- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and strong family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Cheapest price
$40
Average price
$49
Fastest journey
3 h 5 m
Average duration
3 h 5 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
158 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Charlottesville, VA 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 Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC will cost around $49 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $40.
Of the 2 buses that leave Charlottesville, VA for Washington, DC on Sun, Jun 07, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 07 the direct buses cover the 158 km distance in an average of 3 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 5 m .
On Sun, Jun 07 the slowest buses will take 3 h 5 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.

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Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $17. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 35m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $17, and a flight costs an average of $283.
Distance: 98 miles (158 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$39 Average price | $38 Average price Cheapest | $472 Average price | $23 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 32m Average total duration 3h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 5m Average total duration Fastest 2h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 51m Average total duration 2h 51m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 19m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC:
A train is $0.81 (€0.66) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC costing on average $39 (€32).
A train is $434 (€354) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC costing on average $472 (€385).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Flight takes on average 2h 51m.
Bus takes on average 3h 2m.
You'll arrive about -1h -43m sooner (3h 2m by bus vs 2h 19m by car) and save roughly $-15.59 (€-12.70) compared to fuel and tolls ($39 (€32) vs $23 (€19)). 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 Greyhound, Infobus.
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 Greyhound | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 10:20AM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 02:00PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:15PM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 02:55PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $62 |
The table below shows live departures for Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC buses for today, Saturday, June 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:15 AM Charlottesville, Union Station, VA | 3h05 | 10:20 AM 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 train, bus, 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 Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 2m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $23 (€18) but you can travel from only $17 (€14) by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 05:50, the last at 19:01. The fastest bus covers the 98 miles (158 km) distance in 2h 27m.
Distance 98 miles (158 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 2m |
Cheapest ticket price $23 (€18) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 2h 27m |
First bus 5:50 AM |
Last bus 7:01 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 35 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 world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and strong family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Flagship Smithsonian museum exploring African American history, culture, and community through powerful permanent exhibitions and major national narratives.
Premier art museum with masterworks from the Middle Ages to the modern era, plus sculpture garden and rotating exhibitions in two landmark buildings.
Washington’s essential civic promenade lined with museums and monuments, ideal for first-time visitors and the city’s top walking experience.
Historic waterfront neighborhood known for charming streets, rowhouses, shopping, and canal-side walks; a classic area for exploring on foot.
Scenic reservoir loop famous for memorials and cherry blossoms, especially photogenic at sunrise, sunset, and spring bloom season.
Washington’s signature sausage, typically smoky and spicy, served on a bun with mustard, onions, and chili. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet-tangy sauce strongly associated with Washington carryout culture, often paired with fried chicken or wings. It is a distinctive local comfort-food staple.
Sweet blue crab from the Chesapeake region, commonly served steamed and heavily seasoned. It reflects the Mid-Atlantic seafood traditions closely tied to Washington.
A celebrated historic restaurant near the White House, known for oysters, crab cakes, and classic Washington political dining ambiance.
Widely acclaimed Indian restaurant with a polished atmosphere, famous for refined cooking and one of Washington’s best-known dining rooms.
Well-known French brasserie in Logan Circle, valued for its classic menu, energetic scene, and stylish long-established popularity.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining in central areas, though casual food is still manageable.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants with table service. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or 10-15% for taxis, and USD 1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
Official public transport app
L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Charlottesville, VA 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.

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