Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz usually takes 11 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 49 minutes.
| Distance | 220 mi (353 km) |
| Fastest train | 9h 49m |
| Lowest price | $73.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz was $73.00. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Santa Cruz if you book your train tickets at least 15 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $21.00.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz by month
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz. 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 | 11h 34m | $98.24 |
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 1 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $73.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz
The distance between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz is approximately 220 miles, or 353 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 49 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 from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Santa Barbara at 8:00am and arrives in Santa Cruz around 9 hours later.
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 Santa Cruz 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.
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 Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara to Camarillo Train
$19+
- Santa Barbara to Davis Train
$86+
- Santa Barbara to Emeryville Train
$83+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Fullerton
$36+
- Santa Barbara to Glendale Train
$30+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Grover Beach
$32+
- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Train
$28+
- Santa Barbara to Martinez Train
$78+
- Santa Barbara to Oakland Train
$87+
- Santa Barbara to Paso Robles
$50+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego
$44+
- Santa Barbara to San Francisco Train
$77+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Jose
$92+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano
$39+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Santa Rosa
$84+
- Train from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe
$90+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Chicago
$384+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Seattle
$184+
Continue by train from Santa Cruz
Check out these popular routes
- Toronto to Vancouver
$426+
- Montreal to Québec Train
$53+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
$151+
- Washington D.C. to Richmond Train
$35+
- Train from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale
$40+
- Chicago to New York Train
$184+
- Train from Indianapolis to Chicago
$41+
- Train from Boston to Philadelphia
$200+
- Newark to New York
$16+
- Train from Las Vegas to Los Angeles
$92+
- New York to Toronto Train
$142+
- New York to Chicago Train
$191+
- Train from New York to Rochester
$91+
- Rochester to New York
$89+
- Philadelphia to Boston Train
$186+
- Train from Leavenworth to Seattle
$385+
- Train from Seattle to Leavenworth
$391+
- Train from Vancouver to Seattle
$44+
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.