- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, famous for dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and major family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Cheapest price
$58
Average price
$76
Fastest journey
4 h 35 m
Average duration
4 h 48 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
375 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC will cost around $76 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $58.
Of the 10 buses that leave Raleigh, NC for Washington, DC on Mon, Jun 01, 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 01 the direct buses cover the 375 km distance in an average of 4 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 35 m .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest buses will take 5 h 10 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.









FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $39. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 16m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $39, and a flight costs an average of $106.
Distance: 233 miles (375 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$62 Average price Cheapest | $94 Average price | $356 Average price | $54 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 56m Average total duration 5h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 38m Average total duration 6h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 16m Average total duration Fastest 1h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 22m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.3kg 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 Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC:
A bus is $32 (€26) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC costing on average $94 (€75).
A bus is $294 (€237) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC costing on average $356 (€287).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 26m.
Train takes on average 6h 8m.
You'll arrive about -2h -4m sooner (5h 26m by bus vs 4h 22m by car) and save roughly $-7.65 (€-6.16) compared to fuel and tolls ($62 (€50) vs $54 (€43)). 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, FlixBus.
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 12:55AM | Arrival Time 05:35AM | Duration 4h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 06:40AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:40AM | Arrival Time 06:55AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:50AM | Arrival Time 08:15AM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:50AM | Arrival Time 10:35AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:20PM | Arrival Time 01:55AM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55PM | Arrival Time 03:05AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $45 |
The table below shows live departures for Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC buses for today, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:45 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 5h40 | 4:25 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:00 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 5h35 | 6:35 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 3:15 PM Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon), NC | 5h35 | 8:50 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:15 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 4h50 | 11:05 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:20 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 4h35 | 1:55 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:55 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 5h10 | 3:05 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, June 1 | |||||
![]() | 12:55 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 4h40 | 5:35 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 1:40 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 5h15 | 6:55 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 2:50 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 5h25 | 8:15 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:50 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 4h45 | 10:35 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC run on average 9 times per day, taking around 5h 26m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $39 (€31) if you book in advance.
There are 9 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:30, the last at 22:45. The fastest bus covers the 233 miles (375 km) distance in 4h 35m.
Distance 233 miles (375 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 26m |
Cheapest ticket price $39 (€31) |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 9 |
Fastest bus 4h 35m |
First bus 12:30 AM |
Last bus 10:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 49 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, famous for dinosaur fossils, gemstones, and major family-friendly exhibits on Earth and life sciences.
Premier art museum with masterworks from the Middle Ages to modern times, plus a celebrated sculpture garden and strong temporary exhibitions.
Iconic Smithsonian museum covering aviation and space exploration, with historic aircraft and spacecraft that make it a top draw in the city.
Washington’s signature civic landscape lined with museums and monuments, ideal for walking and the city’s top first-time visitor area.
Historic waterfront neighborhood known for cobblestone streets, rowhouses, shopping, and scenic walks along the canal and river.
Scenic walking area around the water framed by major memorials, especially famous during cherry blossom season.
Washington’s signature sausage, usually a coarse smoked pork-and-beef link served on a bun with chili, mustard, and onions. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet, tangy, slightly spicy sauce closely associated with Washington carryout culture, commonly served with fried chicken and fries. It is a distinctive local condiment.
An oversized late-night pizza slice popular in nightlife areas of Washington, especially Adams Morgan. It is a recognizable local fast-food tradition.
An established, upscale-casual saloon near the White House known for oysters, crab cakes, and other classic Washington and Mid-Atlantic dishes.
Acclaimed Indian restaurant known for refined cooking and a polished dining room. A standout for one of Washington’s most celebrated restaurant experiences.
One of Washington’s best-known restaurants, offering classic French bistro fare in an elegant, energetic space that is popular with locals and visitors.
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; 20%+ for great service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis about 10-15%, and hotel staff a few dollars.
Official public transport app
L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Raleigh, 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.

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