How to travel from San Jose to Santa Barbara

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2 ways to go from San Jose to Santa Barbara

Bus
Average Price$44 - $146Average Duration6h 20m
10kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
Cheapest
Fastest
Train
Average Price$53 - $381Average Duration10h 49m
35kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
Most eco-friendly
Busbud recommends taking the bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 6 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just $44, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1bus per day
6h 20mAverage Duration
$44Cheapest ticket
10kgCO₂ emissions
TomorrowNov 23
SunNov 24
MonNov 25
TueNov 26
WedNov 27
from $98
ThuNov 28
FriNov 29
SatNov 30

Next departures to Santa Barbara

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
    Departure time: November 27 at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: November 27 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
    Departure time: November 27 at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: November 27 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: November 27 at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: November 28 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Santa Barbara Station
    Operated by: FlixBusFlixBus
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: November 27 at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: November 27 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: November 27 at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: November 27 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: Train Station
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: November 27 at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: November 27 at
    Destination city: Santa Barbara
    Destination location: UC Santa Barbara
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

From San Jose to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

Travel the 236 miles (380 km) from San Jose to Santa Barbara by Bus, Train or Train. The average cost for a trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara is $76. This route is served by top travel providers like FlixBus, Greyhound, Amtrak, among others.

Average ticket price$76
Average trip duration8h 34m
Number of daily departures1
Number of daily train departures1
Earliest departure12:55am
Distance236 miles (380 km)
Latest departure11:10pm
Cheapest mode of travelBus - $44
Fastest mode of travelBus - 5h 30m
Popular travel companiesFlixBus, Greyhound, Amtrak

Helpful information to go from San Jose to Santa Barbara

Whether you're a budget traveler or seeking a swift and comfortable journey, planning your trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara is a breeze. Discover the transportation options that suit you and embark on your next adventure!

Travel Modes

Bus

Travel by bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara for an average of $71 and a travel time of 7 hours 21 minutes. Amtrak, FlixBus, Greyhound offer tickets starting at $44.

Train

Opt for a sustainable train journey from San Jose to Santa Barbara. The trip typically takes 9 hours 26 minutes, with ticket prices starting at $53. Amtrak operates trains between these cities, stopping at major stations like Diridon Station, etc.

Flight

While Busbud promotes sustainable travel, flying from San Jose to Santa Barbara is sometime an option travelers can consider. However, be aware of the higher carbon footprint and, in most cases, higher costs compared to other travel options. No matter your chosen travel mode, with Busbud we are here to simplify your decision-making. Find the best way to travel from San Jose to Santa Barbara and the best travel option that perfectly matches your needs and budget, ensuring a seamless booking experience.

Helpful tips to choose the best way to go from San Jose to Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is located approximately 236 miles from San Jose. The most popular departure point for buses is the Diridon Station station, while most trains depart mostly from Diridon Station.

Although flying is an option, taking the train proves to be the quickest and often the most cost-effective choice, with tickets starting at just $44 when booking with Amtrak, FlixBus and Greyhound.

Frequently asked questions

  1. What’s the cheapest way to travel from San Jose to Santa Barbara?

    The most affordable option for this trip is the bus. The cheapest bus ticket costs $44, and the average price is $71. Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate depending on when you book, with last-minute departures typically costing more.

  2. What is the fastest way to travel between San Jose and Santa Barbara?

    If you're pressed for time, the bus reigns supreme, taking you from San Jose to Santa Barbara in roughly 6h 20m.

  3. How do I travel from San Jose to Santa Barbara without a car?

    You can take a bus or train for this route. If you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, than we recommend bus.

  4. How long is the bus ride from San Jose to Santa Barbara?

    The average travel time between San Jose and Santa Barbara is around 6h 20m, although the fastest bus will take about 5h 30m. This is the time it takes to travel the 236 miles that separates the two cities.

  5. Which bus companies travel from San Jose to Santa Barbara?

    When taking the bus from San Jose to Santa Barbara, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak, FlixBus, Greyhound.

  6. How many daily bus connections are there between San Jose and Santa Barbara?

    The number of buses from San Jose to Santa Barbara can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 1 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara by comparing and selecting the bus that fits you travel style and budget on Busbud.

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

    Buses traveling between San Jose and Santa Barbara leave from Diridon Station or Santiago Express San Jose and arrive at Train Station.

  8. How long is the train trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara?

    A train trip between San Jose and Santa Barbara is around 10h 49m, although the fastest train will take about 7h 46m. This is the time it takes to travel the 236 miles that separates the two cities.

  9. How many daily trains are there between San Jose and Santa Barbara?

    The number of trains from San Jose to Santa Barbara can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 1. Some trains are direct while others have layovers. Simplify your train trip from San Jose to Santa Barbara by comparing and selecting the train that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

  10. What are the departure and arrival stations for a train from San Jose to Santa Barbara?

    Trains traveling between San Jose and Santa Barbara leave from Diridon Station or Santiago Express San Jose and arrive at Train Station.

Why choose Busbud?

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Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Which way will you travel today?

Go by bus

Buses from San Jose to Santa Barbara

Buses from Santa Barbara to San Jose

Go by train

Trains from San Jose to Santa Barbara

Trains from Santa Barbara to San Jose

Popular routes