The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
£26
Average price
£27
Fastest journey
2 h 48 m
Average duration
2 h 54 m
Trains per day
11
Distance
140 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA will cost around £27 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £26.
Of the 11 trains that leave Santa Barbara, CA for Los Angeles, CA every day 11 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 140 km distance in an average of 2 h 54 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 48 m .
The slowest trains will take 3 h and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
770 Pacific Surfliner6:532h53Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA9:46Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
770 Pacific Surfliner6:393h07Goleta Station, Goleta, CA9:46Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
790 Pacific Surfliner16:403h05Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA19:45Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
774 Pacific Surfliner8:313h14Goleta Station, Goleta, CA11:45Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
790 Pacific Surfliner16:253h20Goleta Station, Goleta, CA19:45Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
786 Pacific Surfliner15:042h48Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA17:52Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
11 Coast Starlight18:192h52Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA21:11Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£431One-way0 changes
770 Pacific Surfliner6:532h53Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA9:46Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
774 Pacific Surfliner8:492h56Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA11:45Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
782 Pacific Surfliner12:453h00Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA15:45Union Station, Los Angeles, CA£261One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare train and coach for Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £12. For those with little time consider booking a coach which can get you there in 2h 20m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £12, and a train costs an average of £18.
Distance: 140 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach |
|---|---|
£25 Average Price | £24 Average Price Cheapest |
3h 31m Average total duration 3h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 50m Average total duration Fastest 2h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA trains for today, Friday 17 July. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:31 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h12 | 11:43 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h54 | 11:43 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:15 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 9h31 | 21:46 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 change | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:29 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h16 | 15:45 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:45 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 3h00 | 15:45 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 14:47 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h03 | 17:50 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 15:04 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h46 | 17:50 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 16:25 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h18 | 19:43 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 16:40 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 3h03 | 19:43 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
11 Coast Starlight | 18:19 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h52 | 21:11 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 18:38 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h08 | 21:46 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 19:00 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h46 | 21:46 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
| Saturday 18 July | |||||
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:39 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h07 | 9:46 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:53 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h53 | 9:46 Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train or coach
Compare train and coach prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
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How far in advance should I book train tickets from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA run on average 12 times per day, taking around 3h 1m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £18 but you can travel from only £12 by coach.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:13, the last at 19:59. The fastest train covers the 140 km distance in 2h 52m.
Distance 140 km |
Average train duration 3h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price £18 |
Trains per day 12 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 2h 52m |
First train 5:13 |
Last train 19:59 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 35 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara, CA and Los Angeles, CA from £12. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Santa Barbara, CA and Los Angeles, CA
Most Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA trains use the Santa Barbara Station to Union Station station pair, with some services arriving at Van Nuys, Metrolink Station. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and Los Angeles, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Which Santa Barbara, CA station do trains to Los Angeles, CA leave from?
Getting to Santa Barbara Station from Santa Barbara city centre
Santa Barbara Station train station facilities and services
Santa Barbara Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: The Lark, Santo Mezcal
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Santa Barbara Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hotel Californian, Harbor View Inn, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.
Getting to Goleta Station from Santa Barbara city centre
Goleta Station is 1 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
Goleta Station train station facilities and services
Goleta Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: The Habit Burger Grill, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Goleta Station. Information desks are located near the platform.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Goleta Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Goleta Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Goleta Station: Ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta.
Which Los Angeles, CA station do trains from Santa Barbara, CA arrive at?
Getting to Union Station from Los Angeles city centre
Union Station train station facilities and services
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Shower, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: Traxx Restaurant, Union Station Cafe, Philippe The Original
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Union Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Union Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, restrooms.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown, Miyako Hotel Los Angeles, Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza.
Getting to Van Nuys, Metrolink Station from Los Angeles city centre
Van Nuys, Metrolink Station is 25 km from Los Angeles city centre. Public transport options include:
Van Nuys, Metrolink Station train station facilities and services
Van Nuys, Metrolink Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Van Nuys, Metrolink Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Van Nuys, Metrolink Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Van Nuys, Metrolink Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Van Nuys, Metrolink Station: Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Van Nuys, Metrolink Station.
Getting to Chatsworth Station from Los Angeles city centre
Chatsworth Station is 39 km from Los Angeles city centre. Public transport options include:
Chatsworth Station train station facilities and services
Chatsworth Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Chatsworth Station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Chatsworth Station. Information desks are located near the main entrance.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Chatsworth Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Chatsworth Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Chatsworth Station: Ramps, restrooms.
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
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