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Cheap bus tickets from State College to Philadelphia

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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State College to Philadelphia Bus Schedule

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

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from State College to Philadelphia.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$59.93
Avg. Price
$78.00
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
4
Daily Trips
1
Duration
Duration
5h 46m
Duration
4h 55m

Bus from State College to Philadelphia: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from State College to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from State College to Philadelphia usually takes around 5 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Fullington Trailways bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance153 mi (247 km)
Shortest duration3h 45m
Cheapest price$37.97
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines3

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from State College to Philadelphia

(Based on 17 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Sunita

November 18, 2024- Business

Greyhound

NA

5.0

Faria

August 28, 2024- Solo travel

Greyhound

Pros: On time arrival. Cons: Consistent with on arrival/departure time by greyhound.

5.0

Annalise

November 17, 2023- Visiting family

Fullington Trailways

Pros: It was comfortable. Cons: Traffic. Tips: No.

5.0

Marco

May 5, 2023- Solo travel

OurBus

Pros: comfort and ease to get to airport. Cons: none.

5.0

Ziyi

May 5, 2023

OurBus

Pros: The bus driver was very responsible, making sure everyone was getting off at the right location by double checking with us before departing from every stop. Cons: The Wi-Fi is not stable.

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How much is a bus ticket from State College to Philadelphia?

Bus tickets for a trip from State College to Philadelphia cost $48.45 on average. Tickets cheaper than $48.45 are an excellent bargain. 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 State College to Philadelphia by travel date

$90$60$30JanFeb

If you're planning to travel by bus from State College to Philadelphia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $43 to $79. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on January 28, 2025.

If you’re looking to travel to Philadelphia this week, bus tickets are available starting at $43.

Monthly avg. prices

$75$60$45$30$15FMAMJJASONDJ
Taking the bus from State College to Philadelphia is usually cheapest in January, when the average ticket price is only $45. If you're planning to take the bus from State College to Philadelphia during November, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $72. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

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 $31.65 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from State College to Philadelphia?

There are 3 bus lines from State College to Philadelphia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. Greyhound offers the most choice in regards to departure times, with a couple of different times on its daily bus schedule.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Fullington Trailways26h 14m$61.01
Greyhound25h 52m$59.88
OurBus14h 19m$52.68

  • Originally founded in 1908, Fullington Trailways is one of the oldest transportation companies in the United States. Today, it's one of the leading intercity bus carriers within the Trailways network and provides cheap, reliable bus service to several metropolitan destinations, including New York City and Philadelphia. All coaches are equipped with clean restrooms, and Fullington Trailways earned a 2022 Wanderu Passengers' Choice Award for their helpful crew.

  • 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 2 bus trips from State College to Philadelphia every day, with the average journey taking around 5 hours and 52 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from $38.

  • 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 $50, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from State College to Philadelphia if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from State College to Philadelphia

The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 153 miles from State College to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 45 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Philadelphia. 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.

The first bus leaves at 5:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from State College to Philadelphia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from State College to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 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 State College to Philadelphia; ticket prices start at $78.00.

City Information

State College

State College, PA - SCL-0

Image credit: emilee rader

Link to image attribution
State College, PA - SCL-1

Image credit: Unsplash

State College, PA - SCL-2

Image credit: Unsplash

State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).

One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.

If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.

While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.

Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in State College?

Main departure station: 152 N Atherton St.

Buses to Philadelphia leave from 3 stations in State College.

All bus stations in State College:

  • 152 N Atherton St.

  • State College (Airport - SCE)

  • Bus Terminal - 152 N Atherton St

Where does the bus arrive in Philadelphia?

Main arrival station: Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop

Buses arrive in Philadelphia at 8 stations, depending on which bus line you are traveling with.

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • 199 Spring Garden St

  • Logan Square

  • Philadelphia Mills - RED Lot

  • Fashion District Philadelphia

  • Philadelphia International Airport

  • Schuylkill Ave between Chestnut & Walnut

Get around town with Moovit

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