Find coaches from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Next departures

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 4 November
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
FlixBus
    San Luis Obispo
    Santa Barbara StationCheapestFastest
    Amtrak
      AMTRAK Station
      UC Santa BarbaraNo tags
      Amtrak
        Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
        Train StationNo tags
        Amtrak
          Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
          Train StationNo tags
          Amtrak
            Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
            Train StationNo tags

            Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 2:49 AM PST.

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            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 US$23, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

            5bus per day
            2h 25mAverage duration
            131 kmDistance
            3kgCO₂ emissions
            Average priceUS$23 - US$43Average duration2h 25m
            3kg CO₂e
            Average priceUS$28 - US$61Average duration2h 35m
            12kg CO₂e

            Bus San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

            Average ticket priceUS$36
            Average bus trip duration2h 25m
            Number of daily buses5
            Earliest bus departure03:45
            Distance130 km
            Latest bus departure19:25

            San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Bus

            With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

            Bus service from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

            Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Santa Barbara from San Luis Obispo, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

            Frequently asked questions on the trip San Luis Obispo - Santa Barbara

            1. How much does a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara cost?

              The bus ticket price from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara starts at US$23. The best way to find cheap bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

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

              The average travel time between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is around 2h 25m, although the fastest bus will take about 1h 45m. This is the time it takes to travel the 124 km that separates the two cities.

            3. How many daily bus connections are there between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara?

              The number of buses from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 5 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

            4. Which bus companies travel from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

              When taking the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak, FlixBus.

            5. What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

              Buses travelling between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara leave from AMTRAK Station or San Luis Obispo Bus Stop and arrive at Train Station.

            Find cheapest prices for buses

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

            Best price found
            01/11
            US$33
            02/11
            US$41
            Today
            US$33
            04/11
            US$26
            05/11
            US$18
            06/11
            US$31
            07/11
            US$20
            08/11
            US$23
            busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 05 Nov 2025 with a price of US$18

            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 US$18 to US$59 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 US$18, which is on 2025-11-05.

            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.

            About Bus Travel

            Bus Travel Tips

            Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while travelling from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

            Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

            Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.

            Make a music playlist for your bus ride from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

            Did you know?

            The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.

            9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

            The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

            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

            Will you be returning to San Luis Obispo by bus?

            Bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo

            You can also go to Santa Barbara by train

            Train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

            Why choose Busbud?

            The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

            Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worlwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

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            Popular Buses Connecting San Luis Obispo

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