Getting Around Santa Barbara
Find the best way to access the city from anywhere.
Santa Barbara Airport information
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)
Located just 8 miles northwest of downtown, the Santa Barbara Airport offers nonstop service to Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Dallas, San Francisco, and Seattle, as well as approximately 300 one-stop destinations to everywhere in the world. Arrivals and departures are quick and easy in this comfortable, compact regional airport. A Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District public bus stop is located directly across the street from the terminal, and easy access to ride share and taxi cabs is right out the front door. Car rental desks are located by baggage claim.
Airline carriers serving Santa Barbara Airport:
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
United Airlines
SBA also offers private jet facilities.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport is located about 90 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. Drive time to Santa Barbara is heavily influenced by traffic and can be as quick as 2 hours and during rush hour can grow to 3 or 4 hours. While traffic in Los Angeles can be daunting, the last 40 miles of the drive is very scenic, traveling along the Pacific Ocean. LAX offers flights on virtually every major carrier and is the main hub for United Airlines.
Burbank Hollywood Airport (BUR)
Another Los Angeles regional alternative airport, Burbank Hollywood Airport is 85 miles south of Santa Barbara and served by 7 major carriers, with Southwest having the largest presence. 12 domestic destinations have non-stop service. Burbank Hollywood Airport is also conveniently serviced by Amtrak, with a station located walking distance from the terminal. Car rentals and ample parking is also available.
12 domestic on seven major
Located just 8 miles northwest of downtown, the Santa Barbara Airport offers nonstop service to Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Dallas, San Francisco, and Seattle, as well as approximately 300 one-stop destinations to everywhere in the world. Arrivals and departures are quick and easy in this comfortable, compact regional airport. A Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District public bus stop is located directly across the street from the terminal, and easy access to ride share and taxi cabs is right out the front door. Car rental desks are located by baggage claim.
Airline carriers serving Santa Barbara Airport:
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
United Airlines
SBA also offers private jet facilities.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Los Angeles International Airport is located about 90 miles southeast of Santa Barbara. Drive time to Santa Barbara is heavily influenced by traffic and can be as quick as 2 hours and during rush hour can grow to 3 or 4 hours. While traffic in Los Angeles can be daunting, the last 40 miles of the drive is very scenic, traveling along the Pacific Ocean. LAX offers flights on virtually every major carrier and is the main hub for United Airlines.
Burbank Hollywood Airport (BUR)
Another Los Angeles regional alternative airport, Burbank Hollywood Airport is 85 miles south of Santa Barbara and served by 7 major carriers, with Southwest having the largest presence. 12 domestic destinations have non-stop service. Burbank Hollywood Airport is also conveniently serviced by Amtrak, with a station located walking distance from the terminal. Car rentals and ample parking is also available.
12 domestic on seven major
Santa Barbara Ground Transportation
Navigating the small city of Santa Barbara is easy in private vehicles, using ride share services, or via public transportation. Parking lots are ample in the downtown and waterfront areas, and most offer 75 minutes of free parking.
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) offers daily public bus service via 45 transit routes and 781 stops throughout the Santa Barbara region.
Rental Cars
Santa Barbara Airport features rental car counters for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty. About 40 rental car companies operate out of Los Angeles International, 10 of which can pick up and drop off customers directly from the terminals using courtesy shuttles. These 10 companies include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and Thrifty.
Taxis
Visitors to Santa Barbara passing through Santa Barbara Airport should expect to pay at least $55 in taxi fare from the airport to downtown.
Uber / Lyft
Those using rideshare to travel from Santa Barbara Airport to downtown Santa Barbara can expect to pay between $20 and $35.
Amtrak
The Santa Barbara Amtrak station is serviced by the Pacific Surfliner route, which provides daily service from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, as well as the Coast Starlight route, which runs from Seattle to Los Angeles, passing through the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara and Sacramento
The Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District (MTD) offers daily public bus service via 45 transit routes and 781 stops throughout the Santa Barbara region.
Rental Cars
Santa Barbara Airport features rental car counters for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty. About 40 rental car companies operate out of Los Angeles International, 10 of which can pick up and drop off customers directly from the terminals using courtesy shuttles. These 10 companies include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and Thrifty.
Taxis
Visitors to Santa Barbara passing through Santa Barbara Airport should expect to pay at least $55 in taxi fare from the airport to downtown.
Uber / Lyft
Those using rideshare to travel from Santa Barbara Airport to downtown Santa Barbara can expect to pay between $20 and $35.
Amtrak
The Santa Barbara Amtrak station is serviced by the Pacific Surfliner route, which provides daily service from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, as well as the Coast Starlight route, which runs from Seattle to Los Angeles, passing through the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Barbara and Sacramento
