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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$158
Typical prices: $236-$573
Multiple Airlines
Mon 9/14Sat 9/19
PHX - SBA • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$187
Typical prices: $193-$477
United Airlines
Sat 9/19Mon 9/21
SFO - SBA • Non-stop
Top airlines
Most flights • 76 per week
Best reviews • 8.0 score
Airline reviews
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Top routes
Insights
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Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 11% price drop
Most popular
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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals to Santa Barbara

Mon, Sep 14 - Sat, Sep 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:21 am - 2:47 pmPHX  Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 26m1 stop San Diego
Multiple Airlines Logo
3:26 pm - 8:34 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
5h 08m1 stop San Diego
$158Multiple Airlines
Mon, Sep 14 - Sat, Sep 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:21 am - 2:47 pmPHX  Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 26m1 stop San Diego
Multiple Airlines Logo
3:26 pm - 8:34 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
5h 08m1 stop San Diego
$158Multiple Airlines
Wed, Sep 16 - Fri, Sep 18
Southwest Logo
4:40 pm - 9:25 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
4h 45m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
Southwest Logo
4:40 pm - 11:30 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
6h 50m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$181Southwest
Fri, Sep 11 - Mon, Sep 14
Southwest Logo
6:45 am - 11:55 amSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
5h 10m1 stop San Diego
Southwest Logo
12:30 pm - 4:30 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
4h 00m1 stop San Diego
$181Southwest
Sun, Oct 25 - Wed, Oct 28
United Airlines Logo
6:55 pm - 9:59 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
3h 04m1 stop Los Angeles Los Angeles
United Airlines Logo
4:10 pm - 5:40 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
1h 30mnonstop
$182United Airlines
Sat, Sep 19 - Mon, Sep 21
United Airlines Logo
6:50 pm - 8:11 pmSFO  San Francisco-SBA Santa Barbara
1h 21mnonstop
United Airlines Logo
6:00 am - 7:14 amSBA  Santa Barbara-SFO San Francisco
1h 14mnonstop
$187United Airlines
Tue, Oct 13 - Tue, Oct 27
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:42 pm - 11:47 pmPHX  Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl-SBA Santa Barbara
8h 05m1 stop San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:08 am - 3:00 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
8h 52m1 stop San Diego
$203Alaska Airlines
Tue, Oct 13 - Sat, Oct 24
Alaska Airlines Logo
3:42 pm - 11:47 pmPHX  Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl-SBA Santa Barbara
8h 05m1 stop San Diego
Alaska Airlines Logo
6:08 am - 6:42 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
12h 34m1 stop San Diego
$203Alaska Airlines
Wed, Oct 21 - Wed, Oct 28
Delta Logo
11:05 am - 4:06 pmSEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SBA Santa Barbara
5h 01m1 stop Salt Lake City
Delta Logo
12:40 pm - 7:02 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
6h 22m1 stop Salt Lake City
$267Delta
Tue, Oct 20 - Wed, Oct 28
Delta Logo
9:42 am - 4:06 pmSEA  Seattle/Tacoma Intl-SBA Santa Barbara
6h 24m1 stop Salt Lake City
Delta Logo
12:40 pm - 7:02 pmSBA  Santa Barbara-SEA Seattle/Tacoma Intl
6h 22m1 stop Salt Lake City
$267Delta
Booking Insights

KAYAK's insights & trends for flights to Santa Barbara

Get data-powered insights and trends for flights to Santa Barbara to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more.

What is the cheapest flight to Santa Barbara?

In the last 5 days, the cheapest flight deal to Santa Barbara was found on the route from San Francisco, at $158 return. The most popular connection is from Denver to Santa Barbara and KAYAK users have found round-trip deals for as low as $253 in the last 5 days.

How much is a flight to Santa Barbara?

A flight to Santa Barbara costs $326 on average. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks cost $48 and departed from San Diego. The most popular routes on KAYAK are San Francisco to Santa Barbara which costs $292 on average, and Denver to Santa Barbara, which costs $375 on average.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Santa Barbara?

Based on KAYAK data, the cheapest day to fly to Santa Barbara is Saturday where round-trip tickets can be as cheap as $339. On the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is Sunday, where round-trip prices are $441 on average.

