There are 5 ways to get from Chicago to Montecito by plane, train (Amtrak), bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport
best- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane ORD - SBA
9h 20m$114–479Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain Southwest Chief
- Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Santa Barbaratrain Pacific Surfliner
47h 25m$1,312–2,008Bus, drive
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Denver Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Las Vegas Bus Terminalbus
- Take the bus from Las Vegas Bus Terminal to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivalsbus
- Drive from Canoga Station to Montecitocar
47h 55m$366–554Drive 2,081.1 mi
- Drive from Chicago to Montecitocar 2,081.1 mi
33h 6m$380–549Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane MDW - SBA
10h 33m$164–709
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Chicago to Montecito is to fly which costs $110 - $480 and takes 9h 20m.
The fastest way to get from Chicago to Montecito is to fly which takes 9h 20m and costs $110 - $480.
No, there is no direct train from Chicago station to Montecito. However, there are services departing from Chicago Union Station and arriving at Santa Barbara via Fullerton Amtrak Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 47h 25m.
The distance between Chicago and Montecito is 1843 miles. The road distance is 2093.2 miles.
The best way to get from Chicago to Montecito without a car is to train which takes 47h 25m and costs $1,300 - $2,100.
It takes approximately 9h 20m to get from Chicago to Montecito, including transfers.
Chicago to Montecito train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Chicago Union Station.
The best way to get from Chicago to Montecito is to fly which takes 9h 20m and costs $110 - $480. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $1,300 - $2,100 and takes 47h 25m.
Montecito is 2h behind Chicago. It is currently 6:39 PM in Chicago and 4:39 PM in Montecito.
Chicago to Montecito train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Fullerton Amtrak Station.
What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Montecito, CA, USA?
United Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, Inc. fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) every 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to Montecito via Fullerton Amtrak Station and Santa Barbara in around 47h 25m.
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Las Vegas
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 59m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–700
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 40m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $160–700
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Oakland
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $180–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 8m
- When
- Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Sacramento
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 15m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $180–750
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 50m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–470
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 33m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–470
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 4m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $110–470
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via Phoenix
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–480
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport via San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–750
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Fullerton Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 42h 44m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $1,200–1,900
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $70–110
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Denver Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $180–270
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Denver Union Station to Las Vegas Bus Terminal
- Ave. Duration
- 15h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130–200
- Website
- Greyhound
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Las Vegas Bus Terminal to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivals
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $40–65
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Chicago to Montecito is 2093 miles. It takes approximately 33h 6m to drive from Chicago to Montecito.
Book your Chicago to Montecito train tickets online with Omio.
There are 273+ hotels available in Montecito.









