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Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Vancouver. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Vancouver usually takes 29 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 27 hours and 52 minutes.
| Distance | 791 mi (1272 km) |
| Fastest train | 27h 52m |
| Lowest price | $124.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Vancouver?
The average price for a train ticket from Santa Barbara to Vancouver is $135.33, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 15 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $102.58 more.
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Vancouver?
2 train services operate from Santa Barbara to Vancouver. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 1d 5h 53m | $217.01 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 1d 3h 53m | $311.58 |
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 Vancouver every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $131.
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
The distance between Santa Barbara and Vancouver is approximately 791 miles, or 1272 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 29 hours and 13 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 27 hours and 52 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 departing from Santa Barbara to Vancouver 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 Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 9:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 12:00pm. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Santa Barbara to Vancouver. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Vancouver 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.
Vancouver
Image credit: Unsplash
Vancouver sits on the northern banks of the Columbia River in Washington and is the state's fourth most populated city. The surrounding Cascade Mountains offer incredible Pacific Northwest adventures. Mount Saint Helens and Mount Hood, two snow-topped volcanoes, are within short drives of Vancouver for easy access to hikes and ski runs. Beacon Rock State Park includes a trail to the summit of a monolithic rock formation. Plus, the Columbia River Gorge is easily one of the best destinations in Washington for breathtaking scenery.
Vancouver is located just across the Columbia from Portland, and Interstates 5 and 205 have north to south bridges connecting Portland to Vancouver. Within the city, you will find Vancouver's mass transit system, C-Tran, to get around with ease.
Several Amtrak services operate from Vancouver, including the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and Cascades routes. If you're arriving by air, the nearest airport is Portland International Airport, just a few minutes' drive from downtown Vancouver.
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 Vancouver?
Main arrival station: 1301 W 11th St
Vancouver has one train station.
All train stations in Vancouver:
1301 W 11th St
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