- Must visit
National Air and Space Museum
This world-class museum presents aviation and space history through iconic aircraft, spacecraft, and hands-on science exhibits.
Cheapest price on Aug 30
€52
Average ticket price on Aug 30
€59
Fastest journey on Aug 30
4 h 35 m
Average journey duration on Aug 30
4 h 43 m
Buses on Aug 30
12
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 €59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €52.
On Sun, Aug 30, we found 12 buses from Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC, including 12 direct services.
On Sun, Aug 30 the direct buses cover the 375 km distance in an average of 4 h 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 35 m .
On Sun, Aug 30 the slowest buses will take 4 h 50 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.

FlixBus
FlixBus






Omio 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 an average ticket price of €39 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 16m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €39, while a flight costs an average of €238.
Distance: 233 miles (375 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€39 Average price Cheapest | €70 Average price | €238 Average price | €44 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 53m Average total duration 5h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 38m Average total duration 6h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 16m Average total duration Fastest 1h 16m Onboard + 2h 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 €30 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC costing on average €70.
A bus is €198 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC costing on average €238.
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 23m.
Train takes on average 6h 8m.
Tickets start at around €39 compared to roughly €44 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €4. The journey takes 5h 23m versus 4h 22m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Greyhound, FlixBus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility 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 €39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:40AM | Arrival Time 06:55AM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €34 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:50AM | Arrival Time 08:15AM | Duration 5h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €34 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:50AM | Arrival Time 10:35AM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €36 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:45AM | Arrival Time 04:25PM | Duration 5h40 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €37 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €36 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:40PM | Arrival Time 07:25PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 5h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €36 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:15PM | Arrival Time 11:05PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €36 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:20PM | Arrival Time 01:55AM | Duration 4h35 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:55PM | Arrival Time 03:05AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €37 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:05PM | Arrival Time 04:10AM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price €45 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:25PM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Mon, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €42 |
The table below shows live departures for Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC buses for today, Saturday, August 29. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | |
FlixBus | 11:25 PM Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon), NC | 5h05 | 4:30 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 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 | |
![]() | 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 | |
![]() | 2:40 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 4h45 | 7:25 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 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 23m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €29 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 23m |
Cheapest ticket price €29 |
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 Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 35 days |
Discover the best of Washington, DC — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington, DC trip today.
This world-class museum presents aviation and space history through iconic aircraft, spacecraft, and hands-on science exhibits.
Housed in a Beaux-Arts building, this museum explores natural wonders with dinosaurs, gems, fossils, and global biodiversity.
A landmark museum documenting African American history and culture through powerful exhibitions, artifacts, and storytelling.
The National Mall is Washington's grand civic promenade, lined with museums, memorials, and classic views ideal for first-time visitors.
Georgetown charms with historic streets, rowhouses, waterfront paths, and independent shops that make it one of the city's best walking areas.
The Tidal Basin loop offers famous cherry blossoms, water views, and easy access to several of Washington's most iconic memorials.
Half-smoke sausage, usually smoked pork and beef, served on a bun with chili, mustard, and onions. It is DC's signature street food, strongly tied to Ben's Chili Bowl.
Jumbo slice is an oversized late-night pizza slice popular in Adams Morgan. It is a recognizable DC nightlife food known for its huge foldable portions.
Mumbo sauce is a sweet tangy red sauce commonly served with fried chicken and wings at DC carryouts. It is a beloved local condiment with roots in Black DC food culture.
Acclaimed fine-dining restaurant focused on Mid-Atlantic ingredients and refined tasting menus in an elegant, contemporary dining room.
Polished seafood institution at the municipal fish market, best known for regional oysters, crab cakes, and classic Chesapeake flavors.
Historic casual landmark famous for half-smokes, chili, and a classic diner feel. A must for trying DC's best-known street food tradition.
DC is pricier than many US cities. Hotels and dining run high in central areas, but Metro and many free museums help balance daily travel costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, more for great service. Taxis usually 10-15%. Cafes: round up or add $1-2.
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.

Most Raleigh, NC to Washington, DC buses use the Raleigh, Bus Station to Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Raleigh, NC and Washington, DC bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Raleigh, Bus Station is 4 km from Raleigh city centre. Public transport options include:
Raleigh, Bus Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Raleigh, Bus Station. ATMs are available at Raleigh, Bus Station.
Ticket office support is available at Raleigh, Bus Station.
Available at Raleigh, Bus Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Raleigh, Bus Station: Station is accessible via ramps.
Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon) is 6 km from Raleigh city centre. Public transport options include:
Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon). ATMs are available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon).
Ticket office support is available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon).
Available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon): Station is accessible for passengers with disabilities.
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