Previously seen journeys

Next departures from Chicago to Santa Barbara on 5 November
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Amtrak
    Chicago (Union Station), IL
    Train StationNo tags
    Amtrak
      Chicago (Union Station), IL
      Train StationNo tags
      Amtrak
        Chicago (Union Station), IL
        Train StationNo tags
        Amtrak
          Chicago (Union Station), IL
          Train StationNo tags
          Amtrak
            Chicago (Union Station), IL
            Train StationNo tags

            Accepted payments

            • Visa
            • MasterCard
            • American Express
            • China Union Pay
            • Diners Club Canada
            • Discover Click to Pay
            • JCB payment
            • Klarna (Pay over time)
            • Google Pay

            Compare 2 ways to travel from Chicago 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 days, 13 hours 50 minutes and with fares starting at just R 4 107, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

            3bus per day
            2d 13hAverage duration
            2905 kmDistance
            73kgCO₂ emissions
            Average priceR 4 107 - R 7 916Average duration2d 13h
            73kg CO₂e
            Average priceR 3 825 - R 49 979Average duration2d 1h
            264kg CO₂e

            Train Chicago to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

            Please note, this information is subject to change.

            Average ticket priceR 6 218
            Average train trip duration2d 1h
            Number of daily trains4
            Earliest train departure13:52
            Distance2904 km
            Latest train departure15:05

            Chicago to Santa Barbara Train

            Busbud helps you find a train from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find trains with WiFi and electrical outlets.

            We make sure you can find a train service from Chicago to Santa Barbara from the most reliable train companies operating this trip.

            Discover how much the train trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest train tickets or high-end trains.

            Frequently asked questions on the trip Chicago - Santa Barbara

            1. How much does a cheap train ticket from Chicago to Santa Barbara cost?

              The average train ticket price from Chicago to Santa Barbara is R 6 218. The best way to find cheap train tickets from Chicago 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 train trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

              A train trip between Chicago and Santa Barbara is around 2d 1h, although the fastest train will take about 1d 23h. This is the time it takes to travel the 2907 km that separates the two cities.

            3. How many daily train are there between Chicago and Santa Barbara?

              The number of trains from Chicago to Santa Barbara can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 4. Some trains are direct while others include transferring trains. Simplify your train trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

            4. Which train companies travel from Chicago to Santa Barbara?

              When taking the train from Chicago to Santa Barbara, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak.

            Find cheapest prices for trains

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

            Best price found
            03/11
            R 5 987
            04/11
            R 5 109
            Today
            No data
            06/11
            No data
            07/11
            R 4 589
            08/11
            No data
            09/11
            No data
            10/11
            No data
            busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Chicago to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 07 Nov 2025 with a price of R 4 589

            To 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 R 4 589 to R 47 909 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 R 4 589, which is on 2025-11-07.

            About Train Travel

            Train Travel Tips

            There are many train stations in the world, explore station pages on Busbud to get all information you need.

            Regional train? High-speed train? Whichever train to Santa Barbara you take, you’ll help reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of your trip. As you watch the landscapes unfold before your eyes, you can tell yourself that with this choice, you are making sure they remain protected.

            With up to 30x less CO2 emissions for your train journey between Chicago and Santa Barbara, the train is an ecological alternative to flights or personal cars.

            Create your own real-life musical score by curating a personalised train travel playlist – the perfect accompaniment for your journey from Chicago to Santa Barbara.

            Did you know?

            Japanese trains are always on time. It is extremely infrequent to see breakdowns during peak periods. In the event of a delay of more than 5 minutes, the crew will personally apologise to each passenger.

            The longest train journey in the world is between Europe and Asia. This long journey starts from Porto in Portugal and crosses the whole European continent to reach Hanoi in Vietnam in 12 days while travelling more than 17,000 km.

            New York holds the record for the most platforms and track numbers in a single station. Grand Central Station in Manhattan is one of the largest rail terminals in the world with more than 44 platforms and 67 tracks to accommodate passengers.

            Will you be returning to Chicago by train?

            Train from Santa Barbara to Chicago

            Why choose Busbud?

            The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

            Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. 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.

            People from around the world trust Busbud

            Popular Trains Connecting Chicago

            Trains Leaving from Chicago

            Popular Trains Connecting Santa Barbara

            Trains Going to Santa Barbara