What is the cheapest month to fly to Santa Barbara?

The cheapest month for flights to Santa Barbara is February, where tickets cost $397 on average for return flights. On the other hand, the most expensive months are July and June, where the average cost of tickets from the United States is $500 and $489 respectively. For one-way flights, the best month to travel is September with an average price of $228.

What is a good deal for flights to Santa Barbara?

If you’re looking for cheap airfare to Santa Barbara, 25% of our users found tickets to Santa Barbara for the following prices or less: From San Diego $113 round-trip, from Sacramento $205 round-trip, from Portland $298 round-trip.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight to Santa Barbara

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Chris Dong

Chris Dong

Expert on Hawaiian Airlines

Chris is a consumer travel reporter covering aviation, trending travel news, hotels, and loyalty programs—all for leading global publications like Travel + Leisure, The Washington Post, AFAR, and more. In addition to writing, Chris is a video host for Travel + Leisure, giving consumers an inside look at the latest in air travel.

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on United Airlines and Delta

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

Harriet Baskas

Harriet Baskas

Expert on American Airlines and Alaska Airlines

Harriet is an award-winning journalist who is happiest in an airport or an unusual museum. Her stories about airports, air travel, and the business of travel have appeared on NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, The Points Guy and other outlets. She is the creator of the StuckatTheAirport.com blog and the author of nine books. When not out on the road or exploring the latest airport amenities, she’s home in Seattle getting ready for the next adventure.

Good to know - Book Cheap Santa Barbara Plane Tickets

Low season

January

Cheapest flight

$59
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 11% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 2% lower on average.
Flight from San Francisco to Santa Barbara

When to book flights to Santa Barbara

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel to Santa Barbara based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

FAQs - booking Santa Barbara flights

  • Can I use public transportation to go from Santa Barbara Airport to the city’s downtown?

    If you would like to use public transportation to travel from Santa Barbara Airport to the city center, it is best to take the local bus. You will find a public bus stop on Moffett Road directly across from the Arrivals terminal, and this line will take you to State Street. One-way tickets cost $1.75.

  • Which hotels are closest to Santa Barbara Airport?

    For travelers wishing to stay in a casual hotel, select the Hampton Inn, which is less than 2 miles from Santa Barbara Airport and 12 miles from the popular El Capitan State Beach. To have a more luxurious experience, book a room with the 4-star Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, which is a 20-minute drive from the airport and is directly across the street from East Beach.

  • Does Santa Barbara Airport have any complimentary phones for travelers?

    If you need to make a call to a local number, head to the Arrivals terminal of Santa Barbara Airport in order to use one of the TDD Courtesy Phones. These phones can call all local numbers for free, and they can also connect you with an operator.

  • Is there anywhere to smoke at Santa Barbara Airport?

    Santa Barbara Airport prides itself on being completely smoke-free, meaning that you will not find any smoking rooms inside of its terminals. If you need to smoke a cigarette or use a smoking device, you will have to leave the main building and stand a minimum of 50 feet from its doors.

  • Which flight options do I have from Seattle to Santa Barbara?

    For passengers flying from Seattle to Santa Barbara, consider flying with a direct or connecting flight. If you are hurrying to Santa Barbara, consider flying with Alaska Airlines since they offer direct flights to SBA. For passengers who want flights with one layover stop, consider flying with Southwest Airlines, American, or United.

  • Which cities in the United States offer direct flights to Santa Barbara?

    Various cities in the United States offer direct flights to Santa Barbara Airport. For instance, those in Phoenix (PHX) and Dallas (DFW) can board American Airlines, while those in Las Vegas (LAS), Denver (DEN), and Oakland (OAK) can fly with Southwest Airlines. Additionally, you can board United Airlines in San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX).

  • Which services does Santa Barbara Airport offer to passengers with disabilities?

    Santa Barbara Airport ensures passengers flying into and from the airport have a great experience. The airport provides passengers with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program to help those with disabilities. SBA also allows passengers with disabilities to be accompanied by a service animal. There is also a relief area for service animals outside the north entrance of the terminal.

