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Cheap bus tickets from Washington DC to New Orleans

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Washington DC to New Orleans Bus Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Washington to New Orleans?

There are usually 2 daily train trips from Washington to New Orleans.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$206.11
Avg. Price
$523.32
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
1
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
1d 1h 25m
Duration
1d 14h 9m

Bus from Washington DC to New Orleans: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to New Orleans. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to New Orleans usually takes around 25 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 24 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance965 mi (1553 km)
Shortest duration24h 30m
Cheapest price$147.07
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines1

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How much is a bus ticket from Washington DC to New Orleans?

Bus tickets for a trip from Washington DC to New Orleans cost $152.68 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to New Orleans. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price

Average bus ticket prices from Washington DC to New Orleans by month

$315$252$189$126$63NDJFMAMJJASO
Taking the bus from Washington DC to New Orleans is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $199. If you're planning to take the bus from Washington DC to New Orleans during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $297. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$385$308$231$154$773020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $172.05 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Washington DC to New Orleans?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Washington DC to New Orleans. FlixBus US connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US31d 1h 38m$246.80
  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 3 trips per day from Washington to New Orleans, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Washington DC to New Orleans

The bus takes an average of 25 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 1553 kilometers from Washington DC to New Orleans. However, the fastest bus only takes 24 hours and 30 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to New Orleans at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Washington DC to New Orleans, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to New Orleans every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Washington DC to New Orleans, LA; ticket prices start at $239.59.

City Information

Washington DC

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

New Orleans

New Orleans, LA - NOL-0

Image credit: Unsplash

New Orleans, LA - NOL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

New Orleans, LA - NOL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

New Orleans is the most populous city in the southern state of Louisiana and one of the most popular party destinations in the whole world. Known as The Big Easy, New Orleans is famous for its distinct French-Spanish architecture, Creole cuisine, and unique music. Around the globe, New Orleans is best known as the host city of Mardi Gras, a late-winter carnival known for flashy costumes and never-ending street parties. Because of that, NOLA is consistently among the preferred vacation destinations among spring breakers and post-grad travelers.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than just partying, though. While you’re in town, connect with the artistic side of your personality with a visit to the famed New Orleans Museum of Art where you will find the South’s most impressive collection of French and American art. A visit to the Big Easy will not be complete without stopping by some of the city’s iconic cemeteries. Whether you take a guided tour or you explore on your own, you will learn a lot about the area’s history and urban legends.

New Orleans is one of the main economic and commercial centers of the U.S. Gulf Coast region, and as such it is easily accessible by all kinds of transportation. The airport is located not too far from the city center, while the city’s main bus and train station, the Union Passenger Terminal, is placed right in the heart of downtown New Orleans.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Washington DC?

Main departure station: Union Station

Buses to New Orleans leave from 3 stations in Washington.

All bus stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

  • Union Station

  • Dupont Cir CT Ave

Where does the bus arrive in New Orleans?

Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave - NOLAMT-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Opened in 1954 to replace the five depots spread throughout the city, the Union Passenger Terminal connects all of New Orleans’ passenger rail into one iconic building. To this day, it remains the largest transportation hub in New Orleans and is a key link for travel throughout the Southern United States. Three of Amtrak’s long distance train lines end their service at Union Passenger Terminal: the City of New Orleans line from Chicago, the Crescent line from New York City, and the Sunset Limited line from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Buses operated by Greyhound and Jefferson Lines also serve this station, as well as public transit which connects to New Orleans’ famous streetcars. At the station, there are shops, a game room, and food for purchase, and the city’s must-visit French Quarter is just a mile away.

Bus stations in New Orleans:

  • Union Term - 1001 Loyola Ave

Get around town with Moovit

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