£924 Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara

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Cheap round-trip flights to Santa Barbara

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at £924 for one-way flights and £534 for round trip, for the period specified. Be sure to select the 'Direct flights only' box above if you are looking for a non stop route. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

British Airways
American Airlines
American Airlines
Austrian Airlines
United

Located a hundred miles north of LA, Santa Barbara is a popular stop off if you’re driving along the west coast of California. There are no direct flights from the UK to Santa Barbara, but it's an easy hop on a domestic flight from both LA and San Francisco.

Visiting Santa Barbara County from the UK

Travelling from the UK, there are cheap flights from a number of well-known international airlines into California's main airports. Santa Barbara County has two airports, Santa Barbara Airport in Goleta, eight miles from downtown Santa Barbara, and Santa Ynez Airport, a small, non-commercial airport 35 miles north of Santa Barbara.

Flying into Santa Barbara Airport

Santa Barbara Airport is a straightforward connection from San Francisco International Airport and LAX. It's a 50-minute flight from LAX or 75 minutes via San Francisco on carriers including United Airlines and American Airlines. There are also direct connections between Santa Barbara and Dallas, Denver, Portland and Seattle airports. Santa Barbara is seven hours behind GMT.

From the airport, you can get an easy transfer into downtown Santa Barbara and the city's beaches. Hop on a public bus from outside the terminal and it’ll take you an hour to reach State Street, while the pricier airport shuttle services get you there slightly quicker. An alternative option to a connecting flight is the Santa Barbara Airbus, which offers 16 services a day between Santa Barbara Airport and LAX.

Santa Barbara's Highlights

The chic palm-lined city of Santa Barbara has stacks of attractions from historic 18th-century Spanish missions and designer shopping malls to miles of unblemished white sandy beaches.

Make time to see the city's iconic Mission Santa Barbara, just north of downtown, Stearns Wharf, a historic wooden pier lined with seafood restaurants, or head to the sleepy surf town of Carpinteria, home to some of California's best surf beaches. North of Santa Barbara is the Santa Ynez Valley, which is famous for its top-class wineries.

Wherever you fly to in Santa Barbara County, use Expedia to choose from a range of hotels, inns, motels and B&Bs, from budget friendly to luxury five-star beach resorts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the name of Santa Barbara's airport?
If you’re arriving by plane, you won’t have to decide which airport to choose. Santa Barbara has just one – Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA).
How far is SBA from central Santa Barbara?
SBA is 8 mi from downtown Santa Barbara, so be prepared for a bit of a commute into the city centre.
What airport is best to fly into Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara Airport is the only major airport in Santa Barbara. Before your flight, it’s a smart idea to research a thing or two about it. The terminal is situated 8 mi from the centre of town.
How many airlines fly to Santa Barbara?
You’ll discover 4 air carriers that operate on the route to Santa Barbara. These fly in from at least 11 airports worldwide.
Which airlines fly to Santa Barbara?
United Airlines and Southwest Airlines offer the majority of flights to Santa Barbara. One of the most common ways to travel there is with a United Airlines flight from Denver.
How many nonstop flights are there to Santa Barbara?
Flying to someplace new is much easier when there aren’t any lengthy stopovers. If you’re making your way to Santa Barbara, the awesome news is that there are around 225 direct flights operating every week.
Where are the most popular flights to Santa Barbara departing from?
Flights to Santa Barbara departing from San Francisco, Denver and Phoenix airports are the most sought after.
How long is the flight to Santa Barbara Airport?
Which airport you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you’ll get to enjoy. From San Francisco to Santa Barbara, the average flight time is 1 hour and 11 minutes. From Denver it’s typically 2 hours and 46 minutes, and from Phoenix it’s 1 hour and 40 minutes.
How to book the cheapest flight to Santa Barbara?
We’ve all come across those lucky jet-setters who manage to nab incredibly cheap fares whenever they fly. Would you like to know how to do it for your Santa Barbara holiday? Don’t wait until the very last minute to secure your flight. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and see if there are multiple airports at your destination. Ticket prices often differ depending on the airport you go for. Make sure you compare fares across air carriers too. Last of all, be ready to lock in your seat quickly if you find a real bargain. It might not be available for too long. With a bit of know-how and some luck, the perfect fare will be yours.
How to survive the flight to Santa Barbara?
Wherever you’re coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you’re well organised. Take a peek at these handy travel tips that will help get your Santa Barbara holiday started on the right foot.What to pack in your hand luggage:

  • The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to pack ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and medications. Next, bring on board items that’ll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a good book. It’s also smart to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don’t forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

  • Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, flares and matches, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

  • The best way to ensure a comfortable flight often lies in your choice of clothes. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up. This will keep you nice and warm if the cabin begins to cool down. Shoes like high heels and sandals are best left in your checked suitcase. Instead, go for flat, closed-toed footwear like slip-ons. Your feet will thank you for it.
  • Most of us have heard about DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot condition caused by reduced mobility or inactivity. There are numerous ways to reduce your risk. Wear a quality pair of compression socks or tights, drink plenty of water and get your legs and feet moving. Walk around the cabin when possible or try out some simple stretches in your seat.

How to get through airport security fast when flying to Santa Barbara?
The secret is to be organised before you arrive at security. That way, you’ll be stepping onto that plane to Santa Barbara in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your holiday off to a terrific start:

  • Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
  • Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
  • All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be scanned.
  • Travelling with a new cologne? As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it’s stored in a clear zip-lock bag, you can keep it with you on board.
  • The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren’t.
  • Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them safely away in your checked suitcase. They won’t be allowed on board and will be confiscated.

Flights to Santa Barbara information
Destination airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Destination airport IATA code
SBA
Destination city name
Santa Barbara
Return price
£207

Trending flights to Santa Barbara

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at £924 for one-way flights and £534 for round trip, for the period specified. Be sure to select the 'Direct flights only' box above if you are looking for a non stop route. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

British Airways
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