- Must visit
USS Midway Museum
Extensive naval aviation museum aboard a historic aircraft carrier. Visit for flight decks, restored aircraft, and hands-on maritime history.
Cheapest price
£36
Average price
£47
Fastest journey
5 h 48 m
Average duration
5 h 57 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 £47 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £36.
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 57 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 48 m .
The slowest trains will take 6 h 3 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.
790 Pacific Surfliner
774 Pacific Surfliner
782 Pacific Surfliner
786 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
786 Pacific Surfliner
794 Pacific Surfliner
770 Pacific Surfliner
786 Pacific Surfliner
774 Pacific SurflinerOmio 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 £84.
Distance: 302 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£36 Average Price Cheapest | £47 Average Price | £182 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.
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Sunday 2 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:15 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 12h49 | 1:04 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 change | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:15 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 12h35 | 0:50 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 change | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:29 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h38 | 19:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:45 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h07 | 18:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:45 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h22 | 19:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 14:47 Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h20 | 21:07 Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 15:04 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h48 | 20:52 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 changesdirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 15:04 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h03 | 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 | 6h27 | 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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
| Monday 3 August | |||||
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 | 6h18 | 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 | |
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 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 |
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 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