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Washington DC to Philadelphia bus

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Washington DC to Philadelphia Bus Timetable

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Journey Information

There are 24 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia usually takes around 3 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in just one hour and 45 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Shortest duration1h 45m
Cheapest price€8.19
Trips per day22
Most frequent servicePeter Pan Lines
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Washington to Philadelphia

(Based on 216 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Woranittha

2 September 2024- Solo travel

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: City. Cons: No. Tips: No.

5.0

Vito

25 August 2024- Visiting friends

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: The driver was incredibly helpful and friendly. Cons: Nothing great trip. Tips: Get ready to be comfy.

5.0

Maurice

26 July 2024- Business

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Not having to drive. Cons: N/A. Tips: No.

5.0

Hyacinth

13 July 2024- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: It was safe. Cons: Staff be friendly. Tips: To travel with Peter penn.

4.0

Rebecca

7 July 2024- Vacation

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: The driver took control of the bus, making it a respectful ride for all. Cons: The seats were small and the air was hard to direct towards you.

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 €20.41, an excellent value compared to other typical fares. Want to enjoy more savings? Book at least 23 days in advance. If you book at the last minute, you can expect to pay around €12.67 more, so it’s best to book early.

Average prices by travel date

€27€18€9OctOct

If you're planning to travel by bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from €21 to €26. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 15 October 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Philadelphia this week, bus tickets are available starting at €21.

Monthly average prices

€46€36€27€18€9NDJFMAMJJASO
Within the upcoming month, the cost of a one-way bus fare from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia averages about €20.41. The most economical bus ticket to Philadelphia from Washington in the next month is €21.

Prices as travel date approaches

€46€36€27€18€93020100

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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to €12.67 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia?

There are 3 bus lines from Washington DC to Philadelphia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 9 daily trips, Peter Pan Lines 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 US82h 53m€26.08
Greyhound74h 9m€22.40
Peter Pan Lines93h 39m€27.78

  • 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 8 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 7 bus trips from Washington to Philadelphia every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 9 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from €14.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia from €8. There are 9 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 and one other station.

    An average trip on Peter Pan Lines from Washington to Philadelphia takes 3 hours and 39 minutes , while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Philadelphia in 1 hours and 45 minutes .

    On weekends, Peter Pan Lines offers 10 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 27 minutes to cover the 198 kilometers from Washington DC to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 45 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 Washington DC to Philadelphia 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.

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 24 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 22 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 €10.02.

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

Where does the bus arrive in Philadelphia?

Main arrival station: 199 Spring Garden St

Buses arrive in Philadelphia at 4 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

Get around town with Moovit

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Related reading

Need a return trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

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