5.0
Pros: I loved how quick it felt and how informed I always felt as to which stop we were at. Cons: Staff lacks the awareness to keep mask on. Tips: Mask on.
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Trip Summary
There are usually 5 daily train trips available from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara. Traveling by train from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara usually takes 4 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train can make the trip in 4 hours and 12 minutes.
| Distance | 133 mi (214 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 12m |
| Lowest price | $39.00 |
| Trains per day | 4 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Pacific Surfliner |
| Train lines | 2 |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
What is the price of a train ticket from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara?
The average price for a train ticket from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara is $39.00, Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. By booking your trip at least 11 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 $5.37 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Ticket prices for the train from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only $40. If you're thinking of traveling from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara during April, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $44 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in April, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 11 days before departure, you can save around $5.37. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara?
2 train services operate from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 4h 29m | $51.23 |
| Amtrak Pacific Surfliner | 4 | 4h 18m | $39.00 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $39.
The Pacific Surfliner is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs along the Pacific coast of Southern California, connecting San Luis Obispo to the north with San Diego to the south. The line is among the most famous Amtrak routes due to the unique scenic views it presents, as the train parallels the coastline for large portions of the 268-mile railroad stretch. The Pacific Surfliner offers first-class amenities like onboard restrooms, free WiFi, seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as storage racks for surfboards. On average, the service offers 4 train trips from San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara every day, and prices for a one-way train ticket start from $39.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between San Juan Capistrano and Santa Barbara is approximately 133 miles, or 214 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 12 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 San Juan Capistrano to Santa Barbara tend to have the most passengers on Friday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Friday. 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 Wednesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs San Juan Capistrano at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:00pm. 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 5 scheduled trains on most days. 4 of these are direct connections to Santa Barbara. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano.
City Information
San Juan Capistrano
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in Orange County, California, San Juan Capistrano is a small city founded by the Spanish in 1776. Although largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, this city is a growing destination south of Los Angeles and is often used as a backdrop in major Hollywood movies.
San Juan Capistrano has many historical religious sites to explore, and Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of its most renowned. The "Jewel of California Missions" includes a chapel with regular Mass, stunning gardens, and a museum to learn about the many Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences in the region. Visit in mid-March to experience the annual Return of the Swallows celebration. Local cliff swallows return from winters in Argentina, and the Mission plans parades, fairs, and other events to welcome them home.
The area around the Mission is a historic downtown with local restaurants, green spaces, and retail services. In the center of this historic core, San Juan Capistrano's Amtrak station welcomes Pacific Surfliner trains that run from Los Angeles to San Diego.
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 San Juan Capistrano?
Main departure station: 26701 Verdugo St
There is one train station in San Juan Capistrano.
All train stations in San Juan Capistrano:
26701 Verdugo St
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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