There are 6 ways to get from San Rafael to Santa Barbara by bus, plane, bus (Flixbus), train (Amtrak), car, or bus (Amtrak)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus to San Francisco International Airport, fly
best- Take the bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Hwy 101 @ Seminary Dr Bus Pad
- Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)SFO - SBA
4h 54m$63–303Bus via San Francisco (Flixbus)
cheapest- Take the bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus StopFlixBus 2005
8h 20m$48–150Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Oakland to Santa BarbaraCoast Starlight
11h 24m$73–153Drive 336.1 mi
- Drive from San Rafael to Santa Barbara336.1 mi
6h 6m$62–89Bus to Oakland International Airport, fly
- Take the bus from San Rafael to Oakland International Airport
- Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)OAK - SBA
4h 21m$67–354Bus (Amtrak)
- Take the bus from San Francisco to Santa BarbaraAmtrak Thruway Connecting Service
10h 2m
San Rafael to Santa Barbara by bus (Flixbus)
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Rafael to Santa Barbara is to drive which costs $60 - $90 and takes 6h 6m.
The fastest way to get from San Rafael to Santa Barbara is to bus and fly which takes 4h 21m and costs $65 - $360.
No, there is no direct bus from San Rafael to Santa Barbara. However, there are services departing from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A and arriving at Santa Barbara Bus Stop via 4th St & Market St and San Francisco. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 20m.
The distance between San Rafael and Santa Barbara is 305 miles. The road distance is 338 miles.
The best way to get from San Rafael to Santa Barbara without a car is to bus via San Francisco which takes 8h 20m and costs $45 - $150.
It takes approximately 4h 54m to get from San Rafael to Santa Barbara, including transfers.
San Rafael to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from San Francisco station.
The best way to get from San Rafael to Santa Barbara is to bus via San Francisco which takes 8h 20m and costs $45 - $150. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $70 - $160 and takes 11h 24m.
San Rafael to Santa Barbara bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Santa Barbara Bus Stop station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Rafael to Santa Barbara is 338 miles. It takes approximately 6h 6m to drive from San Rafael to Santa Barbara.
What companies run services between San Rafael, CA, USA and Santa Barbara, CA, USA?
Flixbus USA operates a bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Stop 4 times a week. Tickets cost $40–140 and the journey takes 6h 20m. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Oakland to Santa Barbara once daily. Tickets cost $65–140 and the journey takes 9h 3m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Francisco International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 14m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $40–270
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Oakland International Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–300
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Oakland to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 3m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $65–140
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 415-455-2000
- info@marintransit.org
- Website
- marintransit.org
Bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Hwy 101 @ Seminary Dr Bus Pad
- Ave. Duration
- 11 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- https://marintransit.org
- Seniors 65+, Youth 5-18.
- $1
- Adults 19-64
- $2
- Phone
- +1 415-921-5858
- bridgecomments@goldengate.org
- Website
- goldengate.org
Bus from San Rafael Transit Center-Platform A to Hwy 101 @ Seminary Dr Bus Pad
- Ave. Duration
- 10 min
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $5–7
- Website
- https://www.goldengate.org/
- Adult
- $5–7
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara Bus Stop
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 20m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $40–140
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Phone
- +1 707-837-8700
- Website
- groometransportation.com
Bus from San Rafael to Oakland International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $21–55
- Website
- https://groometransportation.com/sonoma-county/
- First Passenger
- $21–55
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Bus from San Francisco to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
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.
Related travel guides
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
There are 303+ hotels available in Santa Barbara.










