Cheap bus tickets from Philadelphia to New York

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bus tickets for a trip from Philadelphia to New York cost $9 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to New York 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, 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.