Cheap bus tickets from Newark, NJ to Washington, DC

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Bus from Newark, NJ to Washington DC: Journey Information

There are 19 intercity buses per day from Newark, NJ to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Newark, NJ to Washington DC usually takes around 5 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 4 hours,

Distance
198 mi (318 km)
Shortest duration
4h
Cheapest price
$10.99
Trips per day
13
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
3

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Newark to Washington Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 37 daily train trips available from Newark, NJ to Washington, DC.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$52.21CheaperAvg. Price$180.16
Daily Trips19Daily Trips37
Duration5h 11mDuration3h 16mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Newark to Washington (Based on 122 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Kizzy

July 1, 2026 - Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines
Pros: Cleanliness of Bus and restroom, on time and safety... Cons: Use the Tv's i was expecting to watch something.... if there was wifi I wasn't aware ....

4.0

Stefany

June 26, 2026 - Visiting family

FlixBus US
Pros: How comfortable it was Cons: It’s getting better Tips: Good trip

5.0

Jacqueline

January 17, 2026 - Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

4.0

MD

December 27, 2025 - Visiting friends

Peter Pan Lines

5.0

Esaie

December 23, 2025 - Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Newark to Washington Route Map

Route map from Newark to Washington

How much is a bus ticket from Newark, NJ to Washington DC?

Bus tickets for a trip from Newark, NJ to Washington DC cost $39.72 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 Newark, NJ to Washington DC by travel date

$75$50$25AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Newark, NJ to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $33 to $63. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 2, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at $36.

Average bus ticket prices from Newark, NJ to Washington DC by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Newark, NJ to Washington DC is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only $44. If you're planning to take the bus from Newark, NJ to Washington DC during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $57. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$1501020

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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $25.28 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Newark to Washington?

There are multiple buses that travel from Newark to Washington, including FlixBus US, Greyhound, Peter Pan Lines. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US94h 59m$50.31
Greyhound95h 17m$56.85
Peter Pan Lines26h 3m$24.87
  • 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 9 trips per day from Newark, NJ to Washington, DC, and the average ticket for this route costs only $50.31.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • 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 Newark, NJ to Washington, DC every day, with the average journey taking around 5 hours and 17 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington, DC usually start from $27.98.

    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
  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Newark, NJ to Washington, DC from $10.99. There are 2 trips per day offered by Peter Pan Lines from Newark, NJ to Washington DC and you can expect on average to pay $24.87 for a Peter Pan Lines ticket to Washington, DC. In Newark, NJ, Peter Pan Lines departs to Washington, DC from 1 Raymond Plaza W. In Washington, DC, Peter Pan Lines arrives at Union Station.

    An average trip on Peter Pan Lines from Newark, NJ to Washington, DC takes 6 hours and 3 minutes, while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Washington, DC in 5 hours and 45 minutes.

    On weekends, Peter Pan Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $10.99 for a weekend trip to Washington, DC.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Newark to Washington

Bus tickets from Newark to Washington, DC cost an average of $14, although tickets can be found for as cheap as $1. There are three bus companies that service this route — BoltBus, Greyhound and OurBus. Of those, OurBus has the cheapest average ticket at about $14.

Because the fastest possible duration for this route is 4 hours and 15 minutes one-way, planning a day-trip from Newark to Washington is probably not a good idea. The earliest bus for Washington departs at 7:00 a.m. EDT, and the latest return leaves around 11:00 p.m., so a day-trip is possible — however, the day would be exhausting and you might run out of time to visit all the sites in DC.

There are 8 Amtrak lines that travel regularly between Newark and Washington, DC, including the Amtrak Acela, Northeast Regional and Amtrak Cardinal. All of these routes are direct, with no necessary transfers, and the fastest possible train trip takes around 2 hours and 37 minutes to get to DC. The average ticket costs about $111 for this route, with the earliest train departing at 3:00 a.m. EDT and the latest train leaving at 10:00 p.m. EDT.

There are 19 scheduled buses that travel from Newark, NJ to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 13 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 Newark, NJ to Washington DC; ticket prices start at $17.

TRIPS PER DAY

19

DIRECT TRIPS

13

The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 11 minutes to cover the 198 miles from Newark, NJ to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours. 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)

198

DISTANCE (KM)

318

The first bus leaves at 12:25am and the last bus leaves at 11:10pm. To see the times for all buses from Newark, NJ to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

12:25am

LATEST BUS

11:10pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Newark, NJ to Washington DC 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, 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

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Tuesday

City Information

Newark, NJ

Newark, NJ - NWK-0Newark, NJ - NWK-1Newark, NJ - NWK-2

As the most populous city in New Jersey, Newark offers some excellent museums, parks and restaurants that you can enjoy year-round. Art lovers should stop by the famous Newark Museum to enjoy a rich collection of works by American artists and sculptors. History buffs should check out the New Jersey Historical Society for ongoing exhibitions documenting the state’s rich history.

Located by the Passaic River, Newark offers various places where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll by the water. For the best views, head over to the city’s Riverfront Park near the hip Ironbound neighborhood. If you’re seeking more outdoor enjoyment, check out Branch Brook Park where you will find various lakes and plenty of cherry blossoms.

Newark is one of the biggest travel hubs in the United States, which makes it very easily accessible via all types of transportation. The Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the three airports that serves the New York City metro area, and its close proximity to Newark’s Penn Station makes it easy to reach from anywhere via bus or train.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Newark?

Main departure station: 1 Raymond Plaza W

Newark, NJ has two bus stations with service to Washington, DC.

All bus stations in Newark:

  • 1 Raymond Plaza W
  • 1 Raymond Plaza W

Where does the bus arrive in Washington?

Main arrival 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
  • Dupont Cir CT Ave

Need a return trip from Washington to Newark?

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