Bus Tickets from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara

TodayJul 31
from US$54
TomorrowAug 1
from US$54
SatAug 2
from US$44
SunAug 3
from US$54
MonAug 4
from US$47
TueAug 5
from US$47
WedAug 6
from US$54
ThuAug 7
from US$40

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Cheapest
    Departure time: August 1 at
    Departure city: San Diego
    Departure location: Santa Fe Depot
    Arrival time: August 2 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: UC Santa Barbara
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Fastest
    Departure time: August 1 at
    Departure city: San Diego
    Departure location: Greyhound Bus Stop
    Arrival time: August 1 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Santa Barbara Station
    Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
    Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 1 at
    Departure city: San Diego
    Departure location: Greyhound Bus Stop
    Arrival time: August 1 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Santa Barbara Station
    Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
    Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 1 at
    Departure city: San Diego
    Departure location: Santa Fe Depot
    Arrival time: August 2 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 2:33 AM PDT.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

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 go from San Diego to Santa Barbara

Bus
Average PriceUS$27 - US$64Average Duration6h 20m
7kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train
Average PriceUS$47 - US$47Average Duration5h 49m
27kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
Fastest
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 6 hours 20 minutes, and with fares starting at just US$27, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1bus per day
6h 20mAverage Duration
US$27Cheapest ticket
7kgCO₂ emissions

Bus San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

Average Ticket PriceUS$37
Average Bus Trip Duration6h 20m
Number of daily buses1
Earliest bus departure6:25am
Distance285 km
Latest bus departure9:25pm

San Diego to Santa Barbara Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara.

Bus service from San Diego 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 Diego, 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 Diego, CA, US - Santa Barbara

  1. How far is San Diego from Santa Barbara?

    The distance between San Diego and Santa Barbara is around 303 km (188 miles).

  2. What are the departure and arrival locations for buses traveling from San Diego to Santa Barbara?

    Buses traveling this route start their trip at Mission Valley Sheraton, in San Diego, and end it at Train Station, in Santa Barbara.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found
07-29
US$51
07-30
US$51
Today
US$51
08-01
US$51
08-02
US$51
08-03
US$51
08-04
US$44
08-05
US$44
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Aug 4, 2025 with a price of US$44

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

You can expect to pay from US$44 to US$84 for a bus 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 US$44 which is on 2025-08-04.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from San Diego 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 Diego to Santa Barbara.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

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

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

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

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

busbud logoThe bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Will you be returning to San Diego, CA, US by bus?

Bus from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara

You can also go to Santa Barbara by train

Train from San Diego, CA, US 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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