£357 Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara

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Find Your Flights to Santa Barbara SBA

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?

Many people like to fly into Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) when visiting the vibrant city of Santa Barbara.

How far is SBA from central Santa Barbara?

If you're staying in central Santa Barbara, it's a good idea to arrange how you'll get into the city before you touchdown. The downtown area is about 13 kms (8 miles) from Santa Barbara Airport.

What airport is best to fly into Santa Barbara?

With only one major airport servicing Santa Barbara, it won't take very long to discover the best flight. You'll be jetting off to SBA, which sits around 13 kms (8 miles) from the centre of town.

How many airlines fly to Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara is serviced by 5 air carriers from 13 airports around the world.

Which airlines fly to Santa Barbara?

American Airlines operates the majority of the flights to Santa Barbara. Catching an American Airlines flight from Phoenix is the most popular way to get there.

How many nonstop flights are there to Santa Barbara?

Flying to somewhere new is much more straightforward when there aren't any annoying stopovers to slow you down. If you're jetting off to Santa Barbara, the great news is that there are approximately 223 direct flights operating each week.

Where are the most popular flights to Santa Barbara departing from?

Travellers frequently depart from Phoenix, San Francisco and Denver airports when going to Santa Barbara.

How long is the flight to Santa Barbara Airport?

If you're going to Santa Barbara from Phoenix, you’re looking at a flight time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Those jetting off from San Francisco should expect to be airborne for around 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Denver it's roughly 2 hours and 44 minutes away.

How to book the cheapest flight to Santa Barbara?

We all know those fortunate jet-setters who manage to grab wonderfully cheap airfares wherever they go. Want to know how to do it for your Santa Barbara holiday? Don't wait until the very last minute to secure your flight. Another terrific way to pick up a bargain is to shop around. If your destination has multiple airports, don't forget to look into the cost of flying into a less busy terminal. And finally, don't forget that it's first in, best dressed. Familiarise yourself with airfare costs and be ready to book your ticket as soon as you see a great bargain. The sweetest deals don't last long.

Do you have any tips for my flight to Santa Barbara?

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you've prepared well enough. Check out these essential travel tips that will help get your Santa Barbara holiday started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a hassle-free flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, cash and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a thrilling novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, pocket knives, fireworks and fuel. Sports equipment like golf clubs, and objects that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and firearms, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and pick shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to remove.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your legs and feet often.

How to get through airport security fast when flying to Santa Barbara?

As seasoned travellers know, the secret is to be organised before you reach airport security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Santa Barbara in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your holiday off to a terrific start:

• Be sure to keep your travel documents and ID within easy reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go through the machine for inspection. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll be asked to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.