$157 Cheap Flights from Tampa (TPA) to Santa Barbara (SBA)

Find available prices by choosing your travel dates.

Cheap Flights from Tampa to Santa Barbara (TPA-SBA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $157 for one-way flights and $308 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

United
Delta
American Airlines
United
Delta
Delta
American Airlines
Delta
Southwest Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Flights from Tampa (TPA) to Santa Barbara (SBA)
Origin airport
Tampa Intl.
Destination airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$308
Distance
2235 mi

Tampa to Santa Barbara Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Tampa 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 Tampa to Santa Barbara are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Tampa to Santa Barbara with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa to Santa Barbara in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $157 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 Tampa 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 Tampa 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 TPA to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) last minute?
Booking your journey from TPA to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) at the last minute could save you a nice sum if you stumble on an amazing deal. However, fares typically don’t come down in price as the date of departure nears. If you hold out, flights could also be booked solid or the best seats taken (don’t get stuck in the middle!). If you want to be on the safe side, 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 airline hasn’t released its airfares yet, check back regularly as deals are constantly updated on Expedia.
What airports do you fly into for Santa Barbara from Tampa?
With Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), Oxnard, CA (OXR) and Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX) to pick from, journeying from Tampa to Santa Barbara is simple. The city’s main hub, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), is approximately 8 mi west of the center. As well as the price of fares, consider things like train or bus options from the airport and the distance to your hotel when deciding where to land. Get your Santa Barbara vacation off to a superb start by visiting Santa Barbara Zoo and Lotusland.
Can I change the date of my flight from Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA) to SBA?
Plans can change, so Expedia is here to help make amending your flight as easy as possible. To start, find your Tampa Airport to SBA itinerary through the Expedia Trips portal and browse the ticket rules to see if change fees apply. If you booked your ticket in the last 24 hours, some carriers will allow you to cancel for free and book new flights. If you booked more than 24 hours ago, get in touch with us via our Customer Service portal to find out your options.

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*Available to One Key members.