5.0
Pros: The fact that they let you know how long you have left til you get off is great. Cons: The bathroom smells bad.
4.0
I didn’t like having to wait for people from another bus.
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Journey Information
There are 7 intercity buses per day from Washington DC to Columbia. Traveling by bus from Washington DC to Columbia usually takes around 12 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Wanda Coach bus can make the trip in 9 hours and 29 minutes.
| Distance | 405 mi (652 km) |
| Shortest duration | 9h 29m |
| Cheapest price | $49.90 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Washington to Columbia
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.5
Buses from Washington DC to Columbia
- FlixBus US: 2 daily buses from $54
- Greyhound: 4 daily buses from $47
- Wanda Coach: 2 daily buses from $100
How much is a bus ticket from Washington DC to Columbia?
Bus tickets for a trip from Washington DC to Columbia cost $81.69 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 prices by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Washington DC to Columbia in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $82 to $91. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on April 24, 2024.
If you’re looking to travel to Columbia this week, bus tickets are available starting at $82.
Monthly avg. prices
Bus tickets from Washington DC to Columbia are at their cheapest average price in May. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around $81. On the other hand, traveling on this route during November might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for November trips cost $104, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.
Prices as travel date approaches
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 22 days in advance to save $51.93 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Washington DC to Columbia?
There are 3 bus lines from Washington DC to Columbia available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 4 daily trips, Greyhound usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 18h 46m | $103.59 |
| Greyhound | 4 | 15h 1m | $75.08 |
| Wanda Coach | 2 | 9h 30m | $100.00 |
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 2 trips per day from Washington to Columbia, 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 4 bus trips from Washington to Columbia every day, with the average journey taking around 15 hours and 1 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Columbia usually start from $47.
Wanda Coach is one of the leading Chinatown bus carriers in the U.S. The company offers 2 daily bus trips to and from more than 70 cities across the East Coast and the Midwest. With bus ticket prices starting from $100 and convenient pick-up and drop-off locations, Wanda Coach is one of the preferred bus carriers for passengers looking to travel between the Chinatown districts of Washington and Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 12 hours and 4 minutes to cover the 405 miles from Washington DC to Columbia. However, the fastest bus only takes 9 hours and 29 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.
Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Washington DC to Columbia 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, 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 Washington DC to Columbia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 7 scheduled buses that travel from Washington DC to Columbia 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 Washington DC to Columbia, SC; ticket prices start at $101.00.
City Information
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.
Columbia
As the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia offers plenty of historic attractions and exciting activities that will keep tourists of all ages satisfied. Sitting at the heart of the city is the South Carolina State Museum, which boasts the most impressive collection of permanent and changing exhibits in the state, as well as in the Southeast. One of the top highlights of the museum is its amazing planetarium that has a height of 55 feet. If you are traveling with kids, EdVenture should certainly be on your list. The museum’s prime attraction is a giant 10-year-old with his own fake digestive tracts and vertebrae, allowing kids to explore anatomy with ease. Nature lovers should not miss out on the chance to enjoy an outdoor day at Lake Murray, which features a vast range of activities such as boating, fishing, paddling, etc.
Columbia features an exciting food scene that is brimming with new talents. For an amazing lunch, The Gourmet Shop and their famous chicken salad will be a great choice. If you wish to enjoy a dinner with wine, Lula Drake is the place to be.
Columbia’s principal bus station is located 710-A Buckner Rd on the outskirts of the city. The main Amtrak train station is located on Pulaski St in the heart of downtown near the University of South Carolina campus. Columbia is served by Amtrak’s Silver Service line. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport and it is located five miles southwest of the city.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Washington DC?
Main departure 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
Where does the bus arrive in Columbia?
Main arrival station: Bus Terminal - 710-A Buckner Rd
The Bus Terminal on 710-A Buckner Road is the main intercity bus station in Columbia and is served by several bus companies, including Greyhound and Southeastern Stages. The terminal offers an indoor waiting area with benches, vending machines, and restrooms. Buses leave from this station daily to destinations like Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Baltimore, and Orlando. Transport throughout Columbia is also convenient, as the Comet, a public transit bus service, connects the Columbia Bus Terminal with the Amtrak Station and Columbia's airport.
All bus stations in Columbia:
Bus Terminal - 710-A Buckner Rd
1729 Broad River Rd
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