Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz usually takes 11 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 9 hours and 4 minutes.

Distance: 220 mi (353 km)
Fastest train: 9h 4m
Lowest price: $88.00
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz Train Schedule

There are several train options that can take you from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz:

Amtrak tickets: $88 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz was $88.00. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 8 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $24.25 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz will cost between $62 and $95. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in April when the average ticket price is only $99. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $121 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 Santa Cruz on Wanderu at least 8 days ahead of time, you can save about $24.25 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

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. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	11h 30m	$103.40

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 2 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $88.

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

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. You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz for $113.

Trains per day

Direct trains

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 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 4 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)

220

Distance (km)

353

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 11:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 12:15pm. 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

11:00am

Last train

12:15pm

Trains from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz are the most crowded on Thursday. 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

Thursday

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.

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

Need a return trip from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara?

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