Cheap bus tickets from Columbus, OH to Washington, DC

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Bus from Columbus, OH to Washington DC: Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from Columbus, OH to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Columbus, OH to Washington DC usually takes around 11 hours and 18 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 10 hours,

Distance
326 mi (525 km)
Shortest duration
10h
Cheapest price
$67.47
Trips per day
0
Most frequent service
Greyhound
Bus lines
2

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Columbus to Washington Bus Schedule

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How much is a bus ticket from Columbus, OH to Washington DC?

Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus, OH to Washington DC cost $72.97 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 Columbus, OH to Washington DC by travel date

$105$70$35AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Columbus, OH to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $73 to $101. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 14, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at $78.

Average bus ticket prices from Columbus, OH to Washington DC by month

$125$100$75$50$25JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Columbus, OH to Washington DC is usually cheapest in September, when the average ticket price is only $90. If you're planning to take the bus from Columbus, OH to Washington DC during December, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $114. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$150$120$90$60$3001020

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 21 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $69.16 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Columbus to Washington?

There are multiple buses that travel from Columbus to Washington, including Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound310h 37m$108.97
FlixBus US212h 48m$110.02
  • 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 3 bus trips from Columbus, OH to Washington, DC every day, with the average journey taking around 10 hours and 37 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington, DC usually start from $67.47.

    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
  • 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 Columbus, OH to Washington, DC, and the average ticket for this route costs only $110.02.

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Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Columbus to Washington

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus, OH 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.

TRIPS PER DAY

5

DIRECT TRIPS

0

The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 18 minutes to cover the 326 miles from Columbus, OH to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 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)

326

DISTANCE (KM)

525

The first bus leaves at 12:40am and the last bus leaves at 8:50pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus, OH to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

12:40am

LATEST BUS

8:50pm

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.

MOST CROWDED

Tuesday

LEAST CROWDED

Wednesday

City Information

Columbus, OH

CMH-0CMH-1CMH-2

Brimming with life and cultural events, Columbus is the affordable destination of your dreams! Featuring a budding art scene, Columbus attracts art lovers through the exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Arts where children and adults alike can indulge in thought-provoking artworks. Fans of sports should not miss out on a baseball game at Huntington Park, which offers reasonably-priced tickets; it is also rarely crowded. For those who simply want to stroll about, the German Village offers a quaint and scenic view rarely seen elsewhere.

As the sun goes down, dig deeper into the German heritage of Columbus by enjoying a traditional schnitzel dish at the Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus. When you are looking for a quick snack, Bodega serves some of the best sandwiches in town, and there are up to 47 varieties of craft beers for you to choose from.

Columbus’ busiest bus station is located on E Town St., and it offers intercity bus trips to Cleveland, Chicago, New York and many other cities. The Columbus Union Station was the first union station ever built, and it’s served by Amtrak’s Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited train lines. The local airport, the John Glenn Columbus International Airport, is located on the east side of the city, 6 miles east of Downtown. It provides access to 31 other airports.

Washington, DC

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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 Columbus?

Main departure station: Columbus (E Mound St)

Columbus, OH has two bus stations with service to Washington, DC.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus (E Mound St)
  • 100 E Rich St

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

Need a return trip from Washington to Columbus?

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