There are 5 ways to get from Santa Barbara to Tecate by bus (Flixbus), train, bus, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivals
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to Cross Border Express, San Diego
- Take the bus from Tijuana International Airport to Tecate
7h 41m$993–2,016Drive 401.9 km
cheapest- Drive from Santa Barbara to Tecate401.9 km
4h 33m$837–1,209Train, bus
- Take the train from Santa Barbara to San Diego Old Town Transportation CenterPacific Surfliner
- Take the bus from El Cajon Transit Center to Sr 188 & Tecate Mart894
8h 58m$846–2,231Fly, bus
- Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)SBA - SAN
- Take the bus from Tijuana International Airport to Tecate
6h 18m$1,229–6,722Bus via San Diego
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Airport to Los Angeles Airport, CA
- Take the bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diego
- Take the bus from El Cajon Transit Center to Sr 188 & Tecate Mart894
10h 51m$2,399–4,007
Santa Barbara to Tecate by train, tram, and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Barbara to Tecate is to drive which costs $800 - $1300 and takes 4h 33m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Barbara to Tecate is to drive which takes 4h 33m and costs $800 - $1300.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Barbara to Tecate. However, there are services departing from Santa Barbara Bus Stop and arriving at Tecate via Alameda / Los Angeles, Los Angeles and Tijuana International Airport. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 41m.
The distance between Santa Barbara and Tecate is 416 km. The road distance is 401.9 km.
The best way to get from Santa Barbara to Tecate without a car is to bus which takes 7h 41m and costs $950 - $2100.
It takes approximately 7h 41m to get from Santa Barbara to Tecate, including transfers.
Santa Barbara to Tecate bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Santa Barbara Bus Stop station.
Santa Barbara to Tecate bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Los Angeles Union Station Arrivals.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Barbara to Tecate is 402 km. It takes approximately 4h 33m to drive from Santa Barbara to Tecate.
There are nine+ hotels available in Tecate.
What companies run services between Santa Barbara, CA, USA and Tecate, Mexico?
You can take a bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Tecate via Los Angeles Union Station Arrivals, Alameda / Los Angeles, Spring / 7th, Los Angeles, Cross Border Express, San Diego, and Tijuana International Airport in around 7h 41m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
- Website
- alaskaair.com
Flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Diego International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 4m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $850–6,000
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego Old Town Transportation Center
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $750–1,900
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Station Arrivals
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $340–950
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
Bus from Los Angeles to Cross Border Express, San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $550–800
- Schedules at
- crossborderxpress.com
- Phone
- +52 664 104 7400
- servicioalcliente@geb.mx
- Website
- abc.com.mx
Bus from Tijuana International Airport to Tecate
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–250
- Schedules at
- abc.com.mx
- Book at
- abc.com.mx
- Phone
- +1 619-233-3004
- Website
- sdmts.com
Bus from El Cajon Transit Center to Sr 188 & Tecate Mart
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $45–95
- Website
- https://www.sdmts.com
- Schedules at
- https://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/departures-and-schedules
- One Way - Adult/Youth
- $45–95
- Phone
- +1 800-470-8818
- cclax@cclax.com
- Website
- centralcoastshuttle.com
Bus from Santa Barbara Airport to Los Angeles Airport, CA
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 32m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $1,300–1,600
- Website
- https://www.centralcoastshuttle.com
- one way non-prepaid
- $1,400–1,600
- One-way prepaid 48 hours advance
- $1,300–1,500
- Phone
- (858) 430-8440
- contact@gorelaxsan.com
- Website
- gorelaxsan.com
Bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 35m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Website
- https://www.gorelaxsan.com/
- Phone
- (323)-776-5467
- hello@laxlinq.com
- Website
- laxlinq.com
Bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $1,000–2,000
- Website
- https://laxlinq.com/
Want to know more about travelling around Mexico
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















