Busbud recommends taking the bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara
Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 6 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just $30, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
2bus per day
6h 20mAverage Duration
$30Cheapest ticket
7kgCO₂ emissions
Bus San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara: Trip Overview
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.
Greyhound San Diego Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
I missed a very important meeting and the bus was delayed by 4hrs. I will never use this service again and I will never recommend it to anyone
1 out of 5 stars
Prabhu Y.
Wasn't able to turn reading light on at all during trip. Only complaint from me, otherwise smooth ride
Based on 5418 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $47
Greyhound San Diego Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
I missed a very important meeting and the bus was delayed by 4hrs. I will never use this service again and I will never recommend it to anyone
1 out of 5 stars
Prabhu Y.
Wasn't able to turn reading light on at all during trip. Only complaint from me, otherwise smooth ride
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.
Greyhound San Diego Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
I missed a very important meeting and the bus was delayed by 4hrs. I will never use this service again and I will never recommend it to anyone
1 out of 5 stars
Prabhu Y.
Wasn't able to turn reading light on at all during trip. Only complaint from me, otherwise smooth ride
Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
Bus service from San Diego 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 Diego, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.
Where are the popular stops in San Diego and Santa Barbara?
224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101Train Station
Frequently asked questions for your trip San Diego, CA, US - Santa Barbara
How far is San Diego from Santa Barbara?
The distance separating San Diego and Santa Barbara is 188 miles (303 km).
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara?
Most of the buses traveling from San Diego to Santa Barbara leave from Mission Valley Sheraton and arrive at Train Station. These are the most popular pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, but you can also find other options that could better fit your plans.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
08/22
$51
08/23
$51
Today
$51
08/25
$51
08/26
$51
08/27
$51
08/28
$51
08/29
$54
The cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Aug 22, 2025 with a price of $51
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $51 to $54 for a bus ticket from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $51 which is on 2025-08-25.
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 San Diego 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 San Diego 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 Diego to Santa Barbara.
Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from San Diego to Santa Barbara while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.
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.
9.2% of ground transportation in Europe is done by bus versus 7.4% by train.
What's the cheapest way to go from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara?
The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
Will you be returning to San Diego, CA, US by bus?
Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide 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.
Busbud recommends taking the bus from San Diego to Santa Barbara
The cheapest trip from San Diego, CA, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Aug 22, 2025 with a price of $51
The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
