Question 1

What is the cheapest bus from Philadelphia to NYC?

Accepted Answer

If you’re the first person to buy a Megabus ticket for a particular trip, you can find a bus ticket from Philadelphia to NYC for just $1. Otherwise, the average price for a bus ticket from Philly to NYC is around $8.

Question 2

Is it better to take a bus, train, or plane from Philadelphia to New York?

Accepted Answer

There are a few key factors to consider when choosing between the bus or train on the route from Philly to NYC.
Time
On average, both bus and train travel methods will take about an hour and a half to complete the journey. However, trains are significantly more consistent, as they don't have to worry about traffic jams or rush hour. If you plan carefully, your bus trip can be as fast as an hour, but it's more likely to take two hours or more around rush hour, near holidays, or with construction. Most non-stop flights take about an hour, but remember that this doesn't include the time to check a bag or make it through security.
Price
Bus tickets are almost always cheaper than train fares on this route, with the majority of bus trips costing $20 or less. Train tickets can be less than $10 if you plan well in advance, but on average they'll cost closer to $40. Luckily, with Wanderu, you can compare schedules and carriers to find the cheapest price. If you're set on taking the train, we'll help to make it as affordable as possible! Plane tickets, meanwhile, tend to average $100 or more for a direct flight.
Amenities
These days, buses and trains are both equipped with plenty of features to make the journey as smooth and comfortable as possible. Both will typically have free WiFi access and a bathroom, though trains tend to go the extra mile with additional outlets and sometimes have snacks available for purchase. Regardless, both offer far more legroom than a standard plane seat, though may not offer complimentary pretzels.
Depart and Arrive Locations
If you want to leave and arrive in specific areas in the city, bus travel is your best bet. Buses stop at the main stations in both cities, like Port Authority, but also go to smaller stations and curbside stops. You'll have 10+ locations to choose from in either city, depending on which carrier you choose. Trains are more limited, with only two station options in Philly and one in New York. You can choose to fly out of the Philadelphia Airport to either JFK Airport, La Guardia, or Newark Airport.
Eco-Friendly Travel
If you're looking for the greenest way to get from Philadelphia to New York, trains are the way to go. They can carry the greatest number of passengers while emitting far fewer carbon emissions. Buses are next in line, especially when full, as the more passengers that are on a vehicle the less energy is used per passenger. Unsurprisingly, planes come dead last in this category. You'd likely emit fewer emissions simply driving yourself rather than flying, especially for such a short journey.

Question 3

What is the best way to get from Philly to New York?

Accepted Answer

The best way to get from Philly to New York is by bus. Bus tickets generally cost just $9, and the trips take as little as 1 hour and 49 minutes. Trains from Philly to New York typically cost around $71 and still take at least 1 hour and 10 minutes, although most trips take longer. Flights are significantly more expensive, and take longer than both trains and buses when accounting for time to get through security.

Question 4

Can you take a day-trip from Philadelphia to NYC?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a day-trip from Philadelphia to NYC is very doable. Buses take as little as 1 hour and 50 minutes to reach NYC from Philly, and bus trips in the opposite direction can be even faster. With over 100 trips going in each direction every day, you’ll have plenty of time to explore NYC and catch a bus back to Philly. The last bus of the day departs New York City at 11:00 p.m.

Question 5

What is the main bus station in NYC?

Accepted Answer

The main bus station in New York City is the Port Authority Bus Terminal, often referred to simply as the Port Authority. Located in Midtown Manhattan at 625 8th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, the Port Authority Bus Terminal is one of the largest and busiest bus terminals in the United States.
New York W 34th St & 12th Ave and 11th Ave (btw. 35th & 36th St.) are also popular bus stations, as they're located very close to Port Authority and downtown New York. If you don't mind being a few blocks away from Port Authority, these stations tend to be less crowded and you may be able to snag a better deal.

Question 6

Other ways to get from Philadelphia to New York

Accepted Answer

There are usually 51 daily train trips available from Philadelphia to New York.

