Cheap bus tickets from Washington, DC to Albany, NY

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Bus from Washington DC to Albany, NY: Journey Information

There are 15 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Albany, NY. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Albany, NY usually takes around 9 hours and 44 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 8 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance
310 mi (500 km)
Shortest duration
8h 25m
Cheapest price
$52.97
Trips per day
0
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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Washington to Albany Bus Schedule

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Washington to Albany (Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.3

1.0

Sophia

August 8, 2019 - Business

Greyhound
Cons: if a bus is 1 hour late, do not stop for 20 minutes at a rest stop. if the driver needs to relieve themself they could do that without letting everyone else off. the trip is not that long. I missed my connecting greyhound bus due to the delay and was not reimbursed.
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How much is a bus ticket from Washington DC to Albany, NY?

Bus tickets for a trip from Washington DC to Albany, NY cost $68.83 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. 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 Albany, NY by travel date

$120$80$40AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Washington DC to Albany, NY in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $55 to $106. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on August 31, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Albany, NY this week, bus tickets are available starting at $63.

Average bus ticket prices from Washington DC to Albany, NY by month

$100$80$60$40$20JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Washington DC to Albany, NY is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $67. If you're planning to take the bus from Washington DC to Albany, NY during July, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $97. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$150$120$90$60$3001020

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 17 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $58.56 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Washington to Albany?

There are multiple buses that travel from Washington to Albany, including Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound99h 56m$103.67
FlixBus US69h 18m$98.07
  • 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 9 bus trips from Washington, DC to Albany, NY every day, with the average journey taking around 9 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Albany, NY usually start from $49.97.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • 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, DC to Albany, NY, and the average ticket for this route costs only $98.07.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Washington to Albany

There are 15 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Albany, NY 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.

TRIPS PER DAY

15

DIRECT TRIPS

0

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 44 minutes to cover the 310 miles from Washington DC to Albany, NY. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 hours and 25 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

310

DISTANCE (KM)

500

The first bus leaves at 12:05am and the last bus leaves at 11:30pm. To see the times for all buses from Washington DC to Albany, NY, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

12:05am

LATEST BUS

11:30pm

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Albany, NY. 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, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

MOST CROWDED

Saturday

LEAST CROWDED

Tuesday

City Information

Washington, DC

DCA-0DCA-1DCA-2

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.

Albany, NY

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As the capital city of New York state, Albany is blessed with many historic buildings and quaint quarters, making it the perfect city to take a stroll around. One of the city’s top attractions is the famous New York State Capitol Building, a stately structure that has been around since as far as the 19th century. If you wish to learn more about the city’s rich history, head over to Bidwell House museum, which is actually a restored home filled with impressive artifacts. While staying in Albany, do take the time to visit The Egg, a unique-looking building that will certainly satisfy your architectural curiosity.

For a great dinner with a quirky twist, head over to Canvas, Corks and Forks - Schenectady. For some of the best BBQ dishes in town, don’t hesitate to give Warehouse Grill & BBQ a shot.

The busiest bus station in the area is the Albany Bus Terminal. The bus station welcomes buses from New York, Boston, Baltimore, and many other places. The nearest Amtrak train station is located in the neighboring town of Rensselaer, NY. The city’s principal airport is the Albany International Airport, located six miles northwest of Albany.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Washington?

Main departure station: Union Station

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

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:

  • Union Station

Where does the bus arrive in Albany?

Main arrival station: Albany Bus Terminal

Albany Bus Term - 34 Hamilton St  - ALBPPA-0

The Albany Bus Terminal is a busy hub of intercity bus travel in downtown Albany. Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Adirondack Trailways, and Peter Pan operate bus trips that stop at this station. The terminal has customer service staff on-site, as well as restrooms and a small cafe. Several parking lots are available around the station, and a hotel is available just down the street. It is only a few blocks to downtown Albany and the New York State Capitol complex from the station.

All bus stations in Albany:

  • Albany Bus Terminal
  • Albany SUNY Bus Stop (Collins Circle)

Need a return trip from Albany to Washington?

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