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Raleigh to Washington DC bus

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Raleigh - Washington DC Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 10 intercity buses per day from Raleigh to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Raleigh to Washington DC usually takes around 6 hours and 20 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance233 mi (375 km)
Shortest duration4h 55m
Cheapest price$38.98
Trips per day10
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Raleigh to Washington

(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)

4.3

3.0

Carlene

July 16, 2019- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: First time taking the Greyhound bus from the past 10 years. Comfortable. Cons: When we arrived from Raleigh to change buses, no one could tell us the status of the bus to DC. The bus arrived at Richmond just before 9 am when the DC bus was scheduled to depart on the ticket. We were told to wait at a gate and did so for 20 minutes. At 9:20 we were informed of a schedule change. We were told that the bus left at 9 am but no announcement was made. We were rebooked to arrive two hours later. My luggage was taken off the bus from Raleigh and was left on the outside at Richmond. I just happen to see it through the glass from inside. I went out and asked about it and the guy agreed that I should take it. Tips: Stay alert and search for your bus if there is no announcement about a transfer. pay attention to what's happening with the handling of your luggage.

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Raleigh to Washington DC cost $76.67 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 prices by travel date

$90$60$30MarApr

If you're planning to travel by bus from Raleigh to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $77 to $87. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 4, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at $79.

Monthly average prices

$100$80$60$40$20AMJJASONDJFM
Bus tickets from Raleigh to Washington DC are at their cheapest average price in October. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $73. On the other hand, traveling on this route during May might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for May trips cost $87, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

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 21 days in advance to save up to $13.50.

What bus companies travel from Raleigh to Washington DC?

There are 3 bus lines from Raleigh to Washington DC available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 5 daily trips, Greyhound 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 US25h 24m$72.36
Greyhound56h 11m$73.81
Wanda Coach36h 56m$100.00
  • 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 2 trips per day from Raleigh 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 5 bus trips from Raleigh to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from $39.

  • Wanda Coach is one of the leading Chinatown bus carriers in the U.S. The company offers 3 daily bus trips to and from more than 70 cities across the East Coast and the Midwest. With bus ticket prices starting from $100 and convenient pick-up and drop-off locations, Wanda Coach is one of the preferred bus carriers for passengers looking to travel between the Chinatown districts of Raleigh and Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 20 minutes to cover the 233 miles from Raleigh to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 55 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.

Because many passengers travel from Raleigh to Washington DC at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Raleigh to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 10 scheduled buses that travel from Raleigh to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Raleigh to Washington DC without transferring.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Raleigh to Washington DC; ticket prices start at $32.00.

City Information

Raleigh

As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.

Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.

Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city center at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.

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 Raleigh?

Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd - RGHGLI-0

Image credit: Sam Opp

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd

The Bus Terminal on Capital Blvd connects Raleigh to other major cities via bus routes on Greyhound and Southeastern Stages. Popular routes from this station head to Atlanta, New York City, and Washington, DC. Restrooms and a snack bar are available within the station, along with a comfortable seating area. Although the bus terminal is about 2 miles northeast of downtown, local public transit stops right outside the station provide easy access to the rest of Raleigh.

All bus stations in Raleigh:

  • Bus Terminal - 2210 Capital Blvd

  • 1298 Buck Jones Rd (Citgo Gas Station)

  • 3700 New Bern Ave

Where does the bus arrive in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main arrival station: Union Station

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:

  • Union Station

  • 3355 Benning Rd NE

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