Find coaches from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo

Next departures

Next departures from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo on 31 October
Operated byVehicle typeDeparture timeDeparture locationTrip durationArrival timeArrival locationRecommendedPrice and booking link
FlixBus
Santa Barbara (University of California), CA
San Luis ObispoCheapestFastest

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 12:50 AM PDT.

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

busbud logoWe recommend taking the bus

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as a good way to reach San Luis Obispo. The journey takes about 2 hours 25 minutes and with fares starting at just US$23, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5bus per day
2h 25mAverage duration
123 kmDistance
3kgCO₂ emissions
Bus
Average priceUS$23 - US$37Average duration2h 25m
3kg CO₂e
Train
Average priceUS$28 - US$61Average duration2h 41m
12kg CO₂e

Bus Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo: Trip Overview

Average ticket priceUS$36
Average bus trip duration2h 25m
Number of daily buses5
Earliest bus departure07:35
Distance123 km
Latest bus departure22:20

Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo Bus

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

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

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

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

  1. How much does a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo cost?

    The bus ticket price from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo starts at US$23. The best way to find cheap bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo is to book your tickets as early as possible. Prices tend to rise as your travel date approaches, so book in advance to secure the best prices!

  2. How long is the bus ride from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo?

    The average travel time between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo is around 2h 25m, although the fastest bus will take about 1h 40m. This is the time it takes to travel the 124 km that separates the two cities.

  3. How many daily bus connections are there between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo?

    The number of buses from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo can differ depending on the day of the week. On average, there are 5 on this route. Some buses run direct routes, while others have layovers. Simplify your bus trip from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo by comparing and selecting the bus that fits your travel style and budget on Busbud.

  4. Which bus companies travel from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo?

    When taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, you can travel comfortably and safely with Amtrak, FlixBus.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found
28/10
US$23
29/10
US$33
Today
US$33
31/10
US$42
01/11
US$33
02/11
US$23
03/11
US$21
04/11
US$20
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo was searched and found on 04 Nov 2025 with a price of US$20

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 San Luis Obispo as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from US$20 to US$42 for a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$20, which is on 2025-11-04.

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

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 San Luis Obispo!

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, 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 Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo.

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

Did you know?

Did you know that 80% of the buses in North America are equipped with WiFi and power outlets ? And 60% of bus travellers have used their electronic device on board during 2014.

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

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

What's the cheapest way to go from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo?

busbud logoThe bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Will you be returning to Santa Barbara by bus?

Bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara

You can also go to San Luis Obispo by train

Train from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo

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. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. 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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