Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Seattle
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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Seattle. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Seattle usually takes 31 hours and 47 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 31 hours and 36 minutes.
| Distance | 921 mi (1482 km) |
| Fastest train | 31h 36m |
| Lowest price | $178.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
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Santa Barbara to Seattle Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Santa Barbara to Seattle?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Santa Barbara to Seattle.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$297.24 | Avg. Price$164.24Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration31h 47mFaster | Duration39h 10m |
There are several train options that can take you from Santa Barbara to Seattle:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Seattle?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Seattle was $217.25. Considering the distance between Santa Barbara and Seattle, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 22 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $795.75 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Seattle by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Seattle will cost between $151 and $279. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Seattle by month
Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Seattle often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $183. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Seattle during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $318 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 Seattle on Wanderu at least 22 days ahead of time, you can save about $795.75 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Santa Barbara to Seattle?
There are multiple trains that travel from Santa Barbara to Seattle, including Amtrak, Amtrak Coast Starlight. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 31h 56m | $270.44 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 31h 36m | $327.38 |
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 Seattle every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $228.
The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Seattle
Trains leave the station in Santa Barbara twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Seattle faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Seattle to Santa Barbara. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Santa Barbara to Seattle for $131.
TRIPS PER DAY
2
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Santa Barbara and Seattle is approximately 921 miles, or 1482 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 31 hours and 47 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 31 hours and 36 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)
921
DISTANCE (KM)
1482
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.
EARLIEST TRAIN
11:00am
LATEST TRAIN
12:15pm
Trains from Santa Barbara to Seattle are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Monday
LEAST CROWDED
Sunday
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.
Seattle
Seattle is a must-see destination on the West Coast of the United States, offering many unique activities for any type of traveler. However, we're confident every visitor will enjoy the view of Mount Rainier from the top of Seattle's iconic Space Needle. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike, hike, boat, and ski in one of the top cities for outdoor activities in the U.S., while soaking in the Pacific Northwest's natural beauty (and yes, some rain as well). Urban explorers will love walking through Pike Place Market and experiencing Seattle's museums and public art, like the scenic Olympic Sculpture Park. These offerings and more make Seattle one of the best vacation destination in Washington.
Known for its coffee culture and as the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle is also one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the U.S., which is ideal for those who prefer to experience the taste of a city served up in a latte mug or a pint glass.
Seattle is home to the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, but there are plenty of other ways to continue your travels from the Emerald City. A short ferry ride to Bainbridge Island includes the chance to see orca whales in the Puget Sound, or you can catch the Amtrak Cascades train or one of several affordable bus options from the historic King Street Station to other exciting Northwest cities in British Columbia, Oregon and beyond.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from 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 does the train arrive in Seattle?
Main arrival station: King St Station - 303 S Jackson St
King Street Station is the main station for Amtrak train service and Greyhound bus service in Seattle, with connections to local public transit like the Link Light Rail and King County Metro at the International District/Chinatown station one block away. Located near downtown Seattle in the trendy Pioneer Square neighborhood, King Street Station opened in 1906 and continues to impress travelers with its restored Italian architecture and Venetian-style clocktower. King Street Station has on-site Amtrak staff, restrooms, and vending machines, and while there are no restaurants in the station, several nearby coffee shops and eateries make it easy to fuel up before your trip.
All train stations in Seattle:
- King St Station - 303 S Jackson St
Need a return trip from Seattle to Santa Barbara?
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