  • Which means of transport is more convenient for those who want to explore Santa Barbara?

    Passengers who want to enjoy the freedom of driving in Santa Barbara should consider renting a car at Santa Barbara Airport. You will find various car rental providers at the rental center at the arrivals terminal near the baggage claim. These providers include National, Avis, Hertz, and Budget.

  • What is the cheapest flight to Santa Barbara?

    In the last 5 days, the cheapest flight deal to Santa Barbara was found on the route from San Francisco, at $158 return. The most popular connection is from Denver to Santa Barbara and KAYAK users have found round-trip deals for as low as $253 in the last 5 days.

  • How far is Santa Barbara Airport from central Santa Barbara?

    You’ll need to travel 8 miles to reach the Santa Barbara city center from Santa Barbara Airport.

  • What is the name of Santa Barbara’s airport?

    There is only 1 airport in Santa Barbara, called Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). It can also be referred to as Santa Barbara or Santa Barbara Municipal.

  • How much is a flight to Santa Barbara?

    On average, a flight to Santa Barbara costs $326. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks cost $48 and departed from San Diego Airport.

  • How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to Santa Barbara?

    KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Santa Barbara.

  • How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to Santa Barbara?

    KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Santa Barbara is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

  • What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to Santa Barbara?

    Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Santa Barbara with an airline and back with another airline.

  • What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Santa Barbara?

    Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Santa Barbara up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Santa Barbara

  • Looking for cheap airfare to Santa Barbara? 25% of our users found round-trip tickets to Santa Barbara for the following prices or less: From San Diego $83, from Chicago O'Hare Intl $312, from Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl $491
  • Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Santa Barbara flight deals.
  • If you have a question about the city or some of the airport’s amenities, stop by the Visitor Information Desk in the baggage claim of Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). This desk is run by Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce volunteers who will provide you with recommendations for what to see in the area as well as free maps.
  • Santa Barbara Airport is known for being small and easy to navigate, meaning that only several major airlines provide direct flights to this location. If you want to ensure that you do not have a layover and are only looking at direct flights to Santa Barbara, book your reservation with Alaska, American, Frontier, or United Airlines.
  • Having a friend or family member meet you after your flight to Santa Barbara has landed? Tell them that they can wait for you in the free Cell Phone Lot that is located off of James Fowler Road near the WWII Memorial. Once you have picked up your luggage they can come pick you up from the Arrivals terminal.
  • To rent a car from Santa Barbara Airport, go to the rental car center next to the baggage claim in the Arrivals terminal. You will find desks for 7 major companies including Budget, Hertz, and National. Thrifty also has an off-site office that is just a 3-minute drive from the airport’s main terminal.
  • For travelers that are art enthusiasts, don’t forget to enjoy the various exhibits that are located in the entrances and exits of the main building of Santa Barbara Airport. You will find several different statues, paintings, and photographs, all of which were done by local artists.
  • For those who arrive late at Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), you can spend the night at a nearby hotel. These hotels include Residence Inn Santa Barbara Goleta, Hampton Inn Santa Barbara, and Super 8 Santa Barbara. To get to the hotels, passengers can hire a taxi or drive a car rental from the airport.
  • Breastfeeding mothers arriving at Santa Barbara who need a private place to pump or breastfeed their babies can use the Mamava pod beyond the security checkpoint on the second floor. Breastfeeding women can use the Mamava app to access these units.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to Santa Barbara

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with to Santa Barbara? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
8.0
SouthwestOverall score based on 4217 reviews
8.6Crew
7.5Entertainment
8.1Boarding
8.0Comfort
7.0Food
Airline reviews

Seated at front bulkhead for a smidge extra leg room away from home and on flight back home. Away crew was very proactive about assuring our carryons had space close behind us (because no seat in front of us our personal items had to be in a small bin overhead). They actively required passengers place overhead luggage on its side so more items could fit in bins. Home crew made no such efforts. I had to struggle back rows to get overhead bags upon landing, no crew help then either, and some disgruntled passengers as I and others retrieved our bags. There was a system that worked pretty well. The home bound crew just didn't feel like working.

