Cheap bus tickets from Washington, DC to Charlottesville, VA

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Bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA usually takes around 3 hours and 35 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance
99 mi (159 km)
Shortest duration
3h 30m
Cheapest price
$20.98
Trips per day
1
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
1

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4.8 Rating

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Chiku

Washington to Charlottesville Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington, DC to Charlottesville, VA.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$30.25CheaperAvg. Price$55.94
Daily Trips1Daily Trips3
Duration3h 35mDuration2h 29mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Washington to Charlottesville (Based on 11 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Robert

January 19, 2026 - Visiting family

Greyhound
Pros: The trip was exactly as described Cons: The seats could have been more comfortable Tips: No

5.0

jamar

October 23, 2025 - Visiting family

Greyhound
Pros: Safe driver and arrived safely at right time. Definitely appreciated him Cons: Nothing on this trip, I can't complain Tips: Great service safety over everything and i felt safe enough to fall asleep with safe driver. Definitely recommend everyone use take advantage of peaceful and safe ride to where ever your destination might be

5.0

Lalit

October 8, 2023 - Visiting family

Megabus
Pros: I enjoyed the trip, your staff is very nice. In future I will always select your service. Thank you very much. Cons: At this time I don't have any suggestion. Tips: Just be on time.

5.0

Sibylle

January 10, 2020 - Solo travel

Megabus
Pros: There were not too many travellers so I had a double seat to myself. Cons: The bus smelled strongly of smoke when we boarded.

3.0

Donna

July 17, 2019 - Business

Greyhound
Pros: Once we got going, things were fine and we arrived right on time. Cons: Most of my negative will have to do with the station. On one of the hottest days of the year, there was NO AIR CONDITIONING at all in the bus part of the station, not even in what was supposed to be the special air conditioned room for the passengers. We waited in the heat for the bus, and the driver, seeing that I was near fainting, pulled me to the front of the line and told me to go first onto the bus. But then we got word that we had to wait for passengers from another bus, it turned out for a whole half hour, but we couldn’t have air conditioning because that would have meant idling the bus which would have resulted in a fine for more than 3 minutes. No adaptation at all, no consideration at all, was given to the extreme discomfort the heat was causing. There was also no restroom in the area for the buses. But it was absolutely necessary to keep drinking cold water, which we had to buy, of course, which resulted in repeated long treks to the part of the building where the restrooms were. Tips: Go by train if you can.
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How much is a bus ticket from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA?

Bus tickets for a trip from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA cost $22.23 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. 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 Charlottesville, VA by travel date

$45$30$15AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $21 to $32. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 17, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Charlottesville, VA this week, bus tickets are available starting at $24.

Average bus ticket prices from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $25. If you're planning to take the bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $34. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$1001020

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 26 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $13.27 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Washington to Charlottesville?

There are multiple buses that travel from Washington to Charlottesville, including Greyhound. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound13h 35m$30.25
  • 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 1 bus trips from Washington, DC to Charlottesville, VA every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 35 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Charlottesville, VA usually start from $19.98.

    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

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Washington to Charlottesville

There is usually only one bus per day from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA; ticket prices start at $16.

TRIPS PER DAY

1

DIRECT TRIPS

1

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 35 minutes to cover the 99 miles from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 30 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

99

DISTANCE (KM)

159

There is usually only one bus per day from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA. It leaves the station in Washington DC at 5:50am each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

EARLIEST BUS

5:50am

LATEST BUS

5:50am

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Washington DC to Charlottesville, VA 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Monday

City Information

Washington, DC

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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.

Charlottesville, VA

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Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is one of Virginia's best destinations with plenty of interesting attractions to draw in not only fans of history but also of arts and culture. The prime attraction of the city is the famous estate of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. This 5000-acre mansion is an architectural masterpiece that combines Parisian and Italian elements, giving you a day’s worth of exploration. For those looking for a more idyllic landscape, try Carter Mountain Orchard, which offers apple-picking sessions as well. The University of Charlottesville is also a must-not-miss destination. As the only university in the U.S. to be designated a World Heritage Site, it offers interesting insights into the history of education of the country.

Charlottesville’s wines are famous around the country, and the Monticello Wine Trail is perfect for trying out the best wines that the region has to offer. For an amazing dinner experience, C & O Restaurant, which has been in business since 1976, will be a great choice.

The city’s busiest bus stop is the Greyhound bus stop located downtown at 310 W Main St. For trains, head over to the nearby Amtrak train station, also on W Main St. Charlottesville is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal, Crescent and Northeast Regional lines. The city’s main airport is the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, 8 miles from the city.

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 Charlottesville?

Main arrival station: Charlottesville Un Station

The bus station at 105 Ridge Street serves Greyhound and Jefferson Lines buses which travel through Charlottesville. Bus service is available to travel to cities like Richmond, Washington, DC, and New York. Inside the station, amenities include restrooms and vending machines for convenient snacks before your trip. Within a few minutes’ walk, though, you can grab a fresh meal from one of the many restaurants and cafes on Main Street. The station is ideally located between downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia campus a few blocks to the west. The Amtrak train station is also a short 10-minute walk from the bus station, so it is easy to transfer to continued travels by train.

All bus stations in Charlottesville:

  • Charlottesville Un Station

Need a return trip from Charlottesville to Washington?

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