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Washington DC to Philadelphia bus

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Washington DC - Philadelphia Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 28 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia usually takes around 3 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Megabus bus can make the trip in just one hour and 55 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Shortest duration1h 55m
Cheapest price$7.92
Trips per day22
Most frequent serviceMegabus
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Washington to Philadelphia

(Based on 203 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Jacqueline

February 19, 2024- Couples trip

Megabus

Pros: It was cheap and relatively fast! Cons: The cleaning--the seats could have definitely used a shampoo and vacuum. Tips: Bring headphones to listen to music!

5.0

Sandeep

January 3, 2024- Visiting family

Megabus

Pros: The pricing and arrival on time. Cons: The bus stop at 100 spg garden street in philly could have more visible signage.. Tips: Wanderu is awesome platform to get your tickets booked for bus travel.

5.0

Daunte

January 1, 2024- Visiting friends

Megabus

Pros: I like the fact the bus was punctual. Cons: Charging outlets.

4.0

Evan

December 23, 2023- Visiting friends

Megabus

Pros: Power availability, drop-off point, no excessive announcements or noise. Cons: Fellow passengers made the experience a bit unpleasant due to body odor and a few other things. Not easy for a busline to do much about, unfortunately. Another reason to be glad I brought a mask! Tips: Bring earbuds/headphones and masks.

5.0

Joao Marcos

December 17, 2023- Visiting friends

Megabus

Punctuality is good

Washington DC to Philadelphia Route Map

Washington Philadelphia
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How much is a bus ticket from Washington DC to Philadelphia?

Over the last month, the average bus fare from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia was $33.02, an excellent value compared to other typical fares. Want to enjoy more savings? Book at least 29 days in advance. If you book at the last minute, you can expect to pay around $20.62 more, so it’s best to book early.

Average prices by travel date

$62$41$21AprApr

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia is expected to range from $29 to $43. If you are looking to travel to Philadelphia within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from $30. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are $29 and can be found on April 30, 2024.

Monthly average prices

$69$55$41$28$14MJJASONDJFMA
Within the upcoming month, the cost of a one-way bus fare from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia averages about $33.02. The most economical bus ticket to Philadelphia from Washington in the next month is $29.

Prices as travel date approaches

$69$55$41$28$143020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. The best way to find cheap bus tickets is to book at least 29 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C$20.62 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia?

There are 4 bus lines from Washington DC to Philadelphia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 daily trips, Megabus usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US72h 52m$42.32
Greyhound63h 58m$43.34
Megabus83h 0m$42.22
Peter Pan Lines64h 55m$41.11

  • 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 7 trips per day from Washington to Philadelphia, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 6 bus trips from Washington to Philadelphia every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 58 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from $28.

  • Book Megabus from Washington to Philadelphia from $8. There are 8 Megabus schedules from Washington to Philadelphia and you can expect on average to pay for a Megabus ticket to Philadelphia. In Washington, Megabus departs to Philadelphia from Union Station and no other station. In Philadelphia, Megabus arrives at NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St and no other station.

    An average trip on Megabus from Washington to Philadelphia takes 3 hours and 0 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to Philadelphia in 1 hours and 55 minutes .

    On weekends, Megabus offers 10 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Philadelphia.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia from $29. There are 6 Peter Pan Lines schedules from Washington to Philadelphia and you can expect on average to pay for a Peter Pan Lines ticket to Philadelphia. In Washington, Peter Pan Lines departs to Philadelphia from Union Station and no other station. In Philadelphia, Peter Pan Lines arrives at 520 North Christopher Columbus and no other station.

    An average trip on Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia takes 4 hours and 55 minutes , while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Philadelphia in 1 hours and 55 minutes .

    On weekends, Peter Pan Lines offers 6 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Philadelphia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 31 minutes to cover the 198 kilometers from Washington DC to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 55 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.

Because many passengers travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Washington DC to Philadelphia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 28 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 22 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Washington DC to Philadelphia; ticket prices start at $13.80.

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.

Philadelphia

We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main departure station: Union Station

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

All bus stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

  • Union Station

Where does the bus arrive in Philadelphia?

Main arrival station: NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St

Buses arrive in Philadelphia at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St

  • 199 Spg Gdn St

  • Noble St/Spring Garden St.

  • 520 North Christopher Columbus

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