Wanderu Logo
United States flag
$
Log in
background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Boston to Philadelphia bus

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

Boston - Philadelphia Bus Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

Journey Information

There are 20 intercity buses per day from Boston to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from Boston to Philadelphia usually takes around 7 hours and 45 minutes, but the fastest Peter Pan Lines bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance271 mi (436 km)
Shortest duration6h 20m
Cheapest price$29.60
Trips per day5
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Boston to Philadelphia

(Based on 49 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Sai Suraj

November 22, 2023- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: The bus started and reached on time. Cons: Seat could be a little big and comfortable. Power outlet is not working in Boston to New York bus A passenger must be given a choice to select a seat before the journey.

5.0

Alvin

June 4, 2023- Solo travel

Peter Pan Lines

Comfortable

5.0

Marie M

January 7, 2023- Vacation

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Comfortable, quiet, no speeding . On time. Cons: No electricity to plug the phone charger. Tips: Safety travel with this company .

5.0

Mark

December 31, 2022- Vacation

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Everything was fine but some charging outlets didn’t work to charge my cell phone. Cons: Cgarging sockets. Tips: To definitely look at Wanderu for tickets.

4.0

Andrew

December 26, 2022- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: We had to catch a connecting bus in New York & though the Boston-New York bus delayed by more than 1 hour, the bus to Philadelphia waited for us to arrive. That compromise left a good impression on us. Cons: Peter Pan needs to communicate with passengers about the status of their bus connections in case of delays in the first leg of their trips. I did not enjoy the last 2 hours of my 1st leg trip due to fear of having missed my connecting bus departure time. Tips: For travellers connecting in New York City, give yourself 3-4 hours between NYC arrival & departure times. Traffic into New York City can be really bad & one can miss his/her connection bus as a result of delays.

Boston to Philadelphia Route Map

Boston Philadelphia
See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Boston to Philadelphia?

Bus tickets for a trip from Boston to Philadelphia cost $59.24 on average. Tickets cheaper than $59.24 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average prices by travel date

$105$70$35NovDec

If you're planning to travel by bus from Boston to Philadelphia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $40 to $101. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on December 5, 2023.

If you’re looking to travel to Philadelphia this week, bus tickets are available starting at $40.

Monthly average prices

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Boston to Philadelphia, mark your calendar for January. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $50. However, taking the bus from Boston to Philadelphia during November is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $60. The best way to find deals on a trip in November is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

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 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $56.28 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Boston to Philadelphia?

There are 4 bus lines from Boston to Philadelphia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 8 daily trips, FlixBus US 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 US87h 45m$103.71
Greyhound77h 52m$92.12
OurBus16h 45m$130.00
Peter Pan Lines56h 57m$76.93

  • 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 8 trips per day from Boston to Philadelphia, 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 7 bus trips from Boston to Philadelphia every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 52 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from $30.

  • 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 $130, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Boston 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 5 bus trips every day during the week and 5 trips on weekends, Peter Pan is one of the main bus carriers between Boston and Philadelphia, offering bus tickets as low as $55.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, traveling from Boston to Philadelphia does not make for a good day-trip. A one-way bus ride takes at least 6 hours, and the train takes at least 4 hours 50 minutes. With that amount of travel time involved, you’d be better off staying in Philadelphia for a night or two.
A train ticket from Boston to Philadelphia usually costs around $152, since the Northeast Corridor is such a popular Amtrak route. By comparison, bus tickets are significantly cheaper, usually costing around $22.
The fastest way to get from Boston to Philadelphia to take a nonstop flight, which usually takes between 1 hour 30 minutes and 2 hours. If speed isn’t an issue, it may be worth taking the bus. A one-way, nonstop flight from Boston to Philadelphia typically costs between $60 and $120, whereas the same trip by bus costs $21.79 on average.

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 7 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 271 miles from Boston to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Philadelphia. 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, 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 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Boston to Philadelphia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 20 scheduled buses that travel from Boston to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 5 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Boston to Philadelphia; ticket prices start at $27.00.

City Information

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the country, but it is kept young and fresh with the help of over 150,000 students who flock to the city’s prestigious universities every year. Beantown’s many sights and activities celebrate American history, prolific sports teams, and New England seafood. So let's spill the tea (into the harbor, if you will):

Boston's Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city on foot and visit some of the most iconic landmarks of the American Revolution: from Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution to the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall. The Freedom Trail officially begins in Boston Common, the oldest public park in the U.S. and a beautiful spot for walking, picnicking, or ice skating in the winter. Foodies will love tasting the Italian cuisine in the North End and the modern eateries of South End, while sports fans can tour Fenway Park, and art lovers can explore the expansive Museum of Fine Arts.

From Boston, travelers can easily get to the beachy summer destination of Cape Cod, or surrounding states like New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island. With four main train stations and several bus stops in the city, as well as Boston Logan Airport (which, by the way, has some excellent airport food), Boston is a central hub for travel throughout New England and beyond.

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 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 Boston?

Main departure station: 748 Atlantic Avenue - Alongside South Station Bus Terminal

Buses to Philadelphia leave from 3 stations in Boston.

All bus stations in Boston:

  • 748 Atlantic Avenue - Alongside South Station Bus Terminal

  • South Station Bus Terminal

  • Northeastern University

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: 100 Spg Gdn St

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.

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • 100 Spg Gdn St

  • 100 Spg Gdn St

  • Philadelphia Mills - RED Lot

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Philadelphia by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Philadelphia to Boston?

Search Bus Tickets
0

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android