Find coaches from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Next departures

Next departures from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara on 3 September
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
FlixBus
San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara StationCheapestFastest
Amtrak
AMTRAK Station
UC Santa BarbaraNo tags
Amtrak
Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
Train StationNo tags
Amtrak
AMTRAK Station
Train StationNo tags
Amtrak
Cal Poly Vista Grande Dining Complex
UC Santa BarbaraNo tags

Accepted payments

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Compare 2 ways to travel from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Bus
Average priceUS$22 - US$43Average duration2h 25m
3kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
CheapestFastestMost eco-friendly
Train
Average priceUS$28 - US$61Average duration2h 35m
12kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 2 hours 25 minutes and with fares starting at just US$22, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

6bus per day
2h 25mAverage duration
US$22Cheapest ticket
3kgCO₂ emissions

Bus San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

Average ticket priceUS$36
Average bus trip duration2h 25m
Number of daily buses6
Earliest bus departure06:00
Distance81 miles
Latest bus departure19:25

San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

Bus service from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Santa Barbara from San Luis Obispo, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Frequently asked questions on the trip San Luis Obispo - Santa Barbara

  1. How far is Santa Barbara from San Luis Obispo by coach?

    The distance between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara by coach is approximately 77 miles (124 km).

  2. Is there a way to reach Santa Barbara from San Luis Obispo without a car?

    The best way to go from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara without a car is by coach. They are frequent and reliable, offering a convenient and eco-friendly journey. You can also consider rideshare services depending on your preferences.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
31/08
US$23
01/09
US$22
Today
US$22
03/09
US$19
04/09
US$19
05/09
US$19
06/09
US$19
07/09
US$20
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara was searched and found on 4 Sept 2025 with a price of US$19

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from US$19 to US$59 for a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$19, which is on 2025-09-04.

Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while travelling from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.

9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

Will you be returning to San Luis Obispo by bus?

Bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo

You can also go to Santa Barbara by train

Train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worlwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. 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.

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