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Washington DC to Philadelphia bus

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Washington DC - Philadelphia Bus Timetable

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Bus Route Overview: Washington DC to Philadelphia

There are 15 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia usually takes around 3 hours and 44 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Shortest duration2h 45m
Cheapest price€14.16
Trips per day15
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Washington to Philadelphia

(Based on 188 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

EDWARD K

16 September 2023- Visiting friends

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: I enjoyed how the driver tried extra hard to remind and enforce all passengers to respect fellow passengers on the bus. This really matters. Cons: Frequent toilet cleaning. Tips: Be sure to look out for super cheap prices. They do exist!

4.0

Marrion

4 August 2023- Visiting friends

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Comfortable ride. Cons: Time of arrival and speed plus internet. Tips: Book online and arrive station on time.

5.0

Timothy

21 July 2023- Vacation

Peter Pan Lines

Easy -On time - Dude was super helpful in Philly - Bus Driver great -

5.0

Regina

12 July 2023- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Comfortable and cheap way to travel. Cons: Available WiFi would be useful.

5.0

keyana

18 June 2023- Solo travel

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: the quiet. Cons: nothing. Tips: be prepared for anything to happen.

Washington DC to Philadelphia Route Map

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

€15.52 is the average price of a bus ticket from Washington DC to Philadelphia. This is currently one of the best deals in bus travel. 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

€28€19€9SepOct

Over the next four weeks, the average ticket price of a bus from Washington DC to Philadelphia is expected to range from €15 to €25. If you are looking to travel to Philadelphia within the next week, you can find bus tickets starting from €15. The cheapest bus tickets in the next month are €15 and can be found on 3 October 2023.

Monthly average prices

€47€38€28€19€9ONDJFMAMJJAS

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 €21 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia in July, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to €28 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

€47€38€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 25 days in advance. By doing so, you can expect to save €19.95 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 6 daily trips, Greyhound 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 54m€24.35
Greyhound63h 57m€23.90
OurBus12h 45m€18.89
Peter Pan Lines33h 27m€29.07

  • 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 57 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from €14.

  • 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 €19, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Washington to Philadelphia if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

  • Peter Pan Bus Lines is one of the biggest bus carriers in the Northeast region of the United States. Headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts, the company offers affordable bus tickets and comfortable bus trips to over a dozen destinations across nine states and the District of Columbia. Peter Pan is known for their reliable bus service and green certified modern coaches that offer amenities such as onboard restrooms, free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom between seats. Running an average of 3 bus trips every day during the week and 3 trips on weekends, Peter Pan is one of the main bus carriers between Washington and Philadelphia, offering bus tickets as low as €18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which bus is best depends on your preferences and priorities. Greyhound tends to have the cheapest bus tickets on average, but Megabus offers the most daily trips from DC to Philadelphia. Peter Pan Lines has the fastest buses at just under 3 hours per trip, but there are only a few Peter Pan buses per day.
Yes, Amtrak does run between Philadelphia and Washington, DC, including the Amtrak Acela and Northeast Regional lines. However, if you don’t mind a slightly longer trip, the bus may be a better option. The average train ticket between Philly and DC costs about $79 in both directions, whereas the average bus ticket costs only $13.

Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the bus or in stations.

Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 44 minutes to cover the 198 kilometers from Washington DC to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by buses from Washington DC to Philadelphia on Tuesday. Tickets for Tuesday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Friday. Friday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

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 15 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Washington DC to Philadelphia without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Washington DC to Philadelphia; ticket prices start at €9.45.

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

  • Stadium-Armory Metro Station

Where does the bus arrive in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia, PA - Greyhound Bus Terminal (1001 Filbert St) - PHLGLI-0

Image credit: Dough4872

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Philadelphia Bus Station

Philadelphia's Greyhound Bus Terminal is a popular bus station served by several intercity bus companies, including Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Peter Pan Bus Lines. Conveniently located in downtown Philly, you can walk from the bus station to the nearby Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market, and even Independence Hall (home of the Liberty Bell). The station is a comfortable place to begin your bus journey, with a snack bar, restrooms, and vending machines, as well as several nearby parking garages and quick bites. And if your destination is Philadelphia, the Greyhound Bus Terminal makes it easy to start your sightseeing or head to your hotel, thanks to the SEPTA subway stop half a block away.

Bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • Philadelphia Bus Station

  • Independence Hall Visitors Ctr - 601 Market St

  • Philadelphia Mills - RED Lot

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