- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the most visited museums in the city, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and major natural science collections.
Cheapest price
$60
Average price
$65
Fastest journey
6 h 20 m
Average duration
6 h 20 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
376 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC will cost around $65 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $60.
Of the 2 buses that leave Chapel Hill, NC for Washington, DC on Mon, Jun 22, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 22 the direct buses cover the 376 km distance in an average of 6 h 20 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 20 m .
On Mon, Jun 22 the slowest buses will take 6 h 20 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $44. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 38m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $44, and a flight costs an average of $108.
Distance: 233 miles (376 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$63 Average price Cheapest | $83 Average price | $340 Average price | $54 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 31m Average total duration 6h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 29m Average total duration 6h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 38m Average total duration Fastest 2h 38m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 25m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC:
A bus is $20 (€16) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC costing on average $83 (€68).
A bus is $277 (€227) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC costing on average $340 (€278).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 6h 1m.
Train takes on average 6h 59m.
You'll arrive about -2h -36m sooner (6h 1m by bus vs 4h 25m by car) and save roughly $-8.60 (€-7.04) compared to fuel and tolls ($63 (€51) vs $54 (€44)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by FlixBus, Infobus, Greyhound.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $110 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 12:50AM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:05PM | Arrival Time 04:05AM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 6h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $57 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:45PM | Arrival Time 10:35AM | Duration 14h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $67 |
The table below shows live departures for Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC buses for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 2:30 PM Chapel Hill, Myrica St / Eubanks Rd, NC | 6h20 | 8:50 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 6h 1m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $44 (€36) if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 22:45. The fastest bus covers the 233 miles (376 km) distance in 6h 20m.
Distance 233 miles (376 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price $44 (€36) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 6h 20m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 10:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Washington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington trip today.
One of the most visited museums in the city, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and major natural science collections.
Flagship museum for aviation and space exploration, featuring iconic aircraft, spacecraft, and interactive exhibits.
Powerful museum covering African American history, culture, and achievements through immersive exhibitions.
The city’s central ceremonial landscape, lined with major museums, memorials, and classic Washington views.
Historic neighborhood of cobbled streets, waterfront paths, and Federal-era architecture, ideal for walking and photos.
Scenic waterfront loop famous for cherry blossoms and close-up access to several major memorials.
Washington’s signature sausage, usually smoky and spicy, served on a bun with chili, mustard, and onions. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet-tangy sauce strongly associated with Washington carryout culture, commonly paired with fried chicken and fries. It is a distinctive local flavor locals recognize immediately.
Regional blue crab from nearby Chesapeake waters, often served steamed and heavily seasoned. It reflects the Mid-Atlantic seafood traditions closely tied to Washington dining.
An established downtown institution known for oysters, crab cakes, and classic American seafood near the White House, with an elegant old-school atmosphere.
Busy, established French brasserie in Logan Circle known for polished service, a classic dining room, and consistently popular bistro dishes.
Historic casual landmark on U Street, famous for half-smokes, chili dogs, and classic Washington comfort food in a lively, nostalgic setting.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining near central areas and major attractions.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. USD 1-2 per drink at bars. Taxis: 10-15% or round up. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Tips are expected for table service.
Official public transport app
L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC -> Union Station, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chapel Hill, NC to Washington, DC buses use the to Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Chapel Hill, NC and Washington, DC bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:
Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: McDonald's (in the station), Shake Shack (in the station)
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and food court.
Ticket office support is available at Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station.
Available at Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need