Bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara: Tickets & Timetables

Next departures

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 30 November
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Amtrak
Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
Train StationCheapest
FlixBus
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara (University of California), CAFastest
Amtrak
Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
Train StationNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 21:03 PST.

Compare 2 ways to travel 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 £19, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5bus per day
2h 25mAverage duration
77 milesDistance
3kgCO₂ emissions
Bus
Average price£19 - £42Average duration2h 25m
3kg CO₂e
Train
Average price£21 - £47Average duration2h 35m
12kg CO₂e

Frequently asked questions about travelling by bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

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

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

    The cheapest coach tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara start from £19. The average price for this route is around £28. 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 journey from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

    The average bus journey time from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is 2h 25m, covering a distance of 77 miles. The fastest bus can take you there in 1h 45m and is operated by FlixBus.

  3. 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.

  4. What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

    The earliest bus departs from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara at 03:45. And the latest bus departs at 19:25.

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

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

  6. Which 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.

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

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

  8. Which bus company offers the most punctual service 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.

  9. 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
27/11
£32
28/11
£21
Today
£20
30/11
£29
01/12
£31
02/12
£16
03/12
£14
04/12
£17
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 3 Dec 2025 with a price of £14

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 £14 to £46 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 £14, 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.

What's the cheapest way to go from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

busbud logoThe bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

People from around the world trust Busbud

‌