Question 7

What is the busiest day of the week to travel by bus?

Accepted Answer

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in New York. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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.

Question 8

What bus companies travel from Philadelphia to New York?

Accepted Answer

There are 8 bus lines from Philadelphia to New York available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 32 daily trips, Megabus usually has the most buses running on any given day, while OurBus frequently has the best deals. Peter Pan Lines, on the other hand, has the most options for where you arrive in New York City - including Port Authority, the largest bus station in the city.

Question 9

How much is a bus ticket from Philadelphia to New York?

Accepted Answer

Bus tickets for a trip from Philadelphia to New York cost $8.50 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.

Question 10

How many buses are there each day?

Accepted Answer

There are 162 scheduled buses that travel from Philadelphia to New York every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 158 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 to New York; ticket prices start at $11.00.

Question 11

How long is the bus ride from Philadelphia to New York?

Accepted Answer

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 42 minutes to cover the 81 miles from Philadelphia to New York. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour 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.

Question 12

When do the earliest and latest buses leave Philadelphia?

Accepted Answer

The first bus leaves at 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Philadelphia to New York, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

Question 13

Get around town with Moovit

Accepted Answer

Find the best way to get to and from any station in New York by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Question 14

Where does the bus arrive in New York?

Accepted Answer

Buses arrive in New York at 15 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

Question 15

Where does the bus leave from in Philadelphia?

Accepted Answer

Buses to New York leave from 14 stations in Philadelphia.

Question 16

Prices as travel date approaches

Accepted Answer

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 save money on bus tickets and ensure availability, it's always best to book in advance.

Question 17

Average prices by travel date

Accepted Answer

If you're planning to travel by bus from Philadelphia to New York in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from to . The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on .
If you’re looking to travel to New York this week, bus tickets are available starting at .

Question 18

Monthly average prices

Accepted Answer

Taking the bus from Philadelphia to New York is usually cheapest in , when the average ticket price is only . If you're planning to take the bus from Philadelphia to New York during , keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of . However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Question 19

Need a return trip from New York to Philadelphia?

Accepted Answer

Search Bus Tickets

Question 20

Helpful info about taking the bus from Philadelphia to New York

Accepted Answer

Heading to NYC from Philadelphia? Here's everything you need to know:
To kick off your trip, you can choose between 13 stations in Philadelphia. The most popular options are the stations at 520 North Christopher Columbus and NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St, both of which are in downtown Philly and only about a mile from City Hall. The station at North Christopher Columbus is on the East side of the city, which could technically shave off an extra mile or two from your journey, but the trip is typically around an hour and a half regardless of your depart station.
Leaving behind the historic streets of Philadelphia, you'll soon find yourself passing through the verdant suburbs of Pennsylvania, where quaint towns and lush greenery line the route. You may even see an iconic Amish carriage near some of the more rural streets. If you're planning to enjoy the window views, try to snag a seat on the left side of the bus for early departures and right side for evening trips. Since the route is predominantly to the Northeast, usually on I-95, this strategy saves you from having a sunny spotlight for the whole journey.
Crossing state lines into New Jersey, you'll witness a shift in scenery as the landscape transitions to a mix of urban sprawl and natural beauty. Amidst the industrial complexes and bustling highways, patches of farmland and winding rivers offer moments of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the journey. Passing through Newark gives you an excellent view of the New York skyline, with the best views from the right side of the bus.
You may have some extra time to enjoy the view, as there's always potential traffic congestion around the outskirts of New York City. The busiest stretches of the journey are commonly encountered as near the Lincoln Tunnel or the George Washington Bridge, where delays are not uncommon due to the high volume of vehicles entering the city. If you can, try to avoid trips that have you entering the city around rush hour in the early mornings or late afternoons.
New York offers 14 stations to choose from, with Port Authority Bus Station and New York W 34th St & 12th Ave being the most popular. The two are less than a mile apart, and both are very close to the city center, so don't worry about changing it up if it means a better deal!

Question 21

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

Accepted Answer

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.