Cheap train tickets from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$17.18 | Avg. Price$33.00 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration1h 15m | Duration1h 25m |
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara usually takes one hour and 29 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in one hour and 25 minutes.
Distance | 56 mi (90 km) |
Fastest train | 1h 25m |
Lowest price | $33.00 |
Trains per day | 1 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |

Price trends for trains from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 1 | 1h 29m | $33.00 |
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 Maria to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $33.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara
Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Sunday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Santa Maria at 4:00am and arrives in Santa Barbara about an hour later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Santa Barbara with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria.
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 Maria?
Main departure station: Santa Maria Bus Stop
There is one train station in Santa Maria.
All train stations in Santa Maria:
Santa Maria Bus Stop
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
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Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Maria?
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- Santa Maria to Santa Barbara