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Washington DC to Philadelphia bus

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Washington DC - Philadelphia Bus Timetable

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Journey Information

There are 25 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia usually takes around 3 hours and 33 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€5.33
Trips per day21
Most frequent serviceMegabus
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Washington to Philadelphia

(Based on 202 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Jacqueline

19 February 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

3 January 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

1 January 2024- Visiting friends

Megabus

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

4.0

Evan

23 December 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

17 December 2023- Visiting friends

Megabus

Punctuality is good

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

€21.63 is the average price of a bus ticket from Washington DC to Philadelphia. 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

€42€28€14MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Washington DC to Philadelphia is expected to be between €20 and €32. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is 9 April 2024, when tickets are available for 9 April 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just €21.

Monthly average prices

€46€37€28€19€9AMJJASONDJFM
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Washington DC to Philadelphia, mark your calendar for December. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just €20. However, taking the bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia during July is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of €30. The best way to find deals on a trip in July is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

€46€37€28€19€93020100

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 €12.20 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 US62h 53m€28.59
Greyhound63h 58m€29.34
Megabus83h 0m€27.98
Peter Pan Lines54h 49m€20.44
  • 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 6 trips per day from Washington to Philadelphia, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach 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 €19.

  • Book Megabus from Washington to Philadelphia from €5. There are 8 trips per day offered by Megabus from Washington DC 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 . In Philadelphia, Megabus arrives at NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St .

    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. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Philadelphia.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia from €19. There are 5 trips per day offered by Peter Pan Lines from Washington DC 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 . In Philadelphia, Peter Pan Lines arrives at 520 North Christopher Columbus .

    An average trip on Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia takes 4 hours and 49 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. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Philadelphia.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 33 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Philadelphia. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 00:00 and the last bus leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all buses from Washington DC to Philadelphia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 25 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 21 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 €9.28.

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 or join a history and food tour of the Italian 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

Get around town with Moovit

Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in Philadelphia. Download here

Need a return trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

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