Cheap bus tickets from Philadelphia to Erie
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Philadelphia to Erie?
There are usually 1 daily train trips available from Philadelphia to Erie.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$87.86 | Avg. Price$198.52 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration15h 52m | Duration13h 48m |
Bus from Philadelphia to Erie: Journey Information
There are 8 intercity buses per day from Philadelphia to Erie. Traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Erie usually takes around 15 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 13 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 297 mi (478 km) |
| Shortest duration | 13h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $65.46 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Philadelphia to Erie?
Bus tickets for a trip from Philadelphia to Erie cost $82.55 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 Philadelphia to Erie by travel date
Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Philadelphia to Erie is expected to be between $73 and $102. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is April 15, 2025, when tickets are available for April 15, 2025. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just $83.
Prices as travel date approaches
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 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $60.92 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Philadelphia to Erie?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Philadelphia to Erie that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 5 scheduled trips per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 5 | 18h 45m | $127.57 |
| Greyhound | 5 | 15h 14m | $96.72 |
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 5 trips per day from Philadelphia to Erie, 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 5 bus trips from Philadelphia to Erie every day, with the average journey taking around 15 hours and 14 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Erie usually start from $65.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Philadelphia to Erie
The bus takes an average of 15 hours and 32 minutes to cover the 297 miles from Philadelphia to Erie. However, the fastest bus only takes 13 hours and 20 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.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Erie 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 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Philadelphia to Erie, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from Philadelphia to Erie 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 Philadelphia to Erie; ticket prices start at $133.00.
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.
Erie
Image credit: Unsplash
Named for the Great Lake it sits upon, Erie is one of Pennsylvania's most picturesque cities. Erie is about halfway between Buffalo and Cleveland and about two hours north of Pittsburgh.
One of the most popular spots to visit, Presque Isle State Park, is a curved peninsula that extends into Lake Erie and creates 11 miles of beaches. Swim on the beaches, birdwatch near some of its lagoons, or tour the Presque Isle Lighthouse for a full day of lakeside exploring. Then, head up to the Port Erie Bicentennial Tower on the bayfront for epic panoramic views of the park and lake beyond.
Discover the city's buzzing nightlife by visiting downtown Erie, where you'll find numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs. Go big with a concert at Erie Insurance Arena, or watch a horse race at the Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
Barons Bus Lines and Jefferson Lines provide affordable bus transportation from Erie to Cleveland, Columbus, Buffalo, and beyond. The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited runs from Chicago through Erie, onward to Boston and New York City. Erie International Airport has a handful of flights to Charlotte and Chicago, but if you're flying from Erie, you'll find more destinations available from Buffalo or Cleveland's airports.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Philadelphia?
Image credit: Dough4872
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 199 Spring Garden St
Philadelphia's Greyhound Bus Terminal is a popular bus station served by several intercity bus companies, including Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Peter Pan Bus Lines. Conveniently located in downtown Philly, you can walk from the bus station to the nearby Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market, and even Independence Hall (home of the Liberty Bell). The station is a comfortable place to begin your bus journey, with a snack bar, restrooms, and vending machines, as well as several nearby parking garages and quick bites. And if your destination is Philadelphia, the Greyhound Bus Terminal makes it easy to start your sightseeing or head to your hotel, thanks to the SEPTA subway stop half a block away.
All bus stations in Philadelphia:
199 Spring Garden St
199 Spring Garden St
Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop
Logan Square
Where does the bus arrive in Erie?
Main arrival station: Bus Terminal - 208 E Bayfront Pkwy
All buses from Philadelphia arrive at one main station in Erie.
All bus stations in Erie:
Bus Terminal - 208 E Bayfront Pkwy
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Erie to Philadelphia?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Philadelphia
- Bus from Philadelphia to Mexico City
$466+
- Bus from Philadelphia to Los Angeles
$372+
- Philadelphia to Hartford Bus
$48+
- Philadelphia to Washington D.C. Bus
$20+
- Philadelphia to Miami
$216+
- Philadelphia to Tampa Bus
$208+
- Philadelphia to Savannah
$161+
- Philadelphia to Boston Bus
$56+
- Philadelphia to Baltimore Bus
$17+
- Bus from Philadelphia to College Park
$32+
- Bus from Philadelphia to Portsmouth
$100+
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
$18+
- Philadelphia to Queens Village Bus
$20+
- Bus from Philadelphia to Lancaster
$40+
- Philadelphia to State College
$68+
- Bus from Philadelphia to Providence
$55+
- Bus from Philadelphia to Houston
$254+
- Philadelphia to Richmond
$70+
Continue by bus from Erie
- Bus from Philadelphia to New York
$18+
- Bus from Pittsburgh to Baltimore
$61+
- Pittsburgh to New York Bus
$69+
- Bus from Reading to New York
$41+
- Bus from Scranton to New York
$39+
- Bus from State College to New York
$75+
- State College to Harrisburg Bus
$38+
- State College to King of Prussia Bus
$66+
- Bus from State College to Philadelphia
$68+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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.