Cheap bus tickets from Indianapolis to Washington DC
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Indianapolis to Washington?
There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Indianapolis to Washington.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price€91.13 | Avg. Price€175.30 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips7 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration22h 33m | Duration23h 45m |
Bus from Indianapolis to Washington DC: Journey Information
There are 9 intercity buses per day from Indianapolis to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Washington DC usually takes around 21 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 15 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 491 mi (790 km) |
| Shortest duration | 15h 20m |
| Cheapest price | €71.30 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Indianapolis to Washington DC?
Bus tickets for a trip from Indianapolis to Washington DC cost €83.96 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 Indianapolis to Washington DC by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Indianapolis to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from €80 to €116. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 30, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at €80.
Average bus ticket prices from Indianapolis to Washington DC by month
Prices as travel date approaches
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 24 days in advance. This way, you can save up to €91.63 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Indianapolis to Washington DC?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Indianapolis to Washington DC that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 7 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 7 | 1d 0h 43m | €135.92 |
| Greyhound | 4 | 20h 41m | €103.19 |
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 7 trips per day from Indianapolis to Washington, 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 4 bus trips from Indianapolis to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 20 hours and 41 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from €71.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Indianapolis to Washington DC
The bus takes an average of 21 hours and 39 minutes to cover the 491 miles from Indianapolis to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 15 hours and 20 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Washington DC at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, 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 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Indianapolis to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 9 scheduled buses that travel from Indianapolis to Washington DC 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 Indianapolis, IN to Washington DC; ticket prices start at €74.85.
City Information
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Indianapolis?
Main departure station: E Washington St
Buses to Washington DC leave from 3 stations in Indianapolis.
All bus stations in Indianapolis:
E Washington St
350 S Illinois St
Indianapolis Northeast
Where does the bus arrive in Washington DC?
Main arrival 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
Dupont Cir CT Ave
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