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Cheap bus tickets from Philadelphia to Washington DC

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Philadelphia to Washington DC Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 39 daily train trips available from Philadelphia to Washington.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
TRY 1,173.10
Avg. Price
TRY 3,462.88
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
27
Daily Trips
39
Duration
Duration
3h 29m
Duration
1h 55m

Bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC: Journey Information

There are 27 intercity buses per day from Philadelphia to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC usually takes around 3 hours and 28 minutes, but the fastest BBBus bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Distance123 mi (198 km)
Shortest duration2h 20m
Cheapest priceTRY 504.86
Trips per day25
Most frequent serviceFlixBus US
Bus lines5

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Philadelphia to Washington

(Based on 226 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Claude

October 23, 2025- Visiting family

FlixBus US

Pros: It was very convenient and safe ride . Cons: Nothing. Tips: I would recommend, very convenient.

4.0

Tamra

October 10, 2025- Visiting family

Greyhound

Pros: It was at a good time. Cons: N/A. Tips: bring a neck pillow.

5.0

Jerry

August 6, 2025- Visiting family

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: I liked everything about my trip awesome, everything about the trip was excellent, also the driver was very good I complimented her on her professionalism, I told her to keep up the great work. Cons: Peter pan is the best everything ran smoothly i have no complaints. Tips: I will tell them to take Peter pan when they are traveling.

5.0

Enos

July 21, 2025- Visiting friends

Peter Pan Lines

Pros: Great service. Cons: Wifi was on and off every 5min. Tips: Good service.

5.0

Laticia

June 2, 2025- Vacation

Peter Pan Lines

Driver was friendly!

Philadelphia to Washington DC Route Map

Philadelphia Washington
See more details

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Philadelphia to Washington DC cost TRY 1,108.26 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 Philadelphia to Washington DC by travel date

TRY 2,526TRY 1,684TRY 842NovNov

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Philadelphia to Washington DC is expected to be between TRY 968 and TRY 1,979. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is November 18, 2025, when tickets are available for November 18, 2025. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just TRY 1,053.

Monthly avg. prices

TRY 2,105TRY 1,684TRY 1,263TRY 842TRY 421DJFMAMJJASON
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Philadelphia to Washington DC, mark your calendar for October. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just TRY 1,179. However, taking the bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC during December is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of TRY 1,684. The best way to find deals on a trip in December is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.

Prices as travel date approaches

TRY 2,105TRY 1,684TRY 1,263TRY 842TRY 4213020100

The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 15 days in advance to save TRY 381.49 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC?

There are 5 bus lines from Philadelphia to Washington DC available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 9 daily trips, FlixBus US 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
BBBus32h 30mTRY 1,052.68
FlixBus US92h 57mTRY 1,366.37
Greyhound84h 2mTRY 1,263.21
OurBus23h 1mTRY 881.30
Peter Pan Lines83h 48mTRY 1,215.21

  • Book BBBus from Philadelphia to Washington from TRY 758. There are 3 trips per day offered by BBBus from Philadelphia to Washington DC and you can expect on average to pay for a BBBus ticket to Washington. In Philadelphia, BBBus departs to Washington from 100 Spring Garden St . In Washington, BBBus arrives at 2230 New York Ave NE .

    An average trip on BBBus from Philadelphia to Washington takes 2 hours and 30 minutes , while the fastest available BBBus trip will get you to Washington in 2 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, BBBus offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Washington.

  • 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 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 8 bus trips from Philadelphia to Washington every day, with the average journey taking around 4 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington usually start from TRY 757.

  • OurBus is an intercity bus company based in New York City. OurBus provides cheap bus tickets to some of the most popular cities in the United States. All OurBus coaches come equipped with a generous roster of amenities, including extra legroom, freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary bottled water. With cheap bus tickets starting from TRY 632, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from Philadelphia to Washington if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

  • Book Peter Pan Lines from Philadelphia to Washington from TRY 505. There are 8 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 3 hours and 48 minutes , while the fastest available Peter Pan Lines trip will get you to Washington in 2 hours and 20 minutes .

    On weekends, Peter Pan Lines offers 8 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Washington.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Washington DC

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 3 hours and 28 minutes to cover the 123 miles from Philadelphia to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 20 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.

With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, 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 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Philadelphia to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 27 scheduled buses that travel from Philadelphia to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 25 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 TRY 463.18.

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: 199 Spring Garden St

Buses to Washington DC leave from 8 stations in Philadelphia.

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • 520 North Christopher Columbus

  • NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St

  • 100 Spring Garden St

  • Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop

  • Spring Garden Market-Frankford Line Station

  • Philadelphia Mills - RED Lot

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

  • 2230 New York Ave NE

  • Stadium-Armory Metro Station

Get around town with Moovit

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