- Must visit
The Museum at Monticello
Museum at Thomas Jefferson's estate with exhibits on Jefferson, enslaved communities, and the plantation landscape. Best paired with the house visit.
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$33
Fastest journey
2 h 40 m
Average duration
3 h 10 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
137 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA will cost around $33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
Of the 2 buses that leave Fairfax, VA for Charlottesville, VA on Fri, Jun 26, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 26 the direct buses cover the 137 km distance in an average of 3 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 40 m .
On Fri, Jun 26 the slowest buses will take 3 h 40 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 Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $20. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 54m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $20, and a train costs an average of $15.
Distance: 85 miles (137 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$29 Average price Cheapest | $33 Average price | $20 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 30m Average total duration 3h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 24m Average total duration Fastest 1h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA:
A bus is $4 (€3) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA costing on average $33 (€27).
Other travel options to Charlottesville, VA take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 0m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
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 09:50AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 3h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $20 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:50AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $28 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:50AM | Arrival Time 01:59PM | Duration 2h09 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $22 |
The table below shows live departures for Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA buses for today, Thursday, June 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:50 AM Fairfax, VA | 3h40 | 1:30 PM Charlottesville, VA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:50 AM Fairfax, VA | 2h40 | 1:30 PM Charlottesville, VA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $20 (€16) but you can travel from only $15 (€12) 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 85 miles (137 km) distance in 2h 9m.
Distance 85 miles (137 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $20 (€16) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 2h 9m |
First bus 5:50 AM |
Last bus 7:01 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Charlottesville — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Charlottesville trip today.
Museum at Thomas Jefferson's estate with exhibits on Jefferson, enslaved communities, and the plantation landscape. Best paired with the house visit.
University art museum with American, African, Asian, and European works, plus rotating exhibitions. A strong cultural stop near the Lawn.
Specialized museum dedicated to Aboriginal Australian art. It is one of the most distinctive museum experiences in Charlottesville.
Eight-block pedestrian district lined with shops, venues, and historic facades. It is Charlottesville's main strolling area and a top social hub.
Beautiful walkable campus area with Jeffersonian architecture, lawns, gardens, and major university landmarks.
Popular mountain viewpoint area overlooking Charlottesville, especially famous in apple season and for panoramic sunset views.
Salt-cured, often smoked country ham long associated with Virginia. It is a regional staple, served in biscuits, with eggs, or on Southern plates.
A Southern spread made with cheddar, pimentos, and mayonnaise. In Charlottesville, it commonly appears as a dip, sandwich filling, or burger topping.
Flaky Southern biscuits topped with rich gravy, often sausage-based. It is a classic comfort breakfast found across Central Virginia.
A beloved local institution known for fast, affordable bagels and sandwiches. Casual, busy, and deeply woven into everyday Charlottesville life.
An established fine-dining restaurant known for refined New American cuisine, seasonal Virginia ingredients, and a polished yet welcoming atmosphere.
A popular, long-established spot for Spanish small plates, lively energy, and a strong local reputation for quality and atmosphere.
Moderate for U.S. travelers. Casual dining is reasonable, but hotels and upscale meals can be pricey during university events and peak weekends.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for excellent service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff and delivery drivers.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA 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 Charlottesville, VA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Fairfax, VA to Charlottesville, VA buses use the Springfield, Frontier Dr (Franconia-Springfield Metro Station) to Charlottesville, Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Fairfax, VA and Charlottesville, VA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need