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Cheap bus tickets from Philadelphia to Washington DC

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Philadelphia to Washington DC Bus Schedule

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

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

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
MX$509.79
Avg. Price
MX$1,094.21
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
20
Daily Trips
45
Duration
Duration
3h 22m
Duration
1h 55m

Bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC: Journey Information

You can pick from 43 daily bus trips between Philadelphia and Washington DC. The average bus journey from Philadelphia to Washington DC takes 3 hours and 19 minutes, but some BBBus bus trips are as short as 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Shortest duration2h 20m
Cheapest priceMX$263.41
Trips per day37
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines5

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Philadelphia to Washington

(Based on 231 ratings and reviews)

4.7

1.0

Kayla

June 19, 2026- Visiting family

BBBus

Pros: Very unprofessional my bag was stolen driver was no help didn’t speak English. Cons: Get new staff. Tips: Didn’t bring anything of value.

4.0

Francess

February 23, 2026- Solo travel

FlixBus US

Pros: Bus wasn't terribly full. Cons: Have more buses regularly going between md and pa. Tips: No.

5.0

Francesca

November 22, 2025- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Efficient and fast. Cons: Cleaner bathroom. Tips: Arrive early.

5.0

Claude

October 23, 2025- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: It was very convenient and safe ride . Cons: Nothing. Tips: I would recommend, very convenient.

4.0

Tamra

October 10, 2025- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: It was at a good time. Cons: N/A. Tips: bring a neck pillow.

Philadelphia to Washington DC Route Map

Philadelphia Washington
See more details

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Washington was MX$481.34. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around MX$356.48 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

MX$790MX$527MX$263JulJul

The average cost of a one-way bus trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC is expected to fluctuate between MX$421 and MX$702 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a bus trip to Washington in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Philadelphia is MX$474.

Monthly avg. prices

MX$878MX$702MX$527MX$351MX$176ASONDJFMAMJJ
You can find the lowest prices on this route during February. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Philadelphia to Washington DC, with the average price at just MX$474. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in November, when the average price goes up to MX$597. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

MX$878MX$702MX$527MX$351MX$1763020100

If you're looking to save on your bus trip from Philadelphia to Washington, book online with Wanderu at least 29 days in advance. That way, you’ll save MX$356.48 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

What bus companies travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

There are 5 bus lines from Philadelphia to Washington DC available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 22 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
BBBus22h 28mMX$464.31
FlixBus US223h 3mMX$766.35
Greyhound143h 58mMX$726.49
OurBus33h 39mMX$293.27
Peter Pan Lines33h 37mMX$561.59

  • Book BBBus from Philadelphia to Washington from MX$421. There are 2 BBBus schedules from Philadelphia to Washington and you can expect on average to pay for a BBBus ticket to Washington. In Philadelphia, BBBus departs to Washington from Philadelphia Bus Terminal - Door 2, Bay 2 and no other station. In Washington, BBBus arrives at 2230 New York Ave NE and no other station.

    An average trip on BBBus from Philadelphia to Washington takes 2 hours and 28 minutes , while the fastest available BBBus trip will get you to Washington in 2 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, BBBus offers 2 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Washington.

  • 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 22 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 14 bus trips from Philadelphia to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 58 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from MX$368.

  • 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 MX$263, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Philadelphia to Washington if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Philadelphia to Washington from MX$562. There are 3 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 Philadelphia Bus Terminal 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 3 hours and 37 minutes , while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Washington in 2 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, Peter Pan Lines offers 4 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Washington.

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

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 19 minutes to cover the 198 kilometers from Philadelphia to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 20 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.

Tuesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking buses from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Tuesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the bus and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Philadelphia to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 43 scheduled buses that travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 37 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, PA to Washington DC; ticket prices start at MX$193.17.

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: Philadelphia Bus Terminal

Buses to Washington DC leave from 3 stations in Philadelphia.

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • Philadelphia Bus Terminal

  • Philadelphia Bus Terminal - Door 2, Bay 2

  • Philadelphia Mills - RED Lot

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

  • Stadium-Armory Metro Station

  • 2230 New York Ave NE

Get around town with Moovit

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