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Columbus to Washington DC bus

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Columbus - Washington DC Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 5 intercity buses per day from Columbus to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Columbus to Washington DC usually takes around 14 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 10 hours and 55 minutes.

Distance326 mi (525 km)
Shortest duration10h 55m
Cheapest price$48.98
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines1

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Columbus to Washington DC cost $63.00 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

$120$80$40MarApr

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Columbus to Washington DC is expected to be between $62 and $107. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is April 10, 2024, when tickets are available for April 10, 2024. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $64.

Monthly avg. prices

$100$80$60$40$20AMJJASONDJFM
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Columbus to Washington DC, mark your calendar for May. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just $72. However, taking the bus from Columbus to Washington DC during July is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of $99. The best way to find deals on a trip in July is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

$175$140$105$70$353020100

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 28 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $134.14 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Columbus to Washington DC?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Columbus to Washington DC. Greyhound connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Greyhound514h 30m$96.52
  • 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 Columbus to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 14 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from $49.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 14 hours and 30 minutes to cover the 326 miles from Columbus to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 10 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.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Columbus 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.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 8:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Columbus to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 5 scheduled buses that travel from Columbus 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.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Columbus, OH to Washington DC; ticket prices start at $104.00.

City Information

Columbus

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

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?

Bus Terminal - 111 E Town St  - CMHGLI2-0

Image credit: Antony-22

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Columbus, OH (Bus Station)

The Bus Terminal at 111 E Town St is Columbus’ hub for intercity bus service on a variety of carriers including Jefferson Lines, Greyhound, Miller Transportation, Barons Bus Lines, and Amtrak Thruway. Conveniently located in downtown Columbus, the station’s area features several parking lots, hotels, and fast food restaurants. The waiting area within the station building includes restrooms, vending machines, and even arcade-style games if you’re prone to boredom while waiting for the bus. From this station, you can travel to destinations including Cincinnati, Chicago, and New York.

All bus stations in Columbus:

  • Columbus, OH (Bus Station)

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

  • Dupont Cir CT Ave

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