Trains tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego (CA), US

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TomorrowMay 21
ThuMay 22
FriMay 23
SatMay 24
from US$63
SunMay 25
MonMay 26
from US$66
TueMay 27
WedMay 28

Next departures to San Diego

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Cheapest
    Departure time: May 24 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: May 24 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Old Town San Diego
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Fastest
    Departure time: May 24 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: May 24 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Old Town San Diego
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: May 24 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: May 25 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: May 24 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: May 25 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: May 24 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: May 24 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 8:12 AM PDT.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Accepted payments

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Compare 2 ways to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Average PriceUS$36 - US$104Average Duration7h 30m
8kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Average PriceUS$44 - US$74Average Duration11h 6m
27kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 7 hours 30 minutes, and with fares starting at just US$36, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4bus per day
7h 30mAverage Duration
US$36Cheapest ticket
8kgCO₂ emissions

Train Santa Barbara to San Diego: Trip Overview

Please note, this information is subject to change

Average Ticket PriceUS$60
Average train trip duration11h 6m
Number of daily trains1
Earliest train departure4:40pm
Distance300 km
Latest train departure6:19pm

Santa Barbara to San Diego Train

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

Train service from Santa Barbara to San Diego will be provided by the most trusted companies.

Discover how much the train trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego 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 Santa Barbara - San Diego

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

    The average train ticket price from Santa Barbara to San Diego is US$60. The best way to find cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego 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 trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    A train trip between Santa Barbara and San Diego is around 11h 6m, although the fastest train will take about 6h 34m. This is the time it takes to travel the 303 km that separates the two cities.

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

    The number of trains from Santa Barbara to San Diego can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there is 1. Some trains are direct while others have layovers. Simplify your train trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found
05-18
US$67
05-19
No data
Today
US$56
05-21
US$56
05-22
No data
05-23
No data
05-24
US$59
05-25
No data
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego was searched and found on May 20, 2025 with a price of US$56

To 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, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from US$56 to US$226 for a train ticket from Santa Barbara to San Diego based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$56 which is on 2025-05-21.

About Train Travel

Train Travel Tips

Taking the fastest trains allows you to travel at speeds greater than 300 km/h. Taking a trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego is not only much quicker but more comfortable too! You can usually travel directly to the city centre and save time while you're at it.

No matter if you plan to take a regional or high-speed train to San Diego, the planet will thank you. You’ll help to protect the beautiful landscapes that will unfold before your very eyes.

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

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

Did you know?

One of the deepest train stations in the world is in Kiev. Located at a depth of 105 m, it was designed in this way to serve as a shelter in the event of an attack. The second deepest station is in China. Badaling station is located 60 m under the Great Wall of China!

You can find dogs as passengers on the trains of Moscow, where there is a large number of stray dogs. Over time, the dogs have learned the inner workings of the rail system and it is not uncommon to find one travelling between the city and the suburbs.

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 apologize to each passenger.

Will you be returning to Santa Barbara by train?

Train from San Diego 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 several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travellers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

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