Bus Tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US

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TodayAug 6
from $54
TomorrowAug 7
from $54
FriAug 8
from $54
SatAug 9
from $54
SunAug 10
from $54
MonAug 11
from $54
TueAug 12
from $54
WedAug 13

Cheap buses leaving tomorrow

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
    Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: UC Santa Barbara
    Arrival time: August 8 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
    Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Santa Barbara Station
    Arrival time: August 7 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: UCSD Health La Jolla Station
    Operated by: FlixBusFlixBus
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Santa Barbara Station
    Arrival time: August 7 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: UCSD Health La Jolla Station
    Operated by: FlixBusFlixBus
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Santa Barbara Station
    Arrival time: August 7 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Greyhound Bus Stop
    Operated by: FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    FlixBus + Greyhound Lines, Inc.
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: August 7 at
    Departure city: Santa Barbara
    Departure location: Train Station
    Arrival time: August 8 at
    Destination city: San Diego
    Destination location: Santa Fe Depot
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

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Compare 2 ways to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

Bus
Average Price$32 - $83Average Duration7h 30m
8kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train
Average Price$47 - $274Average Duration6h 15m
27kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
Fastest
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 7 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just $32, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

5bus per day
7h 30mAverage Duration
$32Cheapest ticket
8kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$47
Average bus trip duration7h 30m
Number of daily buses5
Earliest bus departure10:05am
Distance194 miles (312 km)
Latest bus departure9:55pm

Santa Barbara to San Diego Bus

With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.

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

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

Frequently asked questions for your trip Santa Barbara - San Diego, CA, US

Find cheapest prices for buses

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

Best price found
08/04
$51
08/05
$51
Today
$51
08/07
$51
08/08
$51
08/09
$51
08/10
$51
08/11
$48
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on Aug 11, 2025 with a price of $48

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 Diego, CA, US, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $48 to $84 for a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $48 which is on 2025-08-11.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.

Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Santa Barbara to San Diego, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.

Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Santa Barbara to San Diego will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.

Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.

Did you know?

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

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

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.

What's the cheapest way to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US?

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 San Diego, CA, US

You can also go to San Diego, CA, US by train

Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US

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 worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers 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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