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Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Santa Barbara and Trinidad. The average train journey from Santa Barbara to Trinidad takes 30 hours and 17 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 28 hours and 44 minutes.
| Distance | 872 mi (1403 km) |
| Fastest train | 28h 44m |
| Lowest price | $298.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to Trinidad?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara to Trinidad. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 1d 6h 17m | $298.50 |
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 Barbara to Trinidad every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $298.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Santa Barbara and Trinidad is approximately 872 miles, or 1403 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 30 hours and 17 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 28 hours and 44 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Santa Barbara to Trinidad on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Santa Barbara at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 11:00am. 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 Barbara 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 Trinidad to Santa Barbara.
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.
Trinidad
Image credit: GPA Photo Archive
Link to image attributionTrinidad is a small, suburban town located near the New Mexico border. It can be found halfway between Denver and Santa Fe. The town is also along the Scenic Highway of Legends, which makes it a perfect pit stop on your trip.
While in Trinidad, you can visit museums like the Trinidad History Museum, A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art, Art Cartopia Museum, and Southern Colorado Coal Miners Memorial. It also has locations to enjoy arts, like the Corazon Gallery and Louden-Henritze Archaeology. Trinidad features historic architecture like the Bloom Mansion. Hike, run, or bike in the outdoor areas like the Trinidad Lake State Park, Fishers Peak State Park, and Kit Carson Round-Up Park.
Trinidad has different locations for enjoying beers and wines, with different breweries and brewpubs in and around the city. It also features a vibrant nightlife, including saloons, bars, social clubs, and restaurants for fine dining. Visit Historic Downtown Trinidad to enjoy the local stores, restaurants, bars, and clubs.
You can easily access Trinidad, Colorado, from many other cities when traveling by train, including Amtrak lines like the Amtrak Southwest Chief. Few neighboring cities offer buses to Trinidad, but Greyhound has a couple of lines going to the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
There is one train station in Santa Barbara.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Where is the train station in Trinidad?
Main arrival station: 110 West Pine St
Trinidad has one train station.
All train stations in Trinidad:
110 West Pine St
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Need a return trip from Trinidad to Santa Barbara?
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