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

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

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)planeORD - SBA
    7h 47m
    $114–557

  2. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Los AngelestrainSouthwest Chief / ...
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa BarbaratrainPacific Surfliner / ...
    47h 8m
    $233–1,643

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
    2. Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
    3. Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Santa Barbara Bus Stopbus
    2d 1h
    $175–594

  4. Drive 2,084.2 mi

    1. Drive from Chicago to Santa Barbaracar2,084.2 mi
    32h 58m
    $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)planeMDW - SBA
    8h 58m
    $154–707

  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)planeMDW - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain
    10h 57m
    $154–639

  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)planeORD - LAX
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Santa Barbaratrain
    11h 17m
    $128–499

  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)planeMDW - BUR
    2. Take the train from Van Nuys to Santa Barbaratrain
    10h 26m
    $192–871

Chicago to Santa Barbara by train (Amtrak)

Calendar10Weekly Trains
Duration47h 8mAverage Duration
Ticket$233Cheapest 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 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train from Chicago Union Station to Santa Barbara via Los Angeles in around 47h 8m.

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