Busbud recommends taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego
Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach San Diego. The journey takes about 7 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just $35, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.
5bus per day
7h 30mAverage Duration
$35Cheapest ticket
7kgCO₂ emissions
Bus Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US: Trip Overview
Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.
Greyhound Santa Barbara San Diego recent customer reviews
Santa Barbara station does not have bathrooms. San Diego station is outdoors, no heating from 1 am to 5 am.
2 out of 5 stars
Jose V.
The service was horrible. I will never take more buses to travel. So manu delays. I was traveling for 12 hours from Santa Bárbara to Dan Diego and it was like I was coming from Spain.. I don not recommend that to anyone. So please, be more carefully with the timelines. People's time is important
Based on 5418 reviews, the company was rated 4.1 stars on Busbud. Travelers were especially satisfied with the seats and the ticket access but often complained with the wifi. Amtrak ticket prices on this trip start at $54
Greyhound Santa Barbara San Diego recent customer reviews
Santa Barbara station does not have bathrooms. San Diego station is outdoors, no heating from 1 am to 5 am.
2 out of 5 stars
Jose V.
The service was horrible. I will never take more buses to travel. So manu delays. I was traveling for 12 hours from Santa Bárbara to Dan Diego and it was like I was coming from Spain.. I don not recommend that to anyone. So please, be more carefully with the timelines. People's time is important
With Busbud, comparing and booking tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego is a breeze. Browse through an extensive selection of bus fares and bus schedules to find the best deals.
Bus service from Santa Barbara to San Diego will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.
Discover how much the bus trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.
Where are the popular stops in Santa Barbara and San Diego?
Stops in Santa Barbara
A - Train Station
224 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101Train Station
Frequently asked questions for your trip Santa Barbara - San Diego, CA, US
What is the travel distance from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The distance between the two cities is 188 miles (303 km).
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego?
The majority of buses traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego start their journey at Train Station and wind up at Mission Valley Sheraton. These are the primary departure and arrival locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.
What are the best sights and things to do in San Diego?
Once in San Diego, you can start exploring the city and discover its surroundings. The top sights and things to do are The Gaslamp Quarter, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, Botanical Building and Lily Pond, San Diego Bay Waterfront and Old Town.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
08/22
$51
08/23
$51
Today
$51
08/25
$34
08/26
$31
08/27
$28
08/28
$41
08/29
$51
The cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on Aug 27, 2025 with a price of $28
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from $28 to $72 for a bus ticket from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $28 which is on 2025-08-27.
Usually Amtrak will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
About Bus Travel
Bus Travel Tips
Meet and talk to locals at the bus stations while traveling from Santa Barbara to San Diego.There is no better way to get inside travel information while exploring a new city than to go straight to its people.
Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Santa Barbara to San Diego, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.
Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Santa Barbara to San Diego will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.
Tune out to the fine sounds of your best music playlist on your bus trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego while indulging in miles on end of beautiful scenic views.
Did you know?
The bus driver with the longest career in the world drove more than 2,000,000 miles and is a happy World Record holder.
The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!
It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.
What's the cheapest way to go from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US?
The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worldwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. With several language and currency options available, Busbud seeks to cater to international bus travelers no matter where they are in the world. Busbud partners with safe and reliable bus companies throughout the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others so you can buy tickets without a worry.
Busbud recommends taking the bus from Santa Barbara to San Diego
The cheapest trip from Santa Barbara to San Diego, CA, US was searched and found on Aug 27, 2025 with a price of $28
The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination
