Cheap train tickets from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara

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Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

2 trains operate daily from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. The train trip from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara is usually about 9 hours and 25 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 8 hours and 40 minutes.

	Distance	220 mi (353 km)
	Fastest train	8h 40m
	Lowest price	CZK 1,623.79
	Most frequent service	Amtrak
	Train lines	1

Price trends for trains from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara

Monthly avg. prices

Which train should you take from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	9h 26m	CZK 2,322.44

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 Cruz to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 1,624.

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

While the train is the main method of transportation from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

The distance between Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara is approximately 220 miles, or 353 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 25 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 40 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.

Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Santa Cruz at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Trains leave the station in Santa Cruz twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz.

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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?

Main departure station: Santa Cruz, California

There is one train station in Santa Cruz.

All train stations in Santa Cruz:

Santa Cruz, California

Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?

Main arrival station: 209 State Street

Santa Barbara has one train station.

All train stations in Santa Barbara:

209 State Street

Get around town with Moovit

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