What is the distance between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara?

Los Angeles and Santa Barbara are 87 miles (141 km) apart.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

If you're headed to Santa Barbara from Los Angeles, chances are that your bus will depart from Los Angeles International Airport and arrive at Train Station. These are the most popular departure and arrival locations on this route, but you could find others that could be a better fit for your travel plans.

Bus Los Angeles to Santa Barbara from $13 | Refundable Tickets

TodayAug 31

from $72

TomorrowSep 1

from $31

TueSep 2

from $27

WedSep 3

from $26

ThuSep 4

from $23

FriSep 5

from $26

SatSep 6

from $25

SunSep 7

from $26

Next departures to Santa Barbara

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest + Fastest
Departure time: September 1 at 9:30am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: Los Angeles Union Station
Arrival time: September 1 at 11:40am
Destination city: Santa Barbara
Destination location: Santa Barbara Station
Operated by: FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2h 10m
Departure time: September 1 at 7:10am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: Lankershim/Magnolia - North Hollywood
Arrival time: September 1 at 11:40am
Destination city: Santa Barbara
Destination location: Santa Barbara Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 4h 30m
Departure time: September 1 at 8:00am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: LAX Los Angeles International Airport
Arrival time: September 1 at 10:30am
Destination city: Santa Barbara
Destination location: Santa Barbara
Operated by: Santa Barbara Airbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2h 30m
Departure time: September 1 at 8:35am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: UCLA
Arrival time: September 1 at 11:50am
Destination city: Santa Barbara
Destination location: Train Station
Operated by: Amtrak
Vehicle: BusDuration: 3h 15m
Departure time: September 1 at 10:30am
Departure city: Los Angeles
Departure location: LAX Los Angeles International Airport
Arrival time: September 1 at 1:00pm
Destination city: Santa Barbara
Destination location: Santa Barbara
Operated by: Santa Barbara Airbus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 2h 30m

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$20 - $72	Average Duration2h 45m	CO₂ emissions 3kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$26 - $345	Average Duration2h 26m	CO₂ emissions 13kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 2 hours 26 minutes and with fares starting at just $26, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

3train per day

2h 26mAverage Duration

$26Cheapest ticket

13kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$49

Average bus trip duration2h 45m

Number of daily buses16

Earliest bus departure4:50am

Distance84 miles (134 km)

Latest bus departure10:00pm

Compare bus companies

Santa Barbara Airbus

4/51 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

Based on 1 reviews, the company was rated 4 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the staff and the timeliness but often complained with the ticket access. Santa Barbara Airbus ticket prices on this trip start at $72

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

The bus to train station never arrived, I spent money for a Uber to catch the train

Ruixia B.

March 8, 2023

We were delayed over 4 hours . Which I understand that the circumstances were serious . However, the passengers should have been compensated either their cost of tickets or gotten another transportation mode. Either Uber or another Amtrak bus to pick us up so we didn’t get our schedules all fuxked up, after two hours of waiting . We all missed a 1/3rd of our day bc somebody wanted to kill themselves. And also they should put an emergency brake for that situation like if someone is standing in the track there should be an emergency suicide prevention brake.

Paul B.

October 12, 2022

Bus kind of smelled, pleasant ride, kind of rude staff at actual station, kind bus driver

Callista G.

March 26, 2019

Amtrak

4/55,434 reviews

Staff4.7

Timeliness3.8

Cleanliness4.6

Wifi3.6

Passengers express dissatisfaction with the service, mentioning significant delays and lack of compensation for the inconvenience caused. They suggest providing alternative transportation options or compensating passengers in situations like these to avoid disrupting their schedules. Additionally, it is recommended to implement safety measures such as an emergency brake system to prevent accidents on tracks.

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

The bus to train station never arrived, I spent money for a Uber to catch the train

Ruixia B.

March 8, 2023

We were delayed over 4 hours . Which I understand that the circumstances were serious . However, the passengers should have been compensated either their cost of tickets or gotten another transportation mode. Either Uber or another Amtrak bus to pick us up so we didn’t get our schedules all fuxked up, after two hours of waiting . We all missed a 1/3rd of our day bc somebody wanted to kill themselves. And also they should put an emergency brake for that situation like if someone is standing in the track there should be an emergency suicide prevention brake.

