Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea usually takes 7 hours and 30 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.

Distance: 193 mi (311 km)
Fastest train: 7h 30m
Lowest price: MX$1,632.41
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea Train Schedule

There are several train options that can take you from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea:

Amtrak tickets: MX$1,632 one-way

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea was MX$1,632. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 26 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around MX$769.30 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea will cost between MX$1,632 and MX$2,420. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in November when the average ticket price is only MX$1,839. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of MX$2,139 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 Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time, you can save about MX$769.30 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	7h 30m	MX$2,094.58

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 is 1 Amtrak train from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea every day, as well as 1 trip on the weekends, with prices starting from MX$1,632.41.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea

While the train is the main method of transportation from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. 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 transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Carmel-By-The-Sea to Santa Barbara.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Barbara and Carmel-By-The-Sea is approximately 193 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 7 hours and 30 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)

193

Distance (km)

311

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Santa Barbara at 12:15 PM and arrives in Carmel-By-The-Sea around 7 hours later.

First train

12:15pm

Last train

12:15pm

Trains from Santa Barbara to Carmel-By-The-Sea 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Sunday

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.

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 Carmel-By-The-Sea?

Main arrival station: 3645 Rio Rd

Carmel-By-The-Sea has one train station.

All train stations in Carmel-By-The-Sea:

3645 Rio Rd

Need a return trip from Carmel-By-The-Sea to Santa Barbara?

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