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Cheap bus tickets from Washington DC to Philadelphia

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Washington DC to Philadelphia Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 45 daily train trips from Washington to Philadelphia.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$34.54
Avg. Price
$95.60
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
29
Daily Trips
45
Duration
Duration
3h 29m
Duration
2h 6m

Bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia: Journey Information

There are 29 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia usually takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Peter Pan Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Shortest duration2h 25m
Cheapest price$13.64
Trips per day28
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines5

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Washington to Philadelphia

(Based on 239 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Ivy

January 30, 2026- Solo travel

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Trip was nice and smooth and the bus was very clean and comfortable. Cons: N/a. Tips: Arrive early si you can pick good seats, always ask the drivers if you are confused about something and relax 😌.

5.0

Tianyu

January 3, 2026- Business

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Super on time, bus driver was capable and fast, the clientele were also great (no one loud or annoying or stinky), the WiFi was fast and actually worked, and overall it was really comfortable. I was happily surprised. Cons: The seats could recline a bit more. Tips: Arrive on time or early if possible.

5.0

Sharise

December 19, 2025- Visiting friends

FlixBus US

Pros: Very warm. Cons: Just be on time. Tips: ..

5.0

Takiva

November 7, 2025- Couples trip

BBBus

Pros: It was cheap and the busline sent a bus tracker when the bus was runnkng behind. Cons: Send the bus tracker 10 mins out from bus arrival. Tips: Bus locations listed in Wanderu are accurate.

5.0

Jerry

August 6, 2025- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Everything. Cons: Nothing really. Tips: Awesome experience all away around highly recommended everyone to ride with Peter pan.

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 $30.73, an excellent value compared to other typical fares. Want to enjoy more savings? Book at least 28 days in advance. If you book at the last minute, you can expect to pay around $16.14 more, so it’s best to book early.

Average bus ticket prices from Washington DC to Philadelphia by travel date

$41$27$14FebFeb

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Washington DC to Philadelphia is expected to be between $27 and $40. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is February 17, 2026, when tickets are available for February 17, 2026. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $30.

Monthly avg. prices

$68$55$41$27$14MAMJJASONDJF
Taking the bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $38. If you're planning to take the bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $55. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$68$55$41$27$143020100

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 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $16.14 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia?

There are 5 bus lines from Washington DC to Philadelphia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 9 daily trips, FlixBus US 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
BBBus23h 4m$34.14
FlixBus US93h 12m$43.28
Greyhound54h 3m$41.63
OurBus73h 41m$21.02
Peter Pan Lines83h 38m$30.40

  • Book BBBus from Washington to Philadelphia from $34. There are 2 BBBus schedules from Washington to Philadelphia and you can expect on average to pay for a BBBus ticket to Philadelphia. In Washington, BBBus departs to Philadelphia from 2230 New York Ave NE and no other station. In Philadelphia, BBBus arrives at 100 Spring Garden St and 1 other station.

    An average trip on BBBus from Washington to Philadelphia takes 3 hours and 4 minutes , while the fastest available BBBus trip will get you to Philadelphia in 2 hours and 25 minutes .

    On weekends, BBBus offers 3 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Philadelphia.

  • 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 9 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 5 bus trips from Washington to Philadelphia every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from $29.

  • OurBus is an intercity bus company based in New York City. OurBus provides cheap bus tickets to some of the most popular cities in the United States. All OurBus coaches come equipped with a generous roster of amenities, including extra legroom, freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary bottled water. With cheap bus tickets starting from $20, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Washington to Philadelphia if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia from $14. There are 8 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 1 other station.

    An average trip on Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia takes 3 hours and 38 minutes , while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Philadelphia in 2 hours and 25 minutes .

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

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 198 kilometers from Washington DC to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 25 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, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday 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 29 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 28 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, PA; ticket prices start at $15.02.

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

  • Stadium-Armory Metro Station

  • 2230 New York Ave NE

Where does the bus arrive in Philadelphia?

Main arrival station: 199 Spring Garden St

Buses arrive in Philadelphia at 8 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • 520 North Christopher Columbus

  • NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St

  • Spring Garden Market-Frankford Line Station

  • Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop

  • Philadelphia Mills - RED Lot

  • 100 Spring Garden St

Get around town with Moovit

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