Next train departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Train | Chicago (Union Station), IL | Train Station | Cheapest | ||||
| Train | Chicago (Union Station), IL | Train Station | Fastest | ||||
| Train | Chicago (Union Station), IL | Train Station | No tags | ||||
| Train | Chicago (Union Station), IL | Train Station | No tags | ||||
| Train | Chicago (Union Station), IL | Train Station | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 09:06 CST.
Compare 2 ways to travel from Chicago to Santa Barbara
Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 2 days, 7 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just £174, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular train stations and stops in Chicago and Santa Barbara?
Chicago
- A
Union Station
225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Santa Barbara
- A224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- B
Greyhound Station
224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA
Train Companies
Based on 5650 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the Wi-Fi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at £194
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Chicago to Santa Barbara by train
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your journey.
How much does a train ticket cost from Chicago to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest train tickets from Chicago to Santa Barbara start from £194. The average price for this train route is around £813. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from Chicago to Santa Barbara?
The average train journey time from Chicago to Santa Barbara is 2d 1h, covering a distance of 1801 miles. The fastest train gets you there in 1d 23h and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Chicago to Santa Barbara route?
Several major train operators run on this route with 4 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Chicago to Santa Barbara?
The earliest train from Chicago to Santa Barbara departs at 13:52. And the latest train departs at 15:05.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 16 Dec 2025 with a price of £322To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Chicago to Santa Barbara as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from £322 to £1,367 for a train ticket from Chicago to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at £322, which is on 2025-12-16.
