Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Riverside

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Santa Barbara to Riverside Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 4 daily train trips between Santa Barbara and Riverside. The average train journey from Santa Barbara to Riverside takes 8 hours and 9 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 4 hours and 57 minutes.

	Distance	135 mi (218 km)
	Fastest train	4h 57m
	Lowest price	€34.34
	Most frequent service	Amtrak
	Train lines	1

What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Riverside?

Over the past month, a train ticket between Santa Barbara and Riverside cost €37.20, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Riverside. Booking your trip at least 14 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around €1.76 more.

Monthly avg. prices

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Riverside stay pretty consistent throughout the year. You can expect to pay around €37 regardless of when you plan to travel.

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Riverside?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Riverside. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	4	8h 9m	€37.92

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 4 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Riverside every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €34.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Riverside

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Barbara to Riverside. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between Santa Barbara and Riverside is approximately 135 miles, or 218 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 9 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 57 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Santa Barbara to Riverside on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Thursday. Thursday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00am. 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 4 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 Riverside to Santa Barbara.

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.

Riverside

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Unsplash

Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and the birthplace of the local citrus industry. One of the most popular buildings in the city is the Mission Inn, a historic landmark that is also the largest Mission Revival Style building in the country. The building is now a popular local hotel and spa, offering top-notch hospitality services. While nearby, don't forget to check out the Mission Inn Museum as well. If you are looking to enjoy a great panoramic view of the entire city, take a short hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux, and you will not be disappointed!

Riverside boasts a generally vibrant food scene with plenty of establishments to choose from. The Mission Inn itself offers incredible traditional Spanish dishes and a fabulous open-air patio dining spot. For seasonal produce and local dishes, check out Salted Pig!

Riverside is served by Amtrak trains and several bus companies that operate routes throughout Southern California and beyond. In addition, there are three major airports in Riverside's general area: Ontario International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John Wayne Orange County Airport.

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 Riverside?

Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St - RIVMEG-0

Image credit: Juan Enrique Gilardi

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St

On June 14, 1993, the Riverside station on Vine Street opened as a transportation facility. It comprises a platform with modest shelters to shield visitors from the sun and adverse weather. On April 29, 2002, the station was added as a stop on the Southwest Chief route, putting an end to Amtrak trains just passing through Riverside without making a scheduled stop. In addition to Amtrak, the station now primarily operates as a Metrolink commuter rail and transit bus terminal.

All train stations in Riverside:

Downtown Metrolink Station - 4066 Vine St

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Riverside to Santa Barbara?

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Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Riverside

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Santa Barbara to Riverside Train Schedule

Trip Summary