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

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Today13 Jul
from US$47
Tomorrow14 Jul
from US$47
Tue15 Jul
from US$47
Wed16 Jul
from US$47
Thu17 Jul
from US$47
Fri18 Jul
from US$47
Sat19 Jul
from US$47
Sun20 Jul
from US$47

Trains leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Cheapest
    Departure time: 14 July at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: 14 July at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: TrainDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Fastest
    Departure time: 14 July at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: 15 July at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Old Town San Diego
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: TrainDuration:
  • Departure time: 14 July at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: 14 July at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: TrainDuration:
  • Departure time: 14 July at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: 14 July at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: TrainDuration:
  • Departure time: 14 July at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: 14 July at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: TrainDuration:

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Compare 2 ways to travel from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Average priceUS$31 - US$91Average duration7h 30m
7kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
CheapestMost eco-friendly
Average priceUS$47 - US$93Average duration6h 15m
27kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
Fastest
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the train 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 US$47, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5train per day
6h 15mAverage duration
US$47Cheapest ticket
27kgCO₂ emissions

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

Please note, this information is subject to change.

Average ticket priceUS$47
Average train trip duration6h 15m
Number of daily trains5
Earliest train departure16:33
Distance184 miles
Latest train departure18:57

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 services 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, CA, US

  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$47. 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 train trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    A train trip between Santa Barbara and San Diego is around 6h 15m, although the fastest train will take about 5h 53m. This is the time it takes to travel the 188 miles that separates the two cities.

  3. How many daily train 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 are 5. Some trains are direct while others include transferring trains. 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.

  4. Which train companies travel from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    When taking the train from Santa Barbara to San Diego, 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
11/07
US$44
12/07
US$44
Today
US$44
14/07
US$44
15/07
US$44
16/07
US$44
17/07
US$44
18/07
US$44
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego was searched and found on 11 Jul 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 train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from US$44 to US$323 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$44, which is on 2025-07-14.

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 105m, 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 60m 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 apologise to each passenger.

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

busbud logoThe train is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

The 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 US$47 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from US$47. 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!

Will you be returning to Santa Barbara by train?

Train from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara

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