Based on 5614 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 R 893
Amtrak San Francisco Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
Based on 11472 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 Wi-Fi. FlixBus ticket prices on this trip start at R 810
Based on 12 reviews, Greyhound was rated 3 stars for this trip. Greyhound ticket prices on this trip start at R 696, with the trip lasting on average 776.
Greyhound San Francisco Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
Greyhound is an awful company with terrible customer service. Our bus was due to leave at 9pm but was delayed by “3 hours”. We were then taken from San Francisco to Oakland where we were told to wait for our driver - we kept receiving updates that she’d be there in “10 minutes” and then that she wasn’t coming at all and we were told to find our own way home - after we’d been taken from San Francisco to Oakland by Greyhound. Our did not arrive for another 3 hours. When we finally did leave we had a collision which caused our journey time to increase by 2 hours. The driver was also lost and was asking passengers for a charger to charge her phone so she could use her GPS to get us there which was highly unprofessional. I’m extremely upset and disappointed, our trip has been ruined as we only had one day in Santa Barbara. I will not be using Greyhound again and would never recommend to a friend. The customer service was terrible, hardly an apology for delaying us by 6 hours. This trip has been far more hassle and stress than is necessary and next time I would definitely fly or go with Amtrak.
Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara by bus
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest bus tickets from San Francisco to Santa Barbara start at R 810. The average price for this route is around R 1 213. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus journey from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
The average bus journey time from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is 6h 35m, covering a distance of 446 km. The fastest bus gets you there in 6h 20m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the San Francisco to Santa Barbara route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 1 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak, FlixBus, Greyhound.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
The earliest bus departs from San Francisco to Santa Barbara at 08:20. And the latest bus departs at 23:25.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
A bus trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara produces an estimated 11 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and Busbud’s recommended way to travel.
What is the best bus company from San Francisco 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 Francisco to Santa Barbara?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.
Which bus company offers the most punctual service from San Francisco 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 Francisco 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
R 842
28/11
No data
Today
R 842
30/11
R 6 245
01/12
R 842
02/12
R 842
03/12
No data
04/12
No data
The cheapest trip from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 27 Nov 2025 with a price of R 842
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from R 842 to R 6 683 for a bus ticket from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 842, which is on 2025-12-01.
The cheapest trip from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 27 Nov 2025 with a price of R 842
