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Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara bus

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Available on iOS & Android
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Santa Cruz - Santa Barbara Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There is one daily bus from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. Traveling by bus from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara usually takes around 8 hours and 8 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.

Distance220 mi (353 km)
Shortest duration8h 8m
Cheapest price$75.70
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

4.0

4.0

Savannah

October 13, 2023- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

Pros: I liked the fact that the driver was very understanding with everyone on the bus. Cons: Having the driver call out the stops loudly would be nice. Tips: Be safe and keep track of your own belongings!

What bus companies travel from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. FlixBus US is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US18h 8m$75.70
  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 1 trips per day from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 8 minutes to cover the 220 miles from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the bus is on any given day.

There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. It leaves the station in Santa Cruz at 1:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

There is usually only one bus per day from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara; ticket prices start at $66.00.

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 does the bus leave from in Santa Cruz?

Main departure station: Santa Cruz, California

Most buses depart from the main station in Santa Cruz.

All bus stations in Santa Cruz:

  • Santa Cruz, California

Where does the bus arrive in Santa Barbara?

Main arrival station: 209 State Street

All buses from Santa Cruz arrive at one main station in Santa Barbara.

All bus stations in Santa Barbara:

  • 209 State Street

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?

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