Next departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Santa Fe Depot | Train Station | Cheapest | |||||
| Santa Fe Depot | Train Station | Fastest | |||||
| Santa Fe Depot | UC Santa Barbara | No tags | |||||
| Santa Fe Depot | UC Santa Barbara | No tags | |||||
| Santa Fe Depot | Train Station | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Last Sunday at 4:23 PM PST.
Compare 2 ways to travel from San Diego to Santa Barbara
Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 5 hours 49 minutes and with fares starting at just R 812, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Where are the popular stops in San Diego and Santa Barbara?
Stops in San Diego
- A
Mission Valley Sheraton
1433 Camino del Rio S, San Diego, CA 92108, USA - B
Old Town Courtyard Marriot
2435 Jefferson St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA - C
Downtown Holiday Inn
1617 1st Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA - D
Greyhound Station
1313 National Ave, San Diego, CA 92101, USA - E
Market St. & Park Blvd
601 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101, USA - F
San Ysidro McDonald's
727 E San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173, USA
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Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara by bus
Please note that timetables, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or differ at the time of your trip.
How much is the bus ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest bus tickets from San Diego to Santa Barbara start at R 610. The average price for this route is around R 937. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for the best chance of getting the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus journey from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
The average bus journey time from San Diego to Santa Barbara is 10h 10m, covering a distance of 312 km. The fastest bus gets you there in 4h 15m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the San Diego to Santa Barbara route?
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
The earliest bus departs from San Diego to Santa Barbara at 06:45. And the latest bus departs at 21:25.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
A bus trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara produces an estimated 8 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and Busbud’s recommended way to travel.
What is the best bus company from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5627 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.
Which bus company offers the most punctual service from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most punctual bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak, with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 08 Dec 2025 with a price of R 764To 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 R 764 to R 1 458 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 R 764, which is on 2025-12-08.
