The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
Cheapest price
£37
Average price
£48
Fastest journey
5 h 50 m
Average duration
5 h 58 m
Trains per day
22
Distance
302 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA will cost around £48 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £37.
Of the 22 trains that leave Santa Barbara, CA for San Diego, CA every day 18 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 302 km distance in an average of 5 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 50 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 4 m 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.
774 Pacific Surfliner8:496h03Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA14:52Old Town Station, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
786 Pacific Surfliner14:575h55Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA20:52Old Town Station, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
790 Pacific Surfliner16:406h11Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA22:51Old Town Station, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
782 Pacific Surfliner12:406h27Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA19:07Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
794 Pacific Surfliner19:006h04Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA1:04Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
794 Pacific Surfliner19:005h50Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA0:50Old Town Station, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
786 Pacific Surfliner14:575h55Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA20:52Old Town Station, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
770 Pacific Surfliner6:535h59Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:52Old Town Station, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
774 Pacific Surfliner8:496h03Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA14:52Old Town Station, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
794 Pacific Surfliner19:006h04Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA1:04Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA£371One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare train, coach and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £35. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 40m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £35, and a flight costs an average of £85.
Distance: 302 km
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£36 Average Price Cheapest | £48 Average Price | £184 Average Price |
6h 39m Average total duration 6h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 37m Average total duration 6h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 40m Average total duration Fastest 4h 40m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Thursday 18 June. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:39 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h28 | 13:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:53 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h59 | 12:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:53 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h14 | 13:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:31 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h36 | 15:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h03 | 14:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h18 | 15:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:21 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 12h43 | 1:04 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 change | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:21 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 12h29 | 0:50 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 change | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:26 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h41 | 19:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:40 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h12 | 18:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:40 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h27 | 19:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 14:35 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h32 | 21:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 14:57 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h55 | 20:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 14:57 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h10 | 21:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 16:25 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h42 | 23:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 16:40 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h11 | 22:51 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 16:40 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h27 | 23:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
11 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 18:19 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h31 | 0:50 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 change | |
11 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 18:19 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h45 | 1:04 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 change | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 18:38 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h26 | 1:04 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 19:00 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h50 | 0:50 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 19:00 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h04 | 1:04 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
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Compare prices and tickets Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA by train, coach or flight
Compare train, coach and flight 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 San Diego, CA?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 18 times per day, taking around 6h 9m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £35 but you can travel from only £29 by coach.
There are 12 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 19:19. The fastest train covers the 302 km distance in 5h 53m.
Distance 302 km |
Average train duration 6h 9m |
Cheapest ticket price £35 |
Trains per day 18 |
Direct trains 12 |
Fastest train 5h 53m |
First train 3:50 |
Last train 19:19 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 14 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara, CA and San Diego, CA from £29. 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 San Diego, CA train
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Important Stations and Airports in Santa Barbara, CA and San Diego, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station
- The Lark
- Santo Mezcal
- Outside the main entrance
- Ramps, restrooms
- $1
- Hotel Californian
- Harbor View Inn
- Hotel Milo Santa Barbara
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main hall with ticketing and waiting areas.
- Bus: Several lines available
- Trolley: Downtown Waterfront Shuttle
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available adjacent to the station, with spaces for both short-term and long-term parking
- The Habit Burger Grill
- Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance
- Ramps
- Free for passengers
- Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta
- Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta
- Located near the platform
- Free
- The station consists of a single platform with a waiting area and parking facilities nearby.
- Bus: Santa Barbara MTD Line 6, Line 11
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available nearby with various public and private options
- The Fish Market
- Karl Strauss Brewing Company
- Outside the main entrance
- Ramps
- $1.25
- The Westin San Diego
- The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms for Amtrak and Coaster trains
- Hall 2: Trolley connections
- San Diego Trolley: Blue Line, Green Line
- Bus: Several lines available
- Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
- 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available with several spaces for commuters and visitors
- Casa Guadalajara
- Old Town Mexican Cafe
- Outside the main entrance
- Elevators, ramps
- $0.25
- Old Town Inn
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town
- Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, platforms for Amtrak and Coaster trains
- Hall 2: Trolley connections
- Trolley: Green Line
- Bus: Several lines available including 8, 9, 10, 28, 30, 35, 44, 88, 105, 150, 923, 928
Most popular train connections from Santa Barbara, CA
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