Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Modesto
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Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Modesto. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Modesto usually takes 10 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 7 hours and 44 minutes.
| Distance | 234 mi (376 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 44m |
| Lowest price | $67.00 |
| Trains per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
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Santa Barbara to Modesto Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Barbara to Modesto?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Santa Barbara to Modesto.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$107.78 | Avg. Price$87.91Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration10h 38mFaster | Duration14h 33m |
There are several train options that can take you from Santa Barbara to Modesto:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Modesto?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Modesto was $85.50. The further in advance you book your travels, the more likely it is you can find tickets at this price or lower.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Modesto by month
Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Modesto often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $79. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Modesto during August, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $91 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in August, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
You can score the best price on a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Modesto by booking on Wanderu in advance. Tickets are nearly always cheaper the further in advance you purchase them.
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Modesto?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Modesto. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 10h 38m | $107.78 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Modesto every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $67.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Modesto
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Modesto to Santa Barbara. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Barbara to Modesto for $63.
Trains per day
3
Direct trains
0
The distance between Santa Barbara and Modesto is approximately 234 miles, or 376 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 44 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)
234
Distance (km)
376
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 7:35am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:05pm. 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
7:35am
Last train
10:05pm
Trains from Santa Barbara to Modesto are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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
Wednesday
Least crowded
Wednesday
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.
Modesto
Modesto is a city in Central Valley, California. The city is known for its large agricultural industry and number of museums. Modesto is home to museums, natural history sites, and planetariums, like the Great Valley Museum and McHenry Museum. It also has different amusement and recreational centers offering playgrounds, rides, go-cart, and more, like Funworks Modesto and Graceada Park. As for nature lovers, Modesto features places for sports, hiking, camping, fishing, and picnics, like Jacob Myers Park and Ceres River Bluff Regional Park. The city is also a fun place for arts with the Graffiti Summer and the Gallo Center for the Arts.
The CA city is ideal for all craft beer and wine lovers, as it has several breweries and wineries to visit. Modesto also has a vibrant nightlife, with different nightclubs, lounges, bars, and restaurants, and is always brimming with pool parties, trance festivals, DJ nights, and more. Downtown Modesto has become a vibrant place for shopping, dining, and parties.
Modesto features several train and bus lines for those in and around the city. The city is easily accessible by Amtrak and Amtrak Gold Runner for trains, while Tufesa Plus offers bus services. The City of Modesto Transit Services powers the city's transportation.
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 Modesto?
Main arrival station: 1700 Held Dr
Modesto has one train station.
All train stations in Modesto:
- 1700 Held Dr
Need a return trip from Modesto to Santa Barbara?
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