- Must visit
North Carolina Museum of Art
Major art museum with a broad collection from ancient to contemporary works, plus a large outdoor Museum Park. One of Raleigh’s signature cultural stops.
Cheapest price
$27
Average price
$33
Fastest journey
2 h 40 m
Average duration
2 h 43 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
224 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC will cost around $33 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $27.
Of the 10 buses that leave Richmond, VA for Raleigh, NC on Mon, Jun 22, 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 22 the direct buses cover the 224 km distance in an average of 2 h 43 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 40 m .
On Mon, Jun 22 the slowest buses will take 2 h 45 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 Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $26. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 3m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $26, and a flight costs an average of $190.
Distance: 139 miles (224 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$36 Average price Cheapest | $45 Average price | $380 Average price | $32 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 33m Average total duration Fastest 3h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 11m Average total duration 3h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 9m Average total duration 5h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 33m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
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 Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC:
A bus is $9 (€7) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC costing on average $45 (€37).
A bus is $344 (€282) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC costing on average $380 (€311).
Other travel options to Raleigh, NC take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 41m.
Flight takes on average 5h 9m.
You'll arrive about -1h -30m sooner (3h 3m by bus vs 2h 33m by car) and save roughly $-3.93 (€-3.22) compared to fuel and tolls ($36 (€30) vs $32 (€26)). 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 CoachRun.
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 12:25AM | Arrival Time 03:10AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:55AM | Arrival Time 04:40AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:30AM | Arrival Time 