Cheap bus tickets from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC

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Bus from Richmond, VA to Washington DC: Journey Information

There are 22 intercity buses per day from Richmond, VA to Washington DC. Traveling by bus from Richmond, VA to Washington DC usually takes around 2 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in just one hour and 50 minutes.

Distance
97 mi (156 km)
Shortest duration
1h 50m
Cheapest price
$15.00
Trips per day
22
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
5

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Richmond to Washington Bus Schedule

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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Richmond to Washington (Based on 34 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Victor

July 7, 2026 - Couples trip

Amtrak Thruway
Pros: Personal and service was very good Tips: Arrive early, always is better, you can choose your seat

5.0

Elseba

January 3, 2026 - Solo travel

FlixBus US
Cons: It was smooth!

3.0

STEPHANIE

December 26, 2025 - Business

FlixBus US
Pros: The driver was immediately helpful in telling me where to go and what to do when asked and so were folks waiting in line. The bus arrived in Union station early, which was great at the end of a grueling day of working out-of-state. The bus was on time, which was also great because people were waiting outdoors in the cold for it Cons: Seats are pretty cramped. Everyone was on top of one another and coughing on each other, especially families with young kids who didn't seem to disclose that they'd need extra seating or more space in being accommodated. No charging areas for cellphones seemed to be available. Tips: Ask plenty of questions until you're routed correctly in the right direction

5.0

Emerique

December 12, 2025 - Solo travel

FlixBus US
Pros: Good Cons: NA Tips: You won't regret

5.0

Janet

October 12, 2025 - Business

FlixBus US
Pros: The driver was very nice and helpful. The bus left on time and arrived right on time, and I was on time to work. I will be taking it again soon Cons: Help with luggage Tips: use headphones

Richmond to Washington Route Map

Route map from Richmond to Washington

How much is a bus ticket from Richmond, VA to Washington DC?

Bus tickets for a trip from Richmond, VA to Washington DC cost $25.47 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 Richmond, VA to Washington DC by travel date

$45$30$15AugSep

If you're planning to travel by bus from Richmond, VA to Washington DC in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $22 to $43. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 16, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Washington DC this week, bus tickets are available starting at $24.

Average bus ticket prices from Richmond, VA to Washington DC by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the bus from Richmond, VA to Washington DC is usually cheapest in October, when the average ticket price is only $28. If you're planning to take the bus from Richmond, VA to Washington DC during July, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $35. 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$1001020

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 $11.79 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Richmond to Washington?

There are multiple buses that travel from Richmond to Washington, including FlixBus US, Greyhound, Amtrak Thruway, Megabus. Here is what you should know about the 5 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US122h 9m$32.96
Greyhound72h 1m$36.03
Amtrak Thruway22h 24m$15.36
Megabus12h 20m$28.74
BBBus12h 15m$45.00
  • 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 12 trips per day from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC, and the average ticket for this route costs only $32.96.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • 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 Richmond, VA to Washington, DC every day, with the average journey taking around 2 hours and 1 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Washington, DC usually start from $18.98.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC start at $15. On average, there are 2 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

  • Book Megabus from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC from $28.74. Typically there is one Megabus schedule per day from Richmond, VA to Washington DC and you can expect on average to pay $28.74 for a Megabus ticket to Washington, DC. In Richmond, VA, Megabus departs to Washington, DC from 1500 E Main St. In Washington, DC, Megabus arrives at Union Station.

    An average trip on Megabus from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.

    On weekends, Megabus offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $28.74 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Washington, DC.

  • Book BBBus from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC from $45. Typically there is one BBBus schedule per day from Richmond, VA to Washington DC and you can expect on average to pay $45 for a BBBus ticket to Washington, DC. In Richmond, VA, BBBus departs to Washington, DC from 5221 Brook Rd. In Washington, DC, BBBus arrives at 2230 New York Ave NE.

    An average trip on BBBus from Richmond, VA to Washington, DC takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.

    On weekends, BBBus offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay $45 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Washington, DC.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Richmond to Washington

Yes, there is train service between Richmond and Washington, DC. Amtrak has 4 lines that cover this route: Amtrak Carolinian, Amtrak Northeast Regional, Amtrak Palmetto and Amtrak Silver Service. Between them, those lines provide 10 direct trains per day. Tickets cost an average of $33, and the travel time is about 2.5 hours.

Richmond to Washington, DC makes for a very doable day-trip. A bus trip takes as little as 2 hours from Richmond, and there are regular buses departing in the morning and returning in the evening. The last bus of the day leaves DC as late as 11:50 p.m., meaning you’ll have time for a very full day in the nation’s capital.

Three bus companies have scheduled service to Washington D.C.: • Greyhound offers 11 daily trips, the most out of all the bus carriers available. You can buy a Greyhound bus ticket for around $20 to $25. • Megabus offers five daily trips, the second most out of all the bus carriers available. You can buy a Megabus ticket for an average of around $15. • OurBus offers at least one daily trip for this route. You can buy an OurBus ticket for $10 to $15.

There are 22 scheduled buses that travel from Richmond, VA to Washington DC every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Richmond, VA to Washington DC without transferring. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Richmond, VA to Washington DC; ticket prices start at $15.

TRIPS PER DAY

22

DIRECT TRIPS

22

The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 8 minutes to cover the 97 miles from Richmond, VA to Washington DC. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 50 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.

DISTANCE (MI)

97

DISTANCE (KM)

156

The first bus leaves at 12:05am and the last bus leaves at 10:35pm. To see the times for all buses from Richmond, VA to Washington DC, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

12:05am

LATEST BUS

10:35pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Richmond, VA to Washington DC for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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.

MOST CROWDED

Friday

LEAST CROWDED

Wednesday

City Information

Richmond, VA

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As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

Washington, DC

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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 Richmond?

Main departure station: Main St Station Plaza

Buses to Washington DC leave from 5 stations in Richmond, VA.

All bus stations in Richmond:

  • Main St Station Plaza
  • 17th St and Ambler
  • 1500 E Main St
  • 7519 Staples Mill Rd
  • 5221 Brook Rd

Where does the bus arrive in Washington?

Main arrival station: Union Station

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

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:

  • Union Station
  • Union Station
  • 2230 New York Ave NE

Need a return trip from Washington to Richmond?

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