Based on 5632 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 $51
Amtrak San Francisco Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
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 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 Francisco Santa Barbara recent customer reviews
Greyhound is an awful company with terrible customer service. Our bus was due to leave at 9pm but was delayed by “3 hours”. We were then taken from San Francisco to Oakland where we were told to wait for our driver - we kept receiving updates that she’d be there in “10 minutes” and then that she wasn’t coming at all and we were told to find our own way home - after we’d been taken from San Francisco to Oakland by Greyhound. Our did not arrive for another 3 hours. When we finally did leave we had a collision which caused our journey time to increase by 2 hours. The driver was also lost and was asking passengers for a charger to charge her phone so she could use her GPS to get us there which was highly unprofessional. I’m extremely upset and disappointed, our trip has been ruined as we only had one day in Santa Barbara. I will not be using Greyhound again and would never recommend to a friend. The customer service was terrible, hardly an apology for delaying us by 6 hours. This trip has been far more hassle and stress than is necessary and next time I would definitely fly or go with Amtrak.
Frequently asked questions about traveling from San Francisco, 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
The cheapest bus tickets from San Francisco to Santa Barbara start from $47. The average price for this route is around $91. 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
The average bus trip duration from San Francisco to Santa Barbara is 6h 20m, covering a distance of 277 miles (446 km). The quickest bus can get you there in 6h 20m and is operated by FlixBus.
Which bus companies service the San Francisco to Santa Barbara route?
Several major bus companies operate on this route with 1 buses available per day, including services from Amtrak, FlixBus, Greyhound.
What is the earliest and latest departure time for the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
The earliest bus departs from San Francisco to Santa Barbara at 8:20am. And the latest bus departs at 10:40pm.
What are the CO₂ emissions for the bus trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
A bus trip from San Francisco to Santa Barbara generates an estimated 11 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 San Francisco 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 5627 reviews.
Which bus company has the best Wi-Fi from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the most timely bus company on this route is FlixBus, with a punctuality rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars.
Which bus company has the cleanest buses from San Francisco to Santa Barbara?
According to Busbud traveller reviews, the bus company with the cleanest buses on this route is Amtrak, with a cleanliness rating of 4.5 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
12/07
$48
12/08
$48
Today
$48
12/10
$48
12/11
$42
12/12
No data
12/13
No data
12/14
No data
The cheapest trip from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Dec 11, 2025 with a price of $42
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $42 to $247 for a bus ticket from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $42 which is on 2025-12-11.
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.
The cheapest trip from San Francisco, US to Santa Barbara was searched and found on Dec 11, 2025 with a price of $42
