Cheap Flights from Santa Monica (SMO) to Santa Barbara (SBA)

Popular airlines from Santa Monica, CA (SMO-Santa Monica Municipal) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)

Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.
Flights from Santa Monica (SMO) to Santa Barbara (SBA)
Origin airport
Santa Monica Municipal
Destination airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Distance
84 mi

Santa Monica to Santa Barbara Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara are during the month of . You can find some of the cheapest flights from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Santa Monica to Santa Barbara flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Santa Monica to Santa Barbara airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to Santa Barbara Airport last minute?
Booking your flight from Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) at the last minute could save you dollars if you luck out and find a good deal. However, airfares usually don’t drop in price closer to the departure date. If you hold out, flights could also be sold out or the best seats taken (don’t get stuck in the middle!). If you’d rather not take any chances, book well in advance of when you want to leave. In fact, you can find some of the biggest deals up to 12 months in advance. If your preferred carrier hasn’t released its fares yet, check back regularly as offers are constantly updated on Expedia.
What airports do you fly into for Santa Barbara from Los Angeles?
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), Oxnard, CA (OXR) and Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) are your options when taking off from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Approximately 8 mi west of central Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is the city’s main entry point. Think about factors such as flight arrival and departure times and the distance to your hotel before choosing your airport. Santa Barbara Zoo and Lotusland are a couple of terrific attractions to put on your itinerary when you arrive.
Can I change the date of my flight from Santa Monica Airport to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Quickly make changes to your Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) to Santa Barbara Airport journey by logging in to the Expedia Trips portal. But before amending dates or times, read over the fare conditions in your itinerary to see what you’re able to do and if any charges apply. Some airlines charge a change fee per person, in addition to any difference in fares. However, if you booked in the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel for free and arrange new flights. You can also take a look at our Customer Service portal for more handy information and to connect with our Virtual Agent.

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*Available to One Key members.