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Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Raleigh to Columbus. Traveling by bus from Raleigh to Columbus usually takes around 21 hours and 52 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 14 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 374 mi (602 km) |
| Shortest duration | 14h 55m |
| Cheapest price | $85.40 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Raleigh to Columbus?
$97.70 is the average price of a bus ticket from Raleigh to Columbus. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Raleigh to Columbus is expected to be between $93 and $133. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is May 15, 2024, when tickets are available for May 15, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $112.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in August. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just $118 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Raleigh to Columbus in November, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to $190 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
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$223.98 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Raleigh to Columbus?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Raleigh to Columbus that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 7 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 1d 3h 5m | $269.47 |
| Greyhound | 7 | 21h 51m | $127.06 |
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 1 trips per day from Raleigh to Columbus, 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 7 bus trips from Raleigh to Columbus every day, with the average journey taking around 21 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbus usually start from $85.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 21 hours and 52 minutes to cover the 602 kilometers from Raleigh to Columbus. However, the fastest bus only takes 14 hours and 55 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 Columbus 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Raleigh to Columbus, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Raleigh to Columbus 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 Raleigh to Columbus; ticket prices start at $332.46.
City Information
Raleigh
As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.
Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.
Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city center at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.
Columbus
Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.
As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.
Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Raleigh?
Image credit: Sam Opp
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd
The Bus Terminal on Capital Blvd connects Raleigh to other major cities via bus routes on Greyhound and Southeastern Stages. Popular routes from this station head to Atlanta, New York City, and Washington, DC. Restrooms and a snack bar are available within the station, along with a comfortable seating area. Although the bus terminal is about 2 miles northeast of downtown, local public transit stops right outside the station provide easy access to the rest of Raleigh.
All bus stations in Raleigh:
Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd
3700 New Bern Ave
Where does the bus arrive in Columbus?
Image credit: Antony-22
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Columbus, OH (Bus Station)
The Bus Terminal at 111 E Town St is Columbus’ hub for intercity bus service on a variety of carriers including Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, Barons Bus Lines, and Amtrak Thruway. Conveniently located in downtown Columbus, the station’s area features several parking lots, hotels, and fast food restaurants. The waiting area within the station building includes restrooms, vending machines, and even arcade-style games if you’re prone to boredom while waiting for the bus. From this station, you can travel to destinations including Cincinnati, Chicago, and New York.
Bus stations in Columbus:
Columbus, OH (Bus Station)
4600 International Gateway
Ohio State University
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