Find coaches from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz (CA), US

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Today17 Jun
Tomorrow18 Jun
Thu19 Jun
Fri20 Jun
from US$81
Sat21 Jun
Sun22 Jun
Mon23 Jun
Tue24 Jun

Cheap buses leaving Friday

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Cheapest + Fastest
    Departure time: 20 June at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: UC Santa Barbara
    Arrival time: 21 June at
    Destination city: Santa Cruz
    Destination location: Santa Cruz, CA
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: 20 June at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: 21 June at
    Destination city: Santa Cruz
    Destination location: Santa Cruz, CA
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

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Compare 2 ways to travel from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz

Bus
Average priceUS$81 - US$81Average duration1d 5h
9kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
Most eco-friendly
Train
Average priceUS$77 - US$96Average duration10h 20m
32kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
CheapestFastest
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach Santa Cruz. The journey takes about 10 hours 20 minutes and with fares starting at just US$77, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

1train per day
10h 20mAverage duration
US$77Cheapest ticket
32kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz: Trip Overview

Average ticket priceUS$81
Average bus trip duration1d 5h
Number of daily buses2
Earliest bus departure07:45
Distance214 miles
Latest bus departure08:00

Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

We make sure you can find a bus service from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz from the most reliable bus companies operating this trip.

Discover how much the bus trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Frequently asked questions on the trip Santa Barbara - Santa Cruz (CA), US

  1. How much does it cost to travel by coach from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?

    The price for a coach ticket from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz starts at US$1, though the average is US$1. These prices can change depending on factors like the date, the class and the coach company you choose. Use Busbud to compare prices and amenities offered by different companies, ensuring you find the most favorable deals and promotions.

  2. How long is a coach from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?

    The average duration for a trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz by coach is around 1d 5h. The fastest coach journey typically takes 1d 5h. However, please keep in mind that your specific travel time may vary due to the prevailing traffic conditions along the route.

  3. At what time is the first coach from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?

    The first departure to Santa Cruz is at 07:45. Keep in mind that departure times might change on weekends and holidays.

  4. What's the distance between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz by coach?

    The distance between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz by coach is approximately 220 miles (354 km).

  5. What is the best way to go from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz without a car?

    You can travel to Santa Cruz from Santa Barbara by coach, which provides a smooth ride and an affordable and convenient trip. You can also consider rideshare services depending on your preferences.

  6. Can I catch a night coach from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?

    Yes, you can find coaches leaving until 08:00 and arriving the next day. Remember to bring along some essentials like a snuggly blanket and a few treats for a comfortable trip.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found
15/06
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Today
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18/06
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20/06
US$77
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busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz was searched and found on 20 Jun 2025 with a price of US$77

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

You can expect to pay from US$77 to US$77 for a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$77, which is on 2025-06-20.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz!

Start sightseeing the minute your bus leaves the station. If you're on the night bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz, get comfy and count the stars.

Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes. A bus going from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz will emit half the CO2 emitted by a train, and radically less than a car or an airplane.

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

Did you know?

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

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

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

What's the cheapest way to go from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz?

busbud logoThe bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Will you be returning to Santa Barbara by bus?

Bus from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz

You can also go to Santa Cruz by train

Train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travellers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travellers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.

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