The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
- Cheapest price on Nov 11
- €42
- Average ticket price on Nov 11
- €46
- Fastest journey on Nov 11
- 5 h 48 m
- Average journey duration on Nov 11
- 5 h 57 m
- Trains on Nov 11
- 18
- Distance
- 302 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA will cost around €46 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €42.
On Wed, Nov 11, we found 18 trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA, including 18 direct services.
On Wed, Nov 11 the direct trains cover the 302 km distance in an average of 5 h 57 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 48 m .
On Wed, Nov 11 the slowest trains will take 6 h 3 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
790 Pacific Surfliner4:40 PM 6h11 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
782 Pacific Surfliner12:45 PM 6h07 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
790 Pacific Surfliner4:40 PM 6h27 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner3:04 PM 6h03 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner8:49 AM 6h18 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner3:04 PM 5h48 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
794 Pacific Surfliner7:00 PM 5h50 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
770 Pacific Surfliner6:53 AM 5h59 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner3:04 PM 6h03 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner8:49 AM 6h03 Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA run on average 19 times per day, taking around 6h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €40 but you can travel from only €28 by bus.
There are 16 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 03:50, the last at 19:19. The fastest train covers the 302 km distance in 5h 32m.
Distance 302 km |
Average train duration 6h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price €40 |
Trains per day 19 |
Direct trains 16 |
Fastest train 5h 32m |
First train 3:50 AM |
Last train 7:19 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trains for today, Tuesday, November 10. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:39 AM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h28 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:53 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h14 | 1:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:53 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h59 | 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:31 AM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h36 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h03 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h18 | 3:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:15 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 12h49 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:15 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 12h35 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:29 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h38 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:45 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h22 | 7:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:45 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h07 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 2:47 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h20 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 3:04 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h48 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 3:04 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h03 | 9:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 4:25 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h42 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 4:40 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h11 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 4:40 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h27 | 11:07 PM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 6:38 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 6h26 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 7:00 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h50 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 7:00 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h04 | 1:04 AM Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara, CA and San Diego, CA from €28. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
Companies, tickets, and onboard amenities between Santa Barbara, CA and San Diego, CA
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
FAQs: Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
Most Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA trains use the Santa Barbara Station to Santa Fe Depot station pair, with some services arriving at Old Town Station. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and San Diego, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Which Santa Barbara, CA station do trains to San Diego, CA leave from?
Getting to Santa Barbara Station from Santa Barbara city centre
Santa Barbara Station train station facilities and services
Santa Barbara Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: The Lark, Santo Mezcal
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Santa Barbara Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hotel Californian, Harbor View Inn, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.
Getting to Goleta Station from Santa Barbara city centre
Goleta Station is 1 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
Goleta Station train station facilities and services
Goleta Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: The Habit Burger Grill, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Goleta Station. Information desks are located near the platform.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Goleta Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Goleta Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Goleta Station: Ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta.
Which San Diego, CA station do trains from Santa Barbara, CA arrive at?
Getting to Santa Fe Depot from San Diego city centre
Santa Fe Depot is 1 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Fe Depot train station facilities and services
Santa Fe Depot has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: The Fish Market, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Santa Fe Depot. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Santa Fe Depot. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Santa Fe Depot: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Fe Depot: Ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include The Westin San Diego, The Guild Hotel, San Diego, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Diego Bay Downtown.
Getting to Old Town Station from San Diego city centre
Old Town Station is 5 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Old Town Station train station facilities and services
Old Town Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: Casa Guadalajara, Old Town Mexican Cafe
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Old Town Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Old Town Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Old Town Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Old Town Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Old Town Station: Elevators, ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Old Town Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town, Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town.
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to San Diego, CA
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