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How to get fromChicago to Santa Barbaraby plane, train, bus, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), or car

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There are 8 ways to get from Chicago to Santa Barbara by plane, train, bus, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), 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.

  1. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane ORD - SBA
    7h 39m
    $144–657

  2. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los Angelestrain train Southwest Chief / ...
    2. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus FlixBus 2005
    46h 47m
    $652–1,393

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus bus
    2d 2h
    $365–743

  4. Drive 2,084.2 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Santa Barbaracar car 2,084.2 mi
    33h 10m
    $381–550

  5. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)plane plane MDW - SBA
    8h 50m
    $214–907

  6. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane MDW - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    10h 28m
    $188–783

  7. Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane plane ORD - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain train
    10h 53m
    $148–513

  8. Fly Chicago Midway International Airport to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, train

    1. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR)plane plane MDW - BUR
    2. Take the train from Van Nuys to Santa Barbaratrain train
    10h 23m
    $362–1,569

Chicago to Santa Barbara by train, foot, and bus

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration46h 47mAverage Duration
Ticket$652Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Chicago, IL, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?

United Airlines, American Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Chicago Bus Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stop via St Louis Bus Station and Los Angeles Union Station in around 2d 2h.

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