How much is the bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The cheapest bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara start from $35. The average price for this route is around $51. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

How long is the bus ride from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The average bus travel time from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is 2h 25m, covering a distance of 123 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 45m and is operated by FlixBus .

Which bus companies service the San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara route?

Several major bus companies operate on this route with 5 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak , FlixBus .

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The earliest bus departs from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara at 3:45am. And the latest bus departs at 7:25pm.

What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

A bus trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara generates an estimated 3 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.

What is the best bus company from San Luis Obispo 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.

Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

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

Which bus company has the best on-time performance from San Luis Obispo 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.

Which bus company has the cleanest buses from San Luis Obispo 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.

Bus San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara from $24 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on November 28
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:30pm	San Luis Obispo	2h 10m	6:40pm	Santa Barbara (University of California), CA	CheapestFastest
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on November 29
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:30pm	San Luis Obispo	2h 10m	6:40pm	Santa Barbara (University of California), CA	CheapestFastest
7:00pm	AMTRAK Station	2h 15m	9:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:50pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	2h 40m	9:30pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on November 30
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
2:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	4h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	Cheapest
4:30pm	San Luis Obispo	2h 10m	6:40pm	Santa Barbara (University of California), CA	Fastest
2:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	4h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on December 1
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	Cheapest
12:55pm	San Luis Obispo	1h 45m	2:40pm	Santa Barbara Station	Fastest
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on December 2
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
12:55pm	San Luis Obispo	1h 45m	2:40pm	Santa Barbara Station	CheapestFastest
7:25pm	AMTRAK Station	2h 15m	9:40pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
7:15pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	2h 40m	9:55pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on December 3
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
12:55pm	San Luis Obispo	1h 45m	2:40pm	Santa Barbara Station	CheapestFastest
7:25pm	AMTRAK Station	2h 15m	9:40pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
7:15pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	2h 40m	9:55pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on December 4
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
12:55pm	San Luis Obispo	1h 45m	2:40pm	Santa Barbara Station	CheapestFastest
7:25pm	AMTRAK Station	2h 15m	9:40pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
7:15pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	2h 40m	9:55pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags
3:40pm	Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex	3h 14m	6:54pm	Train Station	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 9:48 PM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 2 hours 25 minutes, and with fares starting at just $35, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5bus per day

2h 25mAverage Duration

123 kmDistance

3kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average Price$35 - $77	Average Duration2h 25m	CO₂ emissions 3kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$39 - $87	Average Duration2h 35m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e

Where are the popular stops in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara?

Stops in San Luis Obispo

A
AMTRAK Station
1730 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Visit page
B
San Luis Obispo Bus Stop
1460 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, USA

Stops in Santa Barbara

A
Train Station
224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Visit page

Compare bus companies

Amtrak

4/55,610 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

FlixBus

3.5/511,465 reviews

Staff4.2

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

Based on 11465 reviews, the company was rated 3.5 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the ticket access and the staff but often complained with the WiFi. FlixBus ticket prices on this trip start at $35

FlixBus San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

Nice, clean bus. Came on time. Quiet, smooth ride. Only issue was the lack of signage for the bus stop in San Luis Obispo. We were all confused.

Rebecca K.

April 18, 2023

US Bus Companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Sindbad

Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Luis Obispo 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.

How much is the bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara start from $35. The average price for this route is around $51. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The average bus travel time from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is 2h 25m, covering a distance of 123 km. The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 45m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 5 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak, FlixBus.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The earliest bus departs from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara at 3:45am. And the latest bus departs at 7:25pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
A bus trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara generates an estimated 3 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and a mode of travel recommended by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from San Luis Obispo 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.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
Based on Busbud reviews, the bus company Amtrak has the highest Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.
Which bus company has the best on-time performance from San Luis Obispo 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.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from San Luis Obispo 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

11-26

$38

11-27

$59

Today

$38

11-29

$36

11-30

$59

12-01

$59

12-02

$29

12-03

$26

The cheapest trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Dec 3, 2025 with a price of $26

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

You can expect to pay from $26 to $85 for a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $26 which is on 2025-12-03.

Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.