Next departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Old Town San Diego | Train Station | Cheapest | |||||
| Old Town San Diego | Train Station | Fastest | |||||
| Santa Fe Depot | UC Santa Barbara | No tags | |||||
| Santa Fe Depot | UC Santa Barbara | No tags | |||||
| Santa Fe Depot | UC Santa Barbara | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 2:41 PM PST.
Compare 2 ways to go from San Diego to Santa Barbara
Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 5 hours 49 minutes and with fares starting at just $47, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
Train Companies
Based on 5637 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $47
Amtrak San Diego Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
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Frequently asked questions about traveling from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara by train
Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.
How much is the train ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest train tickets from San Diego to Santa Barbara start from $47. The average price for this train route is around $47. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the train journey from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
The average train ride duration from San Diego to Santa Barbara is 5h 49m, covering a distance of 184 miles (296 km). The quickest train can get you there in 5h 39m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators service the San Diego to Santa Barbara route?
Several major train operators operate on this route with 11 trains available per day.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the train from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
The earliest train departs from San Diego to Santa Barbara at 4:01am. And the latest train departs at 4:10pm.
Find cheapest prices for trains
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 Dec 9, 2025 with a price of $44To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your train tickets from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $44 to $205 for a train 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 $44 which is on 2025-12-12.
What's the cheapest way to go from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara?
The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destinationThe best way to travel between San Diego, CA, US and Santa Barbara is by train. By choosing the train, you'll get to save some money as you travel to your destination, as ticket prices cost $47 on average. If you're on a budget, you'll find cheap tickets from $47. If you're looking for the fastest way to get to Santa Barbara, choose the train, as it will take you from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara in about 5h 49m - that's the fastest way to get there!
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