Find coaches from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US

Next departures

Next departures from Santa Barbara to San Diego on 31 October
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
Amtrak
UC Santa Barbara
Santa Fe DepotCheapest
Amtrak
UC Santa Barbara
Old Town San DiegoFastest
Amtrak
UC Santa Barbara
Santa Fe DepotNo tags
Amtrak
Train Station
Santa Fe DepotNo tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 11:29 AM PDT.

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Compare 2 ways to travel from Santa Barbara to San Diego

busbud logoWe recommend taking the train

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.

13train per day
6h 15mAverage duration
296 kmDistance
27kgCO₂ emissions
Bus
Average priceUS$31 - US$87Average duration7h 30m
8kg CO₂e
Train
Average priceUS$47 - US$124Average duration6h 15m
27kg CO₂e

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

Average ticket priceUS$52
Average bus trip duration7h 30m
Number of daily buses5
Earliest bus departure14:45
Distance312 km
Latest bus departure21:55

Santa Barbara to San Diego Bus

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

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

Discover how much the bus trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Frequently asked questions on the trip Santa Barbara - San Diego, CA, US

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

    The bus ticket price from Santa Barbara to San Diego starts at US$31. The best way to find cheap bus 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 bus ride from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

    The average travel time between Santa Barbara and San Diego is around 7h 30m, although the fastest bus will take about 6h 55m. This is the time it takes to travel the 303 km that separates the two cities.

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

    The number of buses from Santa Barbara to San Diego can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 5 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

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

    When taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak, FlixBus.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found
28/10
US$51
29/10
US$51
Today
US$51
31/10
US$51
01/11
US$51
02/11
US$51
03/11
US$30
04/11
US$26
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on 04 Nov 2025 with a price of US$26

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

You can expect to pay from US$26 to US$83 for a bus 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 US$26, which is on 2025-11-04.

Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while travelling from Santa Barbara to San Diego.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Santa Barbara to San Diego, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes. A bus going from Santa Barbara to San Diego will emit half the CO2 emitted by a train, and radically less than a car or an airplane.

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

Did you know?

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

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

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

Will you be returning to Santa Barbara by bus?

Bus from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara

You can also go to San Diego, CA, US by train

Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US

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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