How much does a train ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara cost?

The average train ticket price from San Diego to Santa Barbara is $47. The best way to find train tickets from San Diego 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!

How long is the train trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

A train trip between San Diego and Santa Barbara is around 5h 49m, although the fastest train will take about 5h 39m. This is the time it takes to travel the 188 miles that separates the two cities.

How many daily trains are there between San Diego and Santa Barbara?

The number of trains from San Diego to Santa Barbara can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 11. Some trains are direct while others have layovers. Simplify your train trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Which train companies travel from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

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

Train San Diego to Santa Barbara from $44 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 18
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
1:10pm	Old Town San Diego	5h 48m	6:58pm	Train Station	CheapestFastest
4:01pm	Santa Fe Depot	6h 19m	10:20pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
4:01pm	Santa Fe Depot	6h 19m	10:20pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
4:10pm	Old Town San Diego	6h 10m	10:20pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
4:10pm	Old Town San Diego	6h 10m	10:20pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 19
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 45m	9:55am	Train Station	Cheapest
8:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 39m	1:49pm	Train Station	Fastest
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
8:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 14m	2:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 20
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 45m	9:55am	Train Station	Cheapest
8:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 39m	1:49pm	Train Station	Fastest
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
8:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 14m	2:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 21
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 45m	9:55am	Train Station	Cheapest
8:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 39m	1:49pm	Train Station	Fastest
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
8:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 14m	2:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 22
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 45m	9:55am	Train Station	Cheapest
8:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 39m	1:49pm	Train Station	Fastest
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
8:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 14m	2:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 23
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 45m	9:55am	Train Station	Cheapest
8:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 39m	1:49pm	Train Station	Fastest
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
8:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 14m	2:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 24
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 45m	9:55am	Train Station	Cheapest
8:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 39m	1:49pm	Train Station	Fastest
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
8:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 14m	2:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Next departures for San Diego to Santa Barbara on November 25
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
4:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 45m	9:55am	Train Station	Cheapest
8:10am	Old Town San Diego	5h 39m	1:49pm	Train Station	Fastest
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
6:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 9m	12:10pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
8:01am	Santa Fe Depot	6h 14m	2:15pm	UC Santa Barbara	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Last Saturday at 8:35 PM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from San Diego to Santa Barbara

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 5 hours 49 minutes and with fares starting at just $47, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11train per day

5h 49mAverage Duration

187 milesDistance

27kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average Price$33 - $78	Average Duration10h 10m	CO₂ emissions 7kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$47 - $93	Average Duration5h 49m	CO₂ emissions 27kg CO₂e

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55,593 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Based on 5593 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $47

Amtrak San Diego Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

Averting perfect

Rossella A.

April 4, 2023

Train and bus companies in US:Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak Acela, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Iryo

Frequently asked questions about traveling from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara by train

How much does a train ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara cost?
How long is the train trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
How many daily trains are there between San Diego and Santa Barbara?
Which train companies travel from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

11/16

$44

11/17

$44

Today

$44

11/19

$44

11/20

$44

11/21

$44

11/22

$44

11/23

$44

The cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Nov 16, 2025 with a price of $44

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $44 to $265 for a train ticket from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $44 which is on 2025-11-19.

What's the cheapest way to go from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara?

The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time10h 10m	Avg Price$54	Daily Departures3
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time5h 49m	Avg Price$47	Daily Departures11

The best way to travel between San Diego, CA, US and Santa Barbara is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost $47 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from $47. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Santa Barbara, choose the train, as it will take you from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara in about 5h 49m - that's the fastest way to get there!