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Cheap bus tickets from Washington DC to Indianapolis

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Washington DC to Indianapolis Bus Schedule

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from€26.74

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

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Washington to Indianapolis.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
€106.00
Avg. Price
€199.31
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
7
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
20h 14m
Duration
21h 28m

Bus from Washington DC to Indianapolis: Journey Information

There are 7 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Indianapolis. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Indianapolis usually takes around 19 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 15 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance491 mi (790 km)
Shortest duration15h 15m
Cheapest price€67.70
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Washington to Indianapolis

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Tristan

December 11, 2023- Visiting friends

Greyhound

Pros: The staff was helpful and friendly. Cons: The communication for trips, and being a bit more on time. Tips: Book with confidence and information is key.

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Washington DC to Indianapolis cost €92.26 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Indianapolis. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

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

€120€80€40MayMay

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Washington DC to Indianapolis is expected to be between €84 and €116. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is June 6, 2025, when tickets are available for June 6, 2025. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just €91.

Monthly avg. prices

€156€125€94€62€31JJASONDJFMAM
Taking the bus from Washington DC to Indianapolis is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only €95. If you're planning to take the bus from Washington DC to Indianapolis during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €146. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

€201€160€120€80€403020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 29 days in advance to save up to €72.99.

What bus companies travel from Washington DC to Indianapolis?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Washington DC to Indianapolis that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 6 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US123h 12m€142.35
Greyhound619h 56m€109.16
  • 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 1 trips per day from Washington to Indianapolis, 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 Washington to Indianapolis every day, with the average journey taking around 19 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Indianapolis usually start from €68.

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

The bus takes an average of 19 hours and 59 minutes to cover the 491 miles from Washington DC to Indianapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 hours and 15 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. 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.

Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Sunday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Indianapolis, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Washington DC to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 7 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Indianapolis every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Washington DC to Indianapolis, IN; ticket prices start at €77.53.

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.

Indianapolis

Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.

Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.

Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main departure station: Washington

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:

  • Washington

Where does the bus arrive in Indianapolis?

Main arrival station: E Washington St

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Indianapolis.

All bus stations in Indianapolis:

  • E Washington St

  • 350 S Illinois St

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