Bedroom
- Power plugs
- Extra legroom
- Free Drinks
- Free meal
- Lounge Access
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£35
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£36
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
6 h 14 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
6 h 14 m
Trains on 17 Sept
2
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 £36 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £35.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 2 trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 302 km distance in an average of 6 h 14 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 6 h 14 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 14 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.




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 an average ticket price of £36 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 52m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £36, while a flight costs an average of £143.
Distance: 302 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£36 Average Price Cheapest | £45 Average Price | £143 Average Price | £39 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 38m Average total duration 6h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 31m Average total duration 6h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 52m Average total duration Fastest 2h 52m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 44m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 1.8kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA:
A train is £8 less than a coach for this route with tickets for a coach from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average £45.
A train is £106 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA costing on average £143.
Other travel options to San Diego, CA take longer:
Coach takes on average 6h 1m.
Train takes on average 6h 8m.
Tickets start at around £36 compared to roughly £39 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £2. The journey takes 6h 8m versus 3h 44m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Wednesday 16 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 20:40 Santa Barbara, CA | 6h27 | 3:07 San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
| Thursday 17 September | |||||
![]() | 13:53 Santa Barbara, CA | 6h14 | 20:07 San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 14:53 Santa Barbara, CA | 6h14 | 21:07 San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 19 times per day, taking around 6h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £36 but you can travel from only £31 by coach.
There are 14 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 55m.
Distance 302 km |
Average train duration 6h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price £36 |
Trains per day 19 |
Direct trains 14 |
Fastest train 5h 55m |
First train 3:50 |
Last train 19:19 |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Compare Amtrak classes and the amenities included in each one.
Discover the best of San Diego, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect San Diego, CA trip today.
Extensive naval aviation museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier. Visit for flight decks, restored aircraft, and hands-on maritime history.
Major Balboa Park art museum with Spanish old masters, Asian art, and sculpture. A strong choice for architecture and varied collections.
Interactive Balboa Park museum exploring anthropology, culture, and race. Climb the tower for city views with a separate ticket.
Large urban cultural park with gardens, museums, theatres, and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Ideal for walking and a full day out.
Historic district with preserved 19th-century buildings, museums, and lively public spaces. Visit for local heritage and easy walking.
Clifftop coastal reserve with trails, wild shoreline views, and sea caves nearby. A popular local spot for sunsets and walks.
A large flour tortilla stuffed with carne asada, chips, cheese, guacamole and salsa. It is a San Diego taqueria classic with strong border-city roots.
Fries topped with carne asada, cheese, guacamole, sour cream and salsa. This indulgent late-night favourite is strongly associated with San Diego taco shops.
Beer-battered local white fish in tortillas with cabbage and crema. Baja-style fish tacos are a defining everyday food in San Diego’s coastal dining scene.
Casual seafood counter known for Baja-style fish tacos and fried seafood near the beach. Lively, unfussy and popular with locals and visitors.
Busy taqueria famous for carne asada fries, burritos and other San Diego taco-shop staples. Informal atmosphere and reliable late-night choice.
Historic Little Italy restaurant serving hearty Italian-American classics, sandwiches and house specialities. Old-school atmosphere with strong local character.
San Diego is pricier than many US cities, with high hotel and dining costs, though tacos, casual eats and public transport can help keep daily spending manageable.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, 10-15% for taxis, and $1-2 for café drinks if table service or special prep is involved.
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.

Most Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trains use the Santa Barbara Station to Santa Fe Depot station pair, with some services arriving at Old Town Station. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and San Diego, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like 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 options include: The Lark, Santo Mezcal
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Barbara Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Californian, Harbor View Inn, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.
Goleta Station is 1 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
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 options include: The Habit Burger Grill, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
Ticket office support is available at Goleta Station. Information desks are located near the platform.
Available at Goleta Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Goleta Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Goleta Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta.
Santa Barbara, University of California is 13 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Barbara, University of California has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Food court located nearby on campus.
Free Wi-Fi available for passengers. ATMs are aTM located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara, University of California.
Available at Santa Barbara, University of California: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara, University of California: Wheelchair accessible with elevators and ramps.
Santa Fe Depot is 1 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Fe Depot has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Fish Market, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Fe Depot. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Fe Depot. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Fe Depot: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include The Westin San Diego, The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown.
Old Town Station is 5 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Old Town Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Casa Guadalajara, Old Town Mexican Cafe
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Old Town Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Old Town Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Old Town Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Old Town Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Old Town Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Old Town Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town, Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need