Next departures
| Operated by | Vehicle type | Departure time | Departure location | Trip duration | Arrival time | Arrival location | Recommended | Price and booking link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | Cheapest | |||||
| Train Station | Old Town San Diego | Fastest | |||||
| Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | No tags | |||||
| Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | No tags | |||||
| Train Station | Santa Fe Depot | No tags |
Last refresh of the prices: Yesterday at 7:38 PM PST.
Compare 2 ways to go 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 15 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 $44
Amtrak Santa Barbara San Diego recent customer reviews
It was hard to understand the announcements.
Giovanni D.
Frequently asked questions about traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US 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 Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The cheapest train tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego 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 Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The average train ride duration from Santa Barbara to San Diego is 6h 15m, covering a distance of 187 miles (301 km). The quickest train can get you there in 5h 53m and is operated by Amtrak.
Which train operators service the Santa Barbara to San Diego route?
Several major train operators operate on this route with 13 trains available per day.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the train from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The earliest train departs from Santa Barbara to San Diego at 6:53am. And the latest train departs at 6:57pm.
Find cheapest prices for trains
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
The cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US 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 Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $44 to $270 for a train 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 $44 which is on 2025-12-12.
What's the cheapest way to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US?
The train is the cheapest travel choice for this destinationThe best way to travel between Santa Barbara and San Diego, CA, US 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 San Diego, CA, US, choose the train, as it will take you from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US in about 6h 15m - that's the fastest way to get there!
Top Traveled Train Routes
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