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Philadelphia to Washington DC bus

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Philadelphia - Washington DC Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 24 intercity buses per day from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC usually takes around 3 hours and 32 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£15.05
Trips per day20
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Philadelphia to Washington

(Based on 188 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Leila

February 15, 2024- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: Arrived on time at both destinations. Really enjoyed the bus ride, was mostly quiet and the bus was empty. Tips: Wear headphones when listening to your music. Don’t speak too loudly while on the phone.

5.0

Arianna

January 5, 2024- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: The trip was on time, and it was quiet. Cons: Many of the charger ports did not work, and the seats were a bit uncomfortable.

5.0

Dylan

October 20, 2023- Visiting friends

Peter Pan Lines

It was extremely easy and on time

5.0

Pahel

October 5, 2023

Greyhound

Pros: That I was able to rely on the buses. Cons: I can't think of anything. Tips: Keep on being on time.

4.0

Joseph

August 8, 2023- Visiting friends

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: It’s cheap. Cons: Cleaner station and bathroom make people wear masks. Tips: Bring headphones.

Philadelphia to Washington DC Route Map

Philadelphia Washington

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

£18.46 is the average price of a bus ticket from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Taking a bus is an affordable way to make this trip. 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

£36£24£12MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC is expected to range from £17 to £29. If you are looking to travel to Washington DC within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from £17. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are £17 and can be found on April 9, 2024.

Monthly average prices

£40£32£24£16£8AMJJASONDJFM

The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in December. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just £17 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC in July, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to £25 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

£40£32£24£16£83020100

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 28 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save C£10.17 on your bus ticket compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

There are 4 bus lines from Philadelphia to Washington DC available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 7 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
FlixBus US72h 55m£24.03
Greyhound63h 55m£25.10
Megabus72h 59m£23.74
Peter Pan Lines44h 39m£17.44
  • 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 Philadelphia to Washington, 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 Philadelphia to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from £15.

  • Book Megabus from Philadelphia to Washington from £5. There are 7 Megabus schedules from Philadelphia to Washington and you can expect on average to pay for a Megabus ticket to Washington. In Philadelphia, Megabus departs to Washington from NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St and no other station. In Washington, Megabus arrives at Union Station and no other station.

    An average trip on Megabus from Philadelphia to Washington takes 2 hours and 59 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to Washington in 1 hours and 55 minutes .

    On weekends, Megabus offers 8 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Washington.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Philadelphia to Washington from £17. There are 4 Peter Pan Lines schedules from Philadelphia to Washington and you can expect on average to pay for a Peter Pan Lines ticket to Washington. In Philadelphia, Peter Pan Lines departs to Washington from 520 North Christopher Columbus and no other station. In Washington, Peter Pan Lines arrives at Union Station and no other station.

    An average trip on Peter Pan Lines from Philadelphia to Washington takes 4 hours and 39 minutes , while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Washington in 1 hours and 55 minutes .

    On weekends, Peter Pan Lines offers 5 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus companies that offer service between Philly and DC are BoltBus, Greyhound, Megabus, Peter Pan Lines and OurBus. Of those, the cheapest is Greyhound with an average ticket price around $15, followed by OurBus with tickets averaging about $16.
The drive from Philadelphia to DC can take as little as 2 hours 40 minutes by bus or by car, although it may take longer if you’re entering or leaving DC during rush hour. Bus trips typically take between 3 hours and 3 hours 30 minutes to travel this distance, depending on factors like weather, traffic, and whether the bus is direct versus making additional stops.
The train between Philly and Washington, DC typically costs around $79. If you don’t mind a longer commute, consider taking a bus instead. Buses take as little as 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel the same distance, and only cost an average of $13.

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 32 minutes to cover the 198 kilometers from Philadelphia to Washington DC. 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Philadelphia to Washington DC for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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 Philadelphia to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 24 scheduled buses that travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 20 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 Philadelphia to Washington DC; ticket prices start at £7.93.

City Information

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.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Philadelphia?

Main departure station: 199 Spg Gdn St

Buses to Washington DC leave from 4 stations in Philadelphia.

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • 199 Spg Gdn St

  • NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St

  • Noble St/Spring Garden St.

  • 520 North Christopher Columbus

Where does the bus arrive in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main arrival 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.

Bus stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

  • Union Station

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