Find cheap bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

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TodayApr 25
TomorrowApr 26
from $19
SatApr 27
SunApr 28
from $19
MonApr 29
TueApr 30
WedMay 1
ThuMay 2

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
    Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Luis Obispo
    Departure location: San Luis Obispo
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Santa Barbara Station
    Operated by: FlixBusFlixBus
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
    $19
  • This trip is recommended because it is: 2nd Cheapest
    Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Luis Obispo
    Departure location: AMTRAK Station
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: UC Santa Barbara
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
    $33
  • Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Luis Obispo
    Departure location: Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
    $33
  • Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Luis Obispo
    Departure location: Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
    $41
  • Departure time: April 26 at
    Departure city: San Luis Obispo
    Departure location: Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
    Arrival time: April 26 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
    $59
Bus San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

Bus San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$36
Average bus trip duration2h 30m
Number of daily buses6
Earliest bus departure3:30 PM
Distance77 miles (123 km)
Latest bus departure7:25 PM

San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Buses

Information on this bus route

Daily Departures6
Earliest and Latest Bus Departures3:30PM - 7:25PM
Minimum Price$27
Average Ticket Price$36
Minimum Trip Duration2h10m
Average Bus Trip Duration2h30m
Distance77 miles (123 km)
Bus Companies on This RouteFlixBus
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for your trip San Luis Obispo - Santa Barbara

You can take a bus or a train to go from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. The two options are practical and eco-friendly ways to reach Santa Barbara. You can also use carpool services and share a car ride with other travelers.

On average, the trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara takes around 2h 30m, but the fastest bus can get you there in about 2h 10m. This is the time it takes to travel the 77 miles (124 km) that separate the two cities.

The distance separating San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is 77 miles (124 km).

About 6 buses travel this route daily, provided by FlixBus. Depending on the day of the week, the number of buses available from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara may vary. Want to make your bus journey from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara as effortless as possible? Busbud has got you covered! Browse schedules, pick the perfect bus for your travel style and budget - all in one place.

The bus service operates between 3:30 PM and 7:25 PM.

The majority of buses traveling from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara start their journey at AMTRAK Station and wind up at Train Station. These are the most popular departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

Go for the bus if you want the most cost-effective way to travel this route. The lowest tickets for this trip cost as little as $27.

You can expect to pay around $36 for a bus ticket. In the past 30 days, prices have fluctuated between $27 and $44, so it's best to compare them to make sure you get the best deal.

Yes, a day trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is definitely doable. The round-trip travel time is around 4h 20m. So you'll have plenty of time to discover Santa Barbara before making your way back to San Luis Obispo.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.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 San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

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

What's the cheapest way to go from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
Vehicle TypeTravel TimeAvg PriceDaily Departures
Vehicle TypeBusTravel Time2h 30mAvg Price$36Daily Departures6
Vehicle TypeTrainTravel Time2h 35mAvg Price$37Daily Departures3

The best way to travel between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara is by bus. By choosing the bus, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost $36 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from $27. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Santa Barbara, choose the bus, as it will take you from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara in about 2h 30m - that's the fastest way to get there!

Will you be returning to San Luis Obispo by bus?

Bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo

You can also go to Santa Barbara by train

Train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

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