CA → CA · about 81 miles
San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara bus & train schedule
American Star Tours, Amtrak and FlixBus run 43 direct buses and trains a week from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara. The fastest takes 1 hour 45 minutes; the first departure leaves at 6:11 AM and the last at 10:15 PM.
Timetable data from · No schedule changes since at least
- Buses and trains a week
- 43
- Fastest trip
- 1h 45m
- First departure
- 6:11 AM
- Last departure
- 10:15 PM
Timetable
Times are local to each stop. Timetables published by tds.ai, refreshed October 15, 2026. Schedules change, so check times when you book.
| Departs | Arrives | Duration | Days | Stops | Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:11 AM | 8:46 AM | 2h 35m | Daily | San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara | Amtrak Full timetable |
| 12:00 PM | 1:45 PM | 1h 45m | Mon–Thu | San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara Avenue to Santa Barbara Bus Stop | FlixBus Full timetable |
| 12:15 PM | 3:01 PM | 2h 46m | Daily | San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara | Amtrak Full timetable |
| 1:45 PM | 4:45 PM | 3h 00m | Thu, Fri | San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to Santa Barbara | American Star Tours Full timetable |
| 3:25 PM | 6:25 PM | 3h 00m | Sat & Sun | San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to Santa Barbara | American Star Tours Full timetable |
| 3:37 PM | 6:12 PM | 2h 35m | Daily | San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara | Amtrak Full timetable |
| 4:17 PM | 6:57 PM | 2h 40m | Daily | San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara | Amtrak Full timetable |
| 9:50 PM | 12:30 AM +1 day | 2h 40m | Sat & Sun | San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to Santa Barbara | American Star Tours Full timetable |
| 10:15 PM | 12:55 AM +1 day | 2h 40m | Mon–Fri | San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to Santa Barbara | American Star Tours Full timetable |
Route map
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Where to board in San Luis Obispo Where you get off in Santa Barbara The route of the busiest trip
Where to board in San Luis Obispo
Where buses and trains stop in Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara Bus Stop Map of Santa Barbara Bus Stop (Google Maps)
Return trip: Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
Questions
How long is the bus or train from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The fastest direct bus or train takes 1 hour 45 minutes; the typical trip is 2 hours 40 minutes.
What time is the first departure from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
The earliest departure is at 6:11 AM (Daily) and the last at 10:15 PM (Mon–Fri).
Which bus and rail companies go from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara?
American Star Tours, Amtrak and FlixBus run direct buses and trains on this route.
Where do I board in San Luis Obispo?
Buses and trains to Santa Barbara leave from San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (Amtrak) and San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara Avenue.