4.0 OkayMather, Aug 2026
Read more Southwest reviews

Seated at front bulkhead for a smidge extra leg room away from home and on flight back home. Away crew was very proactive about assuring our carryons had space close behind us (because no seat in front of us our personal items had to be in a small bin overhead). They actively required passengers place overhead luggage on its side so more items could fit in bins. Home crew made no such efforts. I had to struggle back rows to get overhead bags upon landing, no crew help then either, and some disgruntled passengers as I and others retrieved our bags. There was a system that worked pretty well. The home bound crew just didn't feel like working.

Flight left on time and was early landing. Seats not comfortable and not enough space…

It would have been better if the flight was on time

No wifi, seems to be very common with Southwest currently. Everything else was normal.

Poor customer service, no accommodation for passengers when the flight was delayed over 5 hours.

The flight was late. The crew was rude. There was no food. Cramped and uncomfortable. Nothing about this flight was good.

It was just okay, no frills, basic transportation with no luxury. No screens on the seats, no water or drinks on a short flight. Full flight but at least it was on time.

The first time I flew in the extra legroom section. It was difficult to notice a difference. I had bad luck with my neighbors. The crew was okay. Southwest has reduced the live TV options.

This leg was much better, but we did have to have a 3 hour lay o er after coming from a very exhausting hiccup with our flight from BNA to Den

Crew was great but because of fog they diverted us to Ontario instead of our Santa Barbara destination. Instead of cancelling the flight as soon as we landed in Ontario, they instead held us in Ontario for almost 4 hours before cancelling the flight. I had to rent a car in Ontario to get back to ventura on time to get an elderly relative his medication and take over his caretaking… otherwise if I had taken the buses you offered from Ontario I wouldn’t have even arrived to Santa Barbara till at least midnight (according to southwest airlines employees at Ontario), and then would have had to drive back down to ventura. At least renting the car I could get up to ventura by 10 pm to take care of my loved one.

I am truely disappointed in the delays. I have been flying Alaska Airlines for years and years and have always had the most amazing experiences. Not what has happened with being on time. Flying from SAN to PDX delayed. Then .PRX to SAN delayed,

Was very easy to board but when you get to the confirmation board it was too high for me to see even with my glasses so I just hoped that I was lead to the right gate and waited for boarding.

Flight cancelled originally with no email informing me of the change. Rebooked for the next day and that flight was delayed with no update on the app.

The crew at the airport and in flight were excellent, the seats were a bit cramped but I am tall so maybe someone shorter wouldn’t care. Not many food options unless you know to pre-order. I would definitely fly them again but would pay for emergency row and bring food. Flight was perfect, arrived a little early.

Pretty good flight. Airport lounge was dirty, crowded, and noisy.

A refund because I never got on any you guys never canceled it in the first place

They removed the cover off my checked bag and threw it away.

On time, good seats, not overly full, up beast positive crew.

Check-in was easy, I did it from the app. Boarding was easy, the crew was great. Santa Barbara airport had a disabled plane so we had to land in Burbank to refuel. They kept us well informed, and everyone was great. A very entertaining person from the Burbank airport got on and told a few jokes.

Had to show boarding pass twice. Otherwise flight was excellent.

The experience was bad. Flight was delayed to handle maintenance (understandable) but still there was some dew forming and dropping as droplets on few seats. Internet at best was allowing some browsing but at a snail pace.

Both of my flights to and from JFK experienced significant delays. Most notably, my first flight was delayed by six hours due to crew members being affected by delays on a previous flight. While I understand that disruptions can occur, Delta’s staffing and operational planning should include sufficient contingency measures to handle situations like this rather than placing the full burden of those delays on customers. Additionally, the $12 meal voucher offered as compensation was inadequate, particularly given the high cost of food and beverages at the airport. Considering the length of the delay and the substantial inconvenience caused, I believe more meaningful compensation would have been appropriate.

Comfortable seats. Nice service online. Short flight, so not a lot of time to enjoy.

The flight was done by SkyWest only WIFI no entertainment center are available on the CRJ

Delta is always late. Ruined our first day of a short vacation. Timing is important. We pay to stay on an itinerary

We never made it on this flight because we missed our connection due to o delayed flight from Jackson.

