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Philadelphia to Washington DC bus

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Philadelphia - Washington DC Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 32 intercity buses per day from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC usually takes around 4 hours, but the fastest FlixBus US bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Shortest duration2h 50m
Cheapest price$5.74
Trips per day23
Most frequent servicePeter Pan Lines
Bus lines4

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Philadelphia to Washington

(Based on 200 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

shiwali

September 2, 2024- Vacation

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: It was good. recommended. Cons: Its good as of now. Tips: worth taking a trip from this bus.

5.0

Ceren

August 26, 2024- Vacation

Greyhound

Pros: The comfortable seats, free movies and wifi. Cons: Nothing. Tips: No.

5.0

Mohamed

August 19, 2024- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Good team wirk

4.0

Jean Jacques

August 10, 2024- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: buses arrive on time. Cons: Give opportunity to a travel to modify his/her trip. Example: if I book a trip for 6 pm and I change my mind for 4 pm and there is a bus for 4pm, that could be possible for a traveler to do that.

5.0

Danica

July 13, 2024- Vacation

Peter Pan Lines

Station in Philadelphia was very very Dirty

Philadelphia to Washington DC Route Map

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC cost $23.16 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 prices by travel date

$30$20$10SepSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $21 to $30. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 24, 2024.

If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at $23.

Monthly average prices

$50$40$30$20$10ONDJFMAMJJAS
Taking the bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only $26. If you're planning to take the bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $34. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

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 27 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $18.61 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

There are 4 bus lines from Philadelphia to Washington DC available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 11 daily trips, Peter Pan Lines 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 US72h 58m$30.45
Greyhound73h 58m$30.97
Megabus73h 0m$28.62
Peter Pan Lines115h 51m$40.58

  • 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 7 trips per day from Philadelphia 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 7 bus trips from Philadelphia to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 3 hours and 58 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from $15.

  • Book Megabus from Philadelphia to Washington from $6. There are 7 trips per day offered by Megabus from Philadelphia to Washington DC and you can expect on average to pay for a Megabus ticket to Washington. In Philadelphia, Megabus departs to Washington from NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St . In Washington, Megabus arrives at Union Station .

    An average trip on Megabus from Philadelphia to Washington takes 3 hours and 0 minutes , while the fastest available Megabus trip will get you to Washington in 2 hours and 50 minutes .

    On weekends, Megabus offers 9 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Washington.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Philadelphia to Washington from $9. There are 11 trips per day offered by Peter Pan Lines from Philadelphia to Washington DC and you can expect on average to pay for a Peter Pan Lines ticket to Washington. In Philadelphia, Peter Pan Lines departs to Washington from NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St and one other station. In Washington, Peter Pan Lines arrives at Union Station .

    An average trip on Peter Pan Lines from Philadelphia to Washington takes 5 hours and 51 minutes , while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Washington in 2 hours and 50 minutes .

    On weekends, Peter Pan Lines offers 15 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Washington.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus companies that offer service between Philly and DC are BoltBus, Greyhound, Megabus, Peter Pan Lines and OurBus. Of those, the cheapest is Greyhound with an average ticket price around $15, followed by OurBus with tickets averaging about $16.
The drive from Philadelphia to DC can take as little as 2 hours 40 minutes by bus or by car, although it may take longer if you’re entering or leaving DC during rush hour. Bus trips typically take between 3 hours and 3 hours 30 minutes to travel this distance, depending on factors like weather, traffic, and whether the bus is direct versus making additional stops.
The train between Philly and Washington, DC typically costs around $79. If you don’t mind a longer commute, consider taking a bus instead. Buses take as little as 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel the same distance, and only cost an average of $13.

The bus takes an average of 4 hours to cover the 123 miles from Philadelphia to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Washington DC at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

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

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Philadelphia to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 32 scheduled buses that travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 23 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 Philadelphia, PA to Washington DC; ticket prices start at $11.00.

City Information

Philadelphia

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.

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 Philadelphia?

Main departure station: NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St

Buses to Washington DC leave from 4 stations in Philadelphia.

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • 520 North Christopher Columbus

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

  • Union Station

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