Next departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | Cheapest | |||||
| Train Station | Old Town San Diego | Fastest | |||||
| Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | No tags | |||||
| Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | No tags | |||||
| Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Today at 7:00 PM PST.
Compare 2 ways to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego
Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 6 hours 15 minutes, and with fares starting at just $67, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Train companies
Based on 5644 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 WiFi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $62
Amtrak Santa Barbara San Diego recent customer reviews
It was hard to understand the announcements.
Giovanni D.
Frequently asked questions about travelling from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US by train
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the train ticket from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The cheapest train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego start at $67. The average price for this train route is around $67. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance to increase your chances of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the train ride from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The average train trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego takes 6h 15m and covers 301 km. The quickest train gets you there in 5h 53m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the Santa Barbara to San Diego route?
Several major train operators serve this route, with 13 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The earliest train from Santa Barbara to San Diego departs at 6:53am. The latest train departs at 6:57pm.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on Dec 11, 2025 with a price of $63To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $63 to $502 for a train ticket from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $63 which is on 2025-12-14.
What's the cheapest way to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US?
The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destinationThe best way to travel between Santa Barbara and San Diego, CA, US is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost $67 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from $67. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to San Diego, CA, US, choose the train, as it will take you from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US in about 6h 15m —that's the fastest way to get there!
Top Travelled Train Routes
People from around the world trust Busbud
Popular train departures from Santa Barbara
- Find train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano
- Santa Barbara to Lompoc train times and fares
- How to travel from Santa Barbara to Ventura
- Find train tickets from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles
- Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo train times and fares
- How to travel from Santa Barbara to Salinas
- Find train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Jose