Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Chicago

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Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Chicago. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Chicago usually takes 2 days and 11 hours, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 1 day, 23 hours, and 59 minutes.

Distance: 1805 mi (2905 km)
Fastest train: 47h 59m
Lowest price: MX$4,645.82
Trains per day: 0
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 1

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Santa Barbara to Chicago Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Santa Barbara to Chicago.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceMX$12,367.09	Avg. PriceMX$4,487.08Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips6	Daily Trips3
Duration	Duration59h	Duration57h 33mFaster

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

Amtrak tickets: MX$4,646 one-way

See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Chicago was MX$9,375. Considering the distance between Santa Barbara and Chicago, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 2 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around MX$3,657.47 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Chicago by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Chicago often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only MX$5,273. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Chicago during April, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of MX$12,297 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in April, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Santa Barbara to Chicago on Wanderu at least 2 days ahead of time, you can save about MX$3,657.47 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Chicago?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Chicago. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	6	59h	MX$12,367.05

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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Barbara to Chicago. 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.

There are 6 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 Chicago to Santa Barbara. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Barbara to Chicago for MX$3,927.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Barbara and Chicago is approximately 1,805 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 days and 11 hours, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 23 hours, and 59 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)

1805

Distance (km)

2905

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 8:49 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 10:05 PM. 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

8:49am

Last train

10:05pm

Trains from Santa Barbara to Chicago 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.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Tuesday

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.

Chicago

Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.

You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.

Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.

Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.

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 Chicago?

Main arrival station: Union Station

The historic Chicago Union Station is the United States' third busiest train station and a hub for 15 Amtrak train lines with destinations throughout the country. The station also serves bus carriers like Greyhound, Indian Trails and Jefferson Lines, and offers connections to Metra commuter lines. Union Station is also just a quick walk to the nearest Chicago L lines. The current station was built in 1925, to replace the original one dating back to 1881, and today wows visitors with its impressive facade, massive columns, and opulent Great Hall. Located right in downtown and adjacent to the Chicago Loop, Union Station is equipped with many services and amenities, including phone charging stations, shops, and various food and drink options.

All train stations in Chicago:

Union Station

Need a return trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

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