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Trip Summary
6 trains operate daily from Santa Barbara to Ventura. The train trip from Santa Barbara to Ventura is usually about 46 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 39 minutes.
| Distance | 29 mi (46 km) |
| Fastest train | 0h 39m |
| Lowest price | $17.00 |
| Trains per day | 6 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Ventura?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Ventura was $17.00. This is basically as cheap as train fares can get. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 11 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $0.20 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Ventura at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Ventura?
2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to Ventura. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 5 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 0h 46m | $17.20 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 1 | 0h 48m | $17.00 |
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 5 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Ventura every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $17.
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 1 train trips from Santa Barbara to Ventura every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trains departing from Santa Barbara to Ventura tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 6 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Santa Barbara to Ventura.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Ventura 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.
Ventura
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Ventura is a beach town near LA, located on the Central Coast of California. It is known for its different beaches, like the San Buenaventura State Beach, which features the wooden Ventura Pier. Ventura is known as one of the best surf towns in America, with scenic coasts and impressive waves. Surfer's Point is the town's most popular spot for surfing and windsurfing. One of the popular tourist locations in the city is Channel Islands National Park, which is a habitat for rare island foxes and scrub jays, and can be accessed by boat from the Ventura Harbor. Explore Main Street in Downtown Ventura for more landmarks and historical sites.
Ventura has a lively art scene, with different galleries and museums in the downtown area. Enjoy entertaining theatre at the Rubicon Theatre Company, or go on short-day cruises with friends and family. The city also offers an eclectic food scene with Polynesian and Nepalese restaurants and wineries that will surprise you. Its nightlife consists of bars, lounges, breweries, comedy clubs, and taprooms, like The Tavern, all littered in Downtown Ventura.
Ventura is easily accessible from other cities by train routes provided by Amtrak and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and bus lines by FlixBus US and Amtrak Thruway. The Ventura County Transportation Commission provides commuter bus routes throughout the city.
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 Ventura?
Main arrival station: Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
Ventura has one train station.
All train stations in Ventura:
Ventura Transit Station Bus Stops
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