4.0
Pros: Scenic views. Cons: Sitting in assigned seats, wider seats. Tips: Be on time and travel with headphones and neck pillow.
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Rochester to Philadelphia.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$84.64 | Avg. Price$143.60 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips14 | Daily Trips6 |
Duration | Duration10h 48m | Duration12h 31m |
There are 17 intercity buses per day from Rochester to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from Rochester to Philadelphia usually takes around 10 hours and 54 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 8 hours,
Distance | 255 mi (411 km) |
Shortest duration | 8h 0m |
Cheapest price | $55.47 |
Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
Bus lines | 2 |
Average score for buses from Rochester to Philadelphia
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: Scenic views. Cons: Sitting in assigned seats, wider seats. Tips: Be on time and travel with headphones and neck pillow.
Bus tickets for a trip from Rochester to Philadelphia cost $74.49 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.
If you're planning to travel by bus from Rochester to Philadelphia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $71 to $101. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on July 8, 2025.
If you’re looking to travel to Philadelphia this week, bus tickets are available starting at $73.
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 23 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $29.87 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Rochester to Philadelphia that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 18 scheduled trips per day.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
FlixBus US | 18 | 10h 52m | $89.78 |
Greyhound | 2 | 11h 2m | $82.37 |
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 18 trips per day from Rochester 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 2 bus trips from Rochester to Philadelphia every day, with the average journey taking around 11 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from $55.
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 54 minutes to cover the 255 miles from Rochester to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes 8 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 Rochester to Philadelphia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 17 scheduled buses that travel from Rochester to Philadelphia 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 Rochester to Philadelphia; ticket prices start at $74.00.
Perched on the shore on Lake Ontario, Rochester is an idyllic city with a small-town vibe, making it the perfect destination for those looking for some family-friendly fun. Rochester’s pride is Highland Park, which is one of the oldest arboretums in the U.S. Designed by the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the park features idyllic paths cutting through treelines and fragrant lilac bushes. If you wish to marvel at the beauty of the Genesee River’s Gorge, go on a hiking trip on the Genesee Riverway Trail. For more cultural activities, George Eastman Museum, the world’s oldest photography museum, would be a great choice.
Rochester’s food scene features many quirky dishes, including the famous local garbage plate, which features your choice of meat along with decadent sides. For the best garbage plates, you might want to check out Nick Tahou Hots.
The city’s busiest bus station is the Trailways Terminal downtown. The station serves several bus carriers, including New York Trailways, Greyhound and OurBus, among others. The principal Amtrak train station is Louis M. Slaughter Station, which is located just across the street from the bus station. Rochester is served by Amtrak’s Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited and Maple Leaf lines. The city’s commercial air services are served by the Greater Rochester International Airport, located 3 miles southwest of downtown.
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.
Most buses depart from the main station in Rochester.
Rochester Bus Stop
Buses arrive in Philadelphia at 4 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.
199 Spring Garden St
199 Spring Garden St
Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop
Logan Square
$44+
$45+
$23+
$208+
$48+
$31+
$19+
$23+
$103+
$27+
$26+
$17+
$29+
$23+
$15+
$15+
$44+
$38+
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.