Paul B.

October 12, 2022

Bus kind of smelled, pleasant ride, kind of rude staff at actual station, kind bus driver

Callista G.

March 26, 2019

FlixBus

3.5/510,331 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness3.9

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.7

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

The bus to train station never arrived, I spent money for a Uber to catch the train

Ruixia B.

March 8, 2023

We were delayed over 4 hours . Which I understand that the circumstances were serious . However, the passengers should have been compensated either their cost of tickets or gotten another transportation mode. Either Uber or another Amtrak bus to pick us up so we didn’t get our schedules all fuxked up, after two hours of waiting . We all missed a 1/3rd of our day bc somebody wanted to kill themselves. And also they should put an emergency brake for that situation like if someone is standing in the track there should be an emergency suicide prevention brake.

Paul B.

October 12, 2022

Bus kind of smelled, pleasant ride, kind of rude staff at actual station, kind bus driver

Callista G.

March 26, 2019

Greyhound

3.5/587,222 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.9

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

The bus to train station never arrived, I spent money for a Uber to catch the train

Ruixia B.

March 8, 2023

We were delayed over 4 hours . Which I understand that the circumstances were serious . However, the passengers should have been compensated either their cost of tickets or gotten another transportation mode. Either Uber or another Amtrak bus to pick us up so we didn’t get our schedules all fuxked up, after two hours of waiting . We all missed a 1/3rd of our day bc somebody wanted to kill themselves. And also they should put an emergency brake for that situation like if someone is standing in the track there should be an emergency suicide prevention brake.

Paul B.

October 12, 2022

Bus kind of smelled, pleasant ride, kind of rude staff at actual station, kind bus driver

Callista G.

March 26, 2019

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Tornado Bus, Los Limousines, Valley Transit, Tufesa, Wanda Coach

Los Angeles to Santa Barbara Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

Bus service from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.

From cheap bus tickets to more luxurious buses traveling from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, we offer a wide range of bus services to best suit your needs depending on how much your budget is.

Where are the popular stops in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara?

Stops in Los Angeles

A - Los Angeles International Airport

B - Ramirez Street bus stop

C - UCLA

D - 613 Maple Ave

E - Downtown Westin Bonaventure

F - LAX Airport Holiday Inn

Stops in Santa Barbara

A - Train Station

Frequently asked questions for your trip Los Angeles, US - Santa Barbara

What is the distance between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

08/29

$23

08/30

$22

Today

$23

09/01

$23

09/02

$20

09/03

$19

09/04

$16

09/05

$19

The cheapest trip from Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Sep 4, 2025 with a price of $16

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

You can expect to pay from $16 to $189 for a bus ticket from Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $16 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

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

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

Taking the bus creates the smallest carbon footprint compared to other modes of transport. Not to mention that buses will allow you to discover scenic gems from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara that are otherwise impossible to come by with a plane.

Create your own real life musical score by curating a personalized bus travel playlist - the perfect accompaniment to your bus ride from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

Did you know?

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

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.

Will you be returning to Los Angeles, US by bus?

Bus from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, US

You can also go to Santa Barbara by train

Train from Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud.com makes it easy for you to find, compare and book city-to-city bus tickets, all over the world. We save you the extra trip to the bus station. 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.

Bus Tickets from Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara

One passenger / one way

Next departures to Santa Barbara

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

One passenger / one way

Compare 2 ways to go from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

Bus Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview

Compare bus companies

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

Amtrak Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

Los Angeles to Santa Barbara Bus

Where are the popular stops in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara?

Frequently asked questions for your trip Los Angeles, US - Santa Barbara

What is the distance between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara?

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

Find cheapest prices for buses

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Did you know?

Will you be returning to Los Angeles, US by bus?

You can also go to Santa Barbara by train

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

People from around the world trust Busbud

Popular Buses Connecting Los Angeles

Buses Leaving from Los Angeles

Buses Going to Los Angeles

Popular Buses Connecting Santa Barbara

Buses Leaving from Santa Barbara

Buses Going to Santa Barbara

Popular routes in this country

Popular airport transfers