 2525 W Deer Valley Road
Phoenix receives travelers from Santa Barbara at its two active train stations.
All train stations in Phoenix:
- 2525 W Deer Valley Road
- Sky Harbor Apt, Terminal 4 Arrivals, Door 3
Plan your next adventure
More trains from Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara to Irvine Train$47+
- Santa Barbara to Ontario Train$56+
- Santa Barbara to Stockton Train$87+
- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Train$35+
- Santa Barbara to Emeryville Train$102+
- Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano Train$45+
- Santa Barbara to Santa Ana Train$43+
- Santa Barbara to Grover Beach Train$32+
- Santa Barbara to Seattle Train$177+
- Santa Barbara to Martinez Train$44+
- Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe Train$98+
- Santa Barbara to Oceanside Train$51+
- Santa Barbara to San Diego Train$55+
- Santa Barbara to San Jose Train$96+
- Santa Barbara to Moorpark Train$20+
- Santa Barbara to Ventura Train$17+
- Santa Barbara to Camarillo Train$19+
- Santa Barbara to Chicago Train$501+
Continue by train from Phoenix
Check out these popular routes
- Rensselaer to New York Train$51+
- Vancouver to Ontario Train$319+
- Ottawa to Toronto Train$49+
- Montreal to Québec City Train$54+
- Syracuse to New York Train$86+
- Philadelphia to Atlantic City Train
- Toronto to New York Train$168+
- Detroit to Chicago Train$54+
- Montreal to New York Train$95+
- Providence to New Rochelle Train$78+
- San Francisco to Los Angeles Train$71+
- Washington DC to Baltimore Train$24+
- Boston to New York Train$133+
- Richmond to Washington DC Train$27+
- Baltimore to Washington DC Train$23+
- Washington DC to Richmond Train$30+
- Seattle to Vancouver Train$83+
- Providence to Syracuse Train$147+

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.




