$109 Cheap Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Santa Barbara (SBA)

Popular airlines from Los Angeles Intl. (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)

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Cheap Flights from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara (LAX-SBA)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $109 for one-way flights and $179 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

United
United
United
United
United
United
Southwest Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Delta
American Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Santa Barbara (SBA)

September is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $179 - $509 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Santa Barbara (SBA)
Origin airport
Los Angeles Intl.
Destination airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$179
Distance
88 mi
Average flight time
2 hours 15 mins

Los Angeles to Santa Barbara Flights

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

 

The best time to book a flight from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles to Santa Barbara in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $109 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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 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

How much does a flight from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) cost?
You'll find cheap return tickets from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) starting from $179. Book your seat and be on your way. This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a United flight leaving LAX on August 8 2025 and touching down at SBA. The price was last updated on July 12 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from LAX to SBA?
The cheapest flights from LAX to SBA are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Catch a direct flight with United Airlines and journey straight from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA).
What is the cheapest airline that flies from LAX to SBA?
Currently, the cheapest airline offering one-way flights from LAX to SBA is United. You can jet off on this route from $204. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from LAX on October 2 2025. Prices were last updated on July 12 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
On average, just 1 direct flight departs each day from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). Looking for more options? Use our filter tool to discover flights with layovers and add a new destination to your journey.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Flights between LAX and SBA tend to be busiest at 11 PM. For a more relaxed atmosphere and possibly cheaper prices, look for a time outside the usual busy windows.
What day of the week has the most flights from LAX to SBA?
Wednesday offers the most flights from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). Consider leaving on this day and you'll have the best chance of finding a departure that fits your itinerary.
What is the earliest flight from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Take the earliest flight at around 8:28AM UTC-8, departing from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX). You'll be flying for approximately 59m, landing at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) at approximately 9:27AM UTC-8.
How long does it take to fly from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
The average flight duration from LAX to SBA is 59 minutes, covering a total distance of 90 mi.
What airline has the least delays from LAX to SBA?
With 83% of flights generally landing on time, United Airlines has the best on-time performance for direct flights from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). To monitor your flight status and get notifications if anything changes, use the Expedia App.
What is the best time to fly from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Select a flight from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) that takes off before 3 PM to reduce the risk of delays and cancellations. Departures after this hour are on average 22% more likely to be canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Santa Barbara from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX)?
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is the only airport in Santa Barbara with direct flights from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX). Check out the options and discover affordable fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) last-minute?
Booking your plane ticket from LAX to SBA just before your journey is usually more expensive. But if there's some wiggle room with your schedule, you could land a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a LAX to SBA flight and hotel package?
You'll typically save money by securing a LAX to SBA flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, travelers could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's simple to manage everything in one convenient place. After selecting your ideal accommodations and flights, consider adding extras such as activities, tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Los Angeles Intl. Airport (LAX) to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
If you booked your LAX to SBA flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it at no cost. Depending on the airline and the ticket type you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, head to our Customer Service portal for more details.

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