Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is situated 7 miles away from downtown Santa Barbara, California. The airport is also close to the City of Goleta as well as the University of California. SBA offers daily flights to numerous destinations throughout the U.S.
Many people are interested in finding the closest airport to Santa Barbara, CA with SBA only 7.76 miles (12.49 km) away it makes this airport a very convenient option for travelers.
You can also find the cheapest flights from Santa Barbara SBA Airport.
Several Airport Transfer services are available to take you to your desired destination in or around the city.
If you’re driving to SBA, type the address below into any of your phone mapping apps or GPS device:
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport Airport Code: SBA
500 James Fowler Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, USA
Looking for a secure Santa Barbara Airport parking spot? You can book one here.
Pickup Location / Where to meet your driver at Santa Barbara Airport?
Shared ride vans: Roadrunner Shuttle
The pick-up location is at the curb outside the baggage claim area.
Buses: MTD
A public bus stop at SBA is located on Moffett Road which is across the Airline Terminal.
Rideshare
After booking your ride, you will receive detailed instructions on where to meet your Uber/Lyft driver at SBA Airport.
Ground Transportation
If you’re flying to Santa Barbara, you should find and book reliable airport transportation in advance. Many airport transfers are available at the SBA, including Santa Barbara Airport Shuttle, Rideshare, Taxis, Car & Limo Service, Public Transportation, and Rental Cars. We’ve listed below all available transfer providers and their rates to save your time and money.
Use one of these transportation options to check out some popular places and tourist attractions in the area, such as Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara Zoo, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Shoreline Park, and Leadbetter Beach.
Santa Barbara Airport Shuttle
Airport shuttles are one of the best options to get from the airport to your destination. They offer various services, flexible schedule, and competitive rates. Several shuttle providers are allowed to pick up airport passengers at SBA, and you can find out more about each of them below.
Roadrunner Shuttle provides a shared ride, private service, and group transportation in Southern California. When it comes to Santa Barbara Airport shuttle, they offer rides to Goleta, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and more. Check out the list below to discover all the destinations and rates.
Feel free to call Roadrunner Shuttle at 800-247-7919 at any time if you need additional help. You can also use their website or phone app.
The pickup location: You can find your Santa Barbara Airport shuttle at the curb outside the baggage claim area.
Central Coast Shuttle offers its services to various airports including the one in Santa Barbara. If you’re looking for a shuttle to take you from Santa Barbara Airport to LAX or Santa Maria Airport (SMX), this would be a great choice. It stops on the ground floor level on the center dividing island; look for the green sign for Fly Away Buses and Long Distance Vans”.
- The one-way fare for a ride from SBA to SMX is $50.
- The one-way ride from SBA to LAX Airport costs $55.
Note that these rates are for those who book and pay at least 48 hours in advance. Otherwise, the price will be $5 higher. You can save $5 more if you book a round trip or travel in a group.
Book this Santa Barbara Airport shuttle online or by calling 800 470-8818.
Smart Shuttle is another transportation provider serving numerous airports in California. They can provide you with airport shuttle, limousine, and executive town car. It is more expensive than the Santa Barbara Airport shuttle providers above, but it is still a good choice if you don’t mind spending more money.
Have additional questions? Call Smart Shuttle at 805-482-0202 to get the answers. If you want to book your shuttle ride, the easiest way to do it is using our website.
Hotel Shuttles
There are various hotels in the area offering free shuttle rides to and from the airport. Apart from the complimentary shuttle, these hotels may also offer free WiFi and have an indoor or outdoor pool, restaurant, or gym. Choose one from our list below and you won’t have to worry about the transfer to your hotel. However, call the hotel of your choice before booking to check if the service is still available.
Rideshare
When it comes to the price, one of the best airport transfer options is using an app-based transportation company - Uber or Lyft. They are safe and offer affordable rates to nearby destinations that are even cheaper than most Santa Barbara Airport shuttle providers.
To give you a glimpse of their rates and help you find a ride that best accommodates your needs, we’ve listed their estimates below.
Uber Santa Barbara Airport
- to Santa Barbara: $19.78
- to the University of California: $7.77
- to Venture: $69.05
Lyft Santa Barbara Airport
- to Santa Barbara: $18-21
- to the University of California: $6-8
- to Ventura: $60-65
Taxi & Limo Service
If you don’t want to share a vehicle with others or are in a hurry, a taxi service is a great choice and the fastest way to reach your destination. You can easily find a taxi rank at the airport, but we’ve listed all taxi providers and their phone numbers so that you can call them if you have any question.
Those who need a ride for some special occasion or business event can book a car or limo service. It is more expensive than other transportation options, but you will get an exclusive travel experience and a modern vehicle. Listed below are companies with the best guest reviews; call any of them to get more information.
**Public Transportation **
If you don’t have to carry lots of luggage, you can really cut your costs by using cheap public transport. It is a very safe and affordable way to reach the downtown area.
The #11 MTD bus serves Santa Barbara Municipal Airport daily to and from downtown. You can find bus schedules in the Terminal south lobby at SBA or check it out here. The regular one-way fare for adults is only $1.75. A day pass is also available for $6.
Car Rental
Renting a vehicle is another great possibility at the airport - it is convenient and you will be able to travel at your own pace. If you want to rent a car at SBA, several on-airport rental agencies can help you. You can find their phone numbers in the list below. Apart from them, there is one off-airport company - Thrifty - and you can call them at (805) 681-1222.