- Must visit
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
Estate museum with decorative arts, Russian imperial objects, and formal gardens. Though outside Bethesda proper, it is a major cultural attraction often combined with a Bethesda stay.
Cheapest price
$30
Average price
$30
Fastest journey
1 h 50 m
Average duration
1 h 55 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
162 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD will cost around $30 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $30.
Of the 2 buses that leave Richmond, VA for Bethesda, MD on Tue, Jun 23, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 23 the direct buses cover the 162 km distance in an average of 1 h 55 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 50 m .
On Tue, Jun 23 the slowest buses will take 2 h 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 bus as it is the most popular option from Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $16. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 38m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $16, and a flight costs an average of $355.
Distance: 100 miles (162 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$36 Average price | $34 Average price Cheapest | $391 Average price | $23 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 8m Average total duration Fastest 2h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 17m Average total duration 2h 47m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 50m Average total duration 9h 50m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD:
A train is $2 (€2) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD costing on average $36 (€29).
A train is $358 (€293) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD costing on average $391 (€320).
Other travel options to Bethesda, MD take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 47m.
Flight takes on average 9h 50m.
You'll arrive about -1h -37m sooner (2h 38m by bus vs 2h 1m by car) and save roughly $-12.36 (€-10.12) compared to fuel and tolls ($36 (€29) 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 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 FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 03:20AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 04:20AM | Duration 1h50 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 11:20AM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 02:50PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $22 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 03:55PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $40 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $30 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:20PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 08:20PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $29 |
The table below shows live departures for Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:20 AM Richmond, VA | 2h00 | 11:20 AM Bethesda, MD | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:00 PM Richmond, VA | 2h50 | 2:50 PM Bethesda, MD | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, June 22 | |||||
![]() | 2:30 AM Richmond, VA | 1h50 | 4:20 AM Bethesda, MD | 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 Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD run on average 4 times per day, taking around 2h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $29 (€24) but you can travel from only $16 (€13) by train.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:05, the last at 22:50. The fastest bus covers the 100 miles (162 km) distance in 1h 50m.
Distance 100 miles (162 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price $29 (€24) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 1h 50m |
First bus 12:05 AM |
Last bus 10:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Discover the best of Bethesda — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Bethesda trip today.
Estate museum with decorative arts, Russian imperial objects, and formal gardens. Though outside Bethesda proper, it is a major cultural attraction often combined with a Bethesda stay.
Hands-on children's museum focused on maker activities, robotics, design, and creativity. A strong family-friendly stop in downtown Bethesda.
Military medical museum with exhibits on Civil War medicine, anatomy, and medical innovation. Located nearby and widely regarded as one of the area's most distinctive specialty museums.
The best-known mixed-use district in Bethesda, popular for strolling, shopping, public art, and people-watching. A central must-see area.
Scenic rail-trail running through Bethesda, ideal for walking, jogging, and cycling. One of the area's most loved outdoor assets.
Walkable core of the city with public art, shops, seasonal events, and easy access to transit. Best for first-time visitors.
Pan-seared cakes made with sweet blue crab and minimal filler, a regional classic closely associated with nearby Chesapeake Bay seafood.
Fresh local oysters from the Chesapeake region, often served raw, roasted, or grilled and prized for their briny Mid-Atlantic flavor.
A smoky, coarse-ground sausage linked to the Washington area, commonly served on a bun with mustard, onions, and chili.
Polished American grill known for upscale comfort food, sushi, and a lively Bethesda atmosphere.
Well-known French bistro serving steak frites, onion soup, and brunch in a bustling, classic setting.
Established Spanish restaurant by José Andrés, popular for tapas, paella, and a vibrant dining room.
Bethesda is pricier than many U.S. suburbs, with higher hotel and dining costs due to its affluent, Washington-area location.
Restaurants: 18-20% standard, 20%+ for great service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Counter service: optional.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Richmond, VA to Bethesda, MD 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 Bethesda, MD, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need