We got stuck on the tarmac taxiing after landing early so we didn’t get off the plane until an hour later than we thought we would

It was okay. We were delayed for weather reasons, but the pilots and the flight control staff figured a way around the storm and were able to get us to Los Angeles safely. Not all the staff members were polite, but the entertainment on the flight was good.

Crew was real good, flight was smooth and came in early.

Love me some Delta. One of the few airlines to recognize and support veterans. Easy boarding, flight was on time and arrived early and the flight attendants were excellent on this flight.

The app logs you out right when you are boarding requiring all passwords and reservation number for the flight. Super annoying

The pre-order only approach for fresh food is really challenging

the seat has a problem. the back had a hole.

Old 757 with poor entertainment system. United no longer partners with United for free text and email. O'Hara an absolute disaster! Limited gates clauses two hour delay. Unfortunately this appears to be the norm.

The SFO lounge closes at 12 midnight. My flight took off at 2AM

Delayed 2 hours while stuck on the aircraft. If the luggage was properly loaded the first time we probably wouldn’t have been delayed at all

Flight be on time would be a good start. Then train your flight attendants to be attentive and friendly. This time they completely forgot my row for the measly snack! United, do better!

It was a short, comfortable flight. It did leave an hour late due to the pilot having to be replaced (family emergency) but that didn’t inconvenience myself & my friend. The situation was explained, eventually.

Great experience…left a bit behind schedule but made up fir that in the air and landed 10 minutes early 😁

Serving a coffr Or a Drink would have been nice.

I have to sit in the middle for more than five hours because the first flight was delayed. Terrible experience. No more American Airlines.

The boarding process was slow and we had a delay on the tarmac, not the fault of the airline. They had ZERO food options available for purchase which shouldn't happen.

Once again the staff of American Airlines is kind, helpful, efficient, and professional.

Awful! We boarded and then sat on the plane for 50 mins before having to deplane due to a maintenance issue which should have been addressed before boarding. Then we had to change terminals as there was no other plane for us at the current terminal. Then we waited another 2 and a half hours to board again only to wait for 50 mins on the plane again for the snacks to be brought from the broken plane. And once we were on the flight we still only got the complimentary cookie and soda or water. No food vouchers provided even though we had waited over 3 hours for our flight.

Our experience with American Airlines was extremely disappointing and honestly made an already exhausting international journey much worse. After flying all the way from Melbourne and dealing with significant jet lag, the American Airlines experience at LAX was the last thing we needed. The terminal and boarding area felt very old and uncomfortable, with little to no air conditioning and only old fans running in the area. Boarding was also through outdoor stairs rather than a jet bridge, which felt especially inconvenient after such a long journey. Even though we were traveling First Class, the onboard experience was surprisingly poor. There were no meaningful snack options, no decent coffee available to order, and the aircraft was so small that there was barely enough overhead space for carry-on luggage. The staff experience was also disappointing and lacked the warmth or attentiveness we had experienced on our international flights. To make matters worse, the flight departed late, extending an already very long travel day. Overall, the combination of the outdated terminal, uncomfortable boarding process, limited First Class service, small aircraft, poor staff experience, and delay made this an extremely unpleasant final leg of our journey. It significantly worsened our exhaustion and jet lag rather than making the connection home easier. Unfortunately, this experience was bad enough that I do not plan to travel with American Airlines again in the future.

No food. I paid over $1.000 for my ticket for nuts and espresso beans.

My flight in Dallas had maintenance issues. Which caused us to missed our connecting flight in LA. We had to stay overnight in Los Angeles. American Airlines booked us a hotel. The hotel was the Holiday Inn. It was horrible. The whole hotel smelled like weed and there were people rambling all night long up and down the hallways. The carpets in the hallway and the room has stains. There was dirt on the floor. It was so nasty that I slept in my clothes.

Great. Clean. Seats comfortable. Food was free. Had new release movies.

Delayed flight that lead to a missed connection and a 5-hour trip became a 12-hour flight 🙄

Don’t fly American. Do anything you can to avoid it

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