Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to Vancouver

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Trip Summary

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Santa Barbara to Vancouver. Traveling by train from Santa Barbara to Vancouver usually takes 1 day, 5 hours, and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 1 day, 3 hours, and 58 minutes.

Distance: 791 mi (1272 km)
Fastest train: 27h 58m
Lowest price: RON 680.49
Trains per day: 4
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Santa Barbara to Vancouver Train Schedule

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

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

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

In the last month, train tickets from Santa Barbara to Vancouver cost about RON 779 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 426.03 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Santa Barbara to Vancouver will cost between RON 661 and RON 1,088. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to Vancouver by month

Ticket prices for the train from Santa Barbara to Vancouver often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only RON 781. If you're thinking of traveling from Santa Barbara to Vancouver during February, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 1,155 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in February, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Santa Barbara to Vancouver on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 426.03 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

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 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	29h 50m	RON 941.76
Amtrak Coast Starlight	1	28h 2m	RON 825.63

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 3 Amtrak trains from Santa Barbara to Vancouver every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from RON 690.08.
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 Vancouver

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Santa Barbara to Vancouver. 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 4 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.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Santa Barbara and Vancouver is approximately 791 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 5 hours, and 27 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 3 hours, and 58 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)

791

Distance (km)

1272

The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 10:05 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 12:15 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

10:05am

Last train

12:15pm

Trains from Santa Barbara to Vancouver are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Wednesday

Least crowded

Monday

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

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

Need a return trip from Vancouver to Santa Barbara?

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