Cheap train tickets from Vancouver to Santa Barbara
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Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Vancouver to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from Vancouver to Santa Barbara usually takes 29 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Coast Starlight train can make the trip in 28 hours and 57 minutes.
| Distance | 791 mi (1272 km) |
| Fastest train | 28h 57m |
| Lowest price | $228.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
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Vancouver to Santa Barbara Train Schedule
There are several train options that can take you from Vancouver to Santa Barbara:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Vancouver to Santa Barbara?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Vancouver to Santa Barbara was $228.00. Considering the distance between Vancouver and Santa Barbara, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 3 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $54.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Vancouver to Santa Barbara by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Vancouver to Santa Barbara will cost between $142 and $234. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Vancouver to Santa Barbara by month
Ticket prices for the train from Vancouver to Santa Barbara 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 $181. If you're thinking of traveling from Vancouver to Santa Barbara during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $288 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 Vancouver to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 3 days ahead of time, you can save about $54.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Vancouver to Santa Barbara?
There are multiple trains that travel from Vancouver to Santa Barbara, 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 | 2 | 30h 18m | $250.68 |
| Amtrak Coast Starlight | 1 | 28h 57m | $250.27 |
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 Vancouver to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $194.
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 Vancouver to Santa Barbara
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Vancouver to Santa Barbara. 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 Santa Barbara to Vancouver.
TRIPS PER DAY
3
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Vancouver and Santa Barbara is approximately 791 miles, or 1272 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 29 hours and 53 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 28 hours and 57 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 Vancouver at 1:15pm while the last train of the day leaves at 1:15pm. 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
1:15pm
LATEST TRAIN
1:15pm
Trains from Vancouver to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Friday
City Information
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.
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 does the train leave from in Vancouver?
Main departure station: 1301 W 11th St
There is one train station in Vancouver.
All train stations in Vancouver:
- 1301 W 11th St
Where does the train arrive in Santa Barbara?
Main arrival station: 209 State Street
Santa Barbara has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
- 209 State Street
Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to Vancouver?
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