How can I travel from Santa Barbara to San Diego without a car?

You can travel between these two cities by bus or train. Both are practical and eco-friendly ways to travel to San Diego. You can also use carpool services and share a car ride with other travelers.

How long does it take to get to San Diego from Santa Barbara by bus?

The average travel time from Santa Barbara to San Diego is about 7h 45m, but the fastest bus can get you there in about 4h 40m. This is the time it takes to travel the 188 miles (303 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the travel distance from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

The distance between the two cities is 188 miles (303 km).

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

The majority of buses traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego start their journey at Train Station and wind up at Mission Valley Sheraton. These are the primary departure and arrival locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.

What is the most affordable way to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

You can save a lot of money on your trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego by choosing to travel by bus. With prices starting at $36, you won't find a more affordable way to get there.

How much are the bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

The average bus ticket price from Santa Barbara to San Diego is $54. In the last 30 days, the prices ranged from $36 to $104, so it's good to do your research before booking.

What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

Once in San Diego, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are The Gaslamp Quarter, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Botanical Building and Lily Pond, San Diego Bay Waterfront and Old Town.

Bus Santa Barbara to San Diego (CA), US from $39 | Compare & Save up to 54%

MonJun 16

from $54

TueJun 17

from $54

WedJun 18

from $54

ThuJun 19

from $54

FriJun 20

from $54

SatJun 21

from $54

SunJun 22

from $54

MonJun 23

Next departures to San Diego

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: June 17 at 6:00am
Departure city: Santa Barbara
Departure location: UC Santa Barbara
Arrival time: June 17 at 1:07pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 7h 7m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: June 17 at 6:00am
Departure city: Santa Barbara
Departure location: UC Santa Barbara
Arrival time: June 17 at 12:53pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Old Town San Diego
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 6h 53m
Departure time: June 17 at 6:00am
Departure city: Santa Barbara
Departure location: UC Santa Barbara
Arrival time: June 17 at 1:07pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 7h 7m
Departure time: June 17 at 12:40pm
Departure city: Santa Barbara
Departure location: UC Santa Barbara
Arrival time: June 17 at 8:04pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 7h 24m
Departure time: June 17 at 12:40pm
Departure city: Santa Barbara
Departure location: UC Santa Barbara
Arrival time: June 17 at 8:04pm
Destination city: San Diego
Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 7h 24m

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$36 - $104	Average Duration7h 45m	CO₂ emissions 8kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$47 - $93	Average Duration6h 14m	CO₂ emissions 27kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the train from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 6 hours 14 minutes and with fares starting at just $47, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

4train per day

6h 14mAverage Duration

$47Cheapest ticket

27kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Santa Barbara to San Diego: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$54

Average bus trip duration7h 45m

Number of daily buses3

Earliest bus departure10:05am

Distance194 miles (312 km)

Latest bus departure9:55pm

Compare bus companies

FlixBus

3.5/59,051 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

Amtrak

4/55,205 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Tornado Bus, Los Limousines, Valley Transit, Tufesa, Wanda Coach

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.

Where are the popular stops in Santa Barbara and San Diego?

Stops in Santa Barbara

A - Train Station

Stops in San Diego

A - Mission Valley Sheraton

B - Old Town Courtyard Marriot

C - Downtown Holiday Inn

D - Greyhound Station

E - Market St. & Park Blvd

F - San Ysidro McDonald's

Frequently asked questions for your trip Santa Barbara - San Diego (CA), US

How can I travel from Santa Barbara to San Diego without a car?
How long does it take to get to San Diego from Santa Barbara by bus?
What is the travel distance from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
What is the most affordable way to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
How much are the bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

06/12

$47

06/13

$51

Today

$43

06/15

$51

06/16

$51

06/17

$51

06/18

$51

06/19

$51

The cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego was searched and found on Jun 14, 2025 with a price of $43

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, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $43 to $84 for a bus 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 $51 which is on 2025-06-15.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling 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 one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Santa Barbara to San Diego will emit less CO2 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 Santa Barbara to San Diego

You can also go to San Diego by train

Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Top traveled bus routes

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 worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers 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.

One passenger / one way

Next departures to San Diego

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 2 ways to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

Bus Santa Barbara to San Diego: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Santa Barbara to San Diego Bus

Where are the popular stops in Santa Barbara and San Diego?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Santa Barbara - San Diego (CA), US

How can I travel from Santa Barbara to San Diego without a car?

How long does it take to get to San Diego from Santa Barbara by bus?

What is the travel distance from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

What is the most affordable way to get from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

How much are the bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego?

What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Santa Barbara by bus?

You can also go to San Diego by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Santa Barbara

Buses Leaving from Santa Barbara

Buses Going to Santa Barbara

Popular Buses Connecting San Diego

Buses Leaving from San Diego

Buses Going to San Diego

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers