How much is the train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The cheapest train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara start from R 469. The average price for this train route is around R 630. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.

How long is the train journey from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The average train journey time from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is 2h 35m, covering a distance of 131 km. The quickest train can get you there in 2h 34m and is operated by Amtrak .

Which train operators serve the San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara route?

Several major train operators run on this route, with 3 trains available per day.

What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The earliest train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara departs at 06:11. And the latest train departs at 16:20.

Train San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara from R 554 | Refundable Tickets

Next train departures

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 12 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	Cheapest
Train	16:20	AMTRAK Station	2h 34m	18:54	Train Station	Fastest
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 13 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	Cheapest
Train	16:20	AMTRAK Station	2h 34m	18:54	Train Station	Fastest
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 14 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	Cheapest
Train	16:20	AMTRAK Station	2h 34m	18:54	Train Station	Fastest
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 15 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	Cheapest
Train	16:20	AMTRAK Station	2h 34m	18:54	Train Station	Fastest
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 16 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	Cheapest
Train	16:20	AMTRAK Station	2h 34m	18:54	Train Station	Fastest
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 17 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	Cheapest
Train	16:20	AMTRAK Station	2h 34m	18:54	Train Station	Fastest
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 18 December
Vehicle type	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	Cheapest
Train	16:20	AMTRAK Station	2h 34m	18:54	Train Station	Fastest
Train	06:11	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	08:46	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags
Train	15:37	AMTRAK Station	2h 35m	18:12	Train Station	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 5:01 PM PST.

Compare 2 ways to travel from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

We recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 2 hours 25 minutes and with fares starting at just R 358, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5bus per day

2h 25mAverage duration

121 kmDistance

3kgCO₂ emissions

	Average price	Average duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average priceR 358 - R 1 058	Average duration2h 25m	CO₂ emissions 3kg CO₂e
Train	Average priceR 469 - R 1 042	Average duration2h 35m	CO₂ emissions 12kg CO₂e

Where are the popular train stations and stops in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara?

San Luis Obispo

A
AMTRAK Station
1730 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Visit page

Santa Barbara

A
Train Station
224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Visit page
B
Greyhound Station
224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA

Train Companies

Amtrak

4/55 637 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

WiFi3.6

Based on 5637 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 Wi-Fi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at R 469

Amtrak San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

Easy journey

Erin M.

10 July 2023

US train companies: Amtrak, Trenitalia, Renfe, VIA Rail Canada, Amtrak Acela, NS Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Iryo

Frequently asked questions about travelling from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara by train

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 train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest train tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara start from R 469. The average price for this train route is around R 630. Busbud recommends booking your tickets in advance for a better chance to secure the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The average train journey time from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is 2h 35m, covering a distance of 131 km. The quickest train can get you there in 2h 34m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators serve the San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara route?
Several major train operators run on this route, with 3 trains available per day.
What are the earliest and latest departure times for the train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The earliest train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara departs at 06:11. And the latest train departs at 16:20.

Find cheapest prices for trains

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

Best price found

09/12

R 433

10/12

R 588

Today

R 588

12/12

R 588

13/12

R 588

14/12

R 588

15/12

R 588

16/12

R 588

The cheapest trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 09 Dec 2025 with a price of R 433

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

You can expect to pay from R 433 to R 2 422 for a train ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at R 588, which is on 2025-12-12.