How much is the bus ticket from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

The cheapest bus tickets from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara start from $18. The average price for this route is around $36. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.

How long is the bus ride from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

The average bus trip duration from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is 2h 45m, covering a distance of 96 miles (154 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 55m and is operated by FlixBus .

Which bus companies service the Los Angeles to Santa Barbara route?

Several major bus companies operate on this route with 10 buses available per day, including services from Santa Barbara Airbus , Amtrak , FlixBus , Greyhound .

What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

The earliest bus departs from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara at 4:50am. And the latest bus departs at 10:00pm.

What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

A bus trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara generates an estimated 4 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.

What is the best bus company from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak , with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5597 reviews.

Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.

Which bus company has the most timely service from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Santa Barbara Airbus , with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?

According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Santa Barbara Airbus , with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Bus Los Angeles to Santa Barbara from $18 | Refundable Tickets

Next departures

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 4
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
2:00pm	LAX Airport	2h 30m	4:30pm	La Cumbre Plaza	CheapestFastest
3:30pm	LAX Airport	3h	6:30pm	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags
5:30pm	LAX Airport	3h	8:30pm	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags
7:30pm	LAX Airport	3h	10:30pm	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags
10:00pm	LAX Airport	3h	1:00am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 5
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
5:35am	UCLA	2h 15m	7:50am	UC Santa Barbara	Cheapest
5:35am	UCLA	2h	7:35am	Train Station	Fastest
5:35am	UCLA	6h 39m	12:14pm	Train Station	No tags
8:00am	LAX Airport	2h 30m	10:30am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags
5:35am	UCLA	6h 39m	12:14pm	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 6
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
5:45am	UCLA	2h 15m	8:00am	UC Santa Barbara	Cheapest
5:45am	UCLA	2h	7:45am	Train Station	Fastest
8:35am	UCLA	3h 15m	11:50am	Train Station	No tags
8:00am	LAX Airport	2h 30m	10:30am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags
8:35am	UCLA	3h 15m	11:50am	Train Station	No tags

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 7
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	9:30am	Los Angeles Union Station	2h 10m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	Cheapest
	5:45am	UCLA	2h	7:45am	Train Station	Fastest
	5:45am	UCLA	2h 15m	8:00am	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus	7:10am	Lankershim/Magnolia - North Hollywood	4h 30m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	No tags
	8:00am	LAX Airport	2h 30m	10:30am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 8
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	9:30am	Los Angeles Union Station	2h 10m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	Cheapest
	5:35am	UCLA	2h	7:35am	Train Station	Fastest
	5:35am	UCLA	2h 15m	7:50am	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus	7:10am	Lankershim/Magnolia - North Hollywood	4h 30m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	No tags
	8:00am	LAX Airport	2h 30m	10:30am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 9
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	9:30am	Los Angeles Union Station	2h 10m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	Cheapest
	5:35am	UCLA	2h	7:35am	Train Station	Fastest
	5:35am	UCLA	2h 15m	7:50am	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus	7:10am	Lankershim/Magnolia - North Hollywood	4h 30m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	No tags
	8:00am	LAX Airport	2h 30m	10:30am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 10
Operated by	Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
	9:30am	Los Angeles Union Station	2h 10m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	Cheapest
	5:35am	UCLA	2h	7:35am	Train Station	Fastest
	5:35am	UCLA	2h 15m	7:50am	UC Santa Barbara	No tags
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus	7:10am	Lankershim/Magnolia - North Hollywood	4h 30m	11:40am	Santa Barbara Station	No tags
	8:00am	LAX Airport	2h 30m	10:30am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags

Next departures for Los Angeles to Santa Barbara on December 11
Departure time	Departure location	Trip duration	Arrival time	Arrival location	Recommended
5:35am	UCLA	2h 15m	7:50am	UC Santa Barbara	Cheapest
5:35am	UCLA	2h	7:35am	Train Station	Fastest
5:35am	UCLA	6h 39m	12:14pm	Train Station	No tags
8:00am	LAX Airport	2h 30m	10:30am	La Cumbre Plaza	No tags
5:35am	UCLA	6h 39m	12:14pm	Train Station	No tags

Last refresh of the prices: Today at 12:57 AM PST.

Compare 2 ways to go from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

We recommend taking the train

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as the good way to reach Santa Barbara. The journey takes about 2 hours 36 minutes and with fares starting at just $26, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

11train per day

2h 36mAverage Duration

87 milesDistance

13kgCO₂ emissions

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions	Actions
Bus	Average Price$18 - $72	Average Duration2h 45m	CO₂ emissions 4kg CO₂e
Train	Average Price$26 - $128	Average Duration2h 36m	CO₂ emissions 13kg CO₂e

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

Stops in Los Angeles

A
Ramirez Street bus stop
530 Ramirez St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA
B
UCLA
571-581 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
Visit page
C
Los Angeles International Airport
Visit page
D
613 Maple Ave
613 Maple Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
Visit page
E
Downtown Westin Bonaventure
404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA
F
LAX Airport Holiday Inn
9901 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA

Stops in Santa Barbara

A
Train Station
224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Visit page

Compare bus companies

Santa Barbara Airbus

4/51 reviews

Staff5

Timeliness5

Cleanliness5

Amtrak

4/55,623 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

The train 777 its so late

Nico G.

May 8, 2023

FlixBus

3.5/511,518 reviews

Staff4.2

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.

Greyhound

3.5/587,413 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.9

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.4

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 Los Angeles Santa Barbara recent customer reviews

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

Callista G.

March 26, 2019

I am very satisfied with my Greyhound bus trip, clean, safe, pleasant. I rekommend.

Marie Anne B.

February 26, 2019

Awful service. We missed the bus because it left 10 minutes early from LA even though it was the first stop on the route. The staff was unhelpful and did not attempt to help us.

Kellen M.

November 16, 2018

US bus companies: FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, ALSA, Greyhound, Intercape, Trenitalia, Big Sky

Frequently asked questions about traveling from Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara by bus

Please note that schedules, routes, or operator details shown here may be updated or vary at the time of your trip.

How much is the bus ticket from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest bus tickets from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara start from $18. The average price for this route is around $36. Busbud recommends that you book your tickets in advance for a better chance to get the lowest possible price.
How long is the bus ride from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
The average bus trip duration from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is 2h 45m, covering a distance of 96 miles (154 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 1h 55m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the Los Angeles to Santa Barbara route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 10 buses available per day, including services from Santa Barbara Airbus, Amtrak, FlixBus, Greyhound.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
The earliest bus departs from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara at 4:50am. And the latest bus departs at 10:00pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
A bus trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara generates an estimated 4 kg of CO₂, making it a highly eco-friendly travel option and recommended mode of travel by Busbud.
What is the best bus company from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud customers, the highest-rated bus company on this route is Amtrak, with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars based on 5597 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
Based on reviews on Busbud, the bus company Amtrak has the best Wi-Fi rating with a score of 3.6.
Which bus company has the most timely service from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is Santa Barbara Airbus, with a punctuality rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Santa Barbara Airbus, with a cleanliness rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found

12/02

$33

12/03

$23

Today

$33

12/05

$33

12/06

$33

12/07

$28

12/08

$18

12/09

$18

The cheapest trip from Los Angeles, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Dec 8, 2025 with a price of $18

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 $18 to $292 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 $18 which is on 2025-12-08.

Usually Santa Barbara Airbus, 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.