Bus from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara: Tickets & Schedules

Next bus departures

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 28
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Bus
Greyhound Bus Stop
Santa Barbara (University of California), CACheapestFastest

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 6:07 PM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from San Diego to Santa Barbara

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 5 hours 49 minutes, and with fares starting at just $68, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11train per day
5h 49mAverage Duration
301 kmDistance
27kgCO₂ emissions
Bus
Average Price$51 - $98Average Duration10h 10m
8kg CO₂e
Train
Average Price$68 - $133Average Duration5h 49m
27kg CO₂e

Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

  1. How much is the bus ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    The cheapest bus tickets from San Diego to Santa Barbara start from $51. The average price for this route is around $78. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

  2. How long is the bus ride from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    The average bus travel time from San Diego to Santa Barbara is 10h 10m, covering a distance of 312 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 4h 15m and is operated by FlixBus.

  3. Which bus companies service the San Diego to Santa Barbara route?

    Several major bus companies operate on this route with 3 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak, FlixBus, Greyhound.

  4. What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    The earliest bus departs from San Diego to Santa Barbara at 6:45am. And the latest bus departs at 9:25pm.

  5. What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    A bus trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara generates an estimated 8 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

  6. What is the best bus company from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5597 reviews.

  7. Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Amtrak has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.

  8. Which bus company has the best on-time performance from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.

  9. Which bus company has the cleanest buses from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak, with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
11-25
$78
11-26
$54
Today
No data
11-28
$78
11-29
$82
11-30
$78
12-01
$74
12-02
$74
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Nov 26, 2025 with a price of $54

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $54 to $82 for a bus ticket from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $74 which is on 2025-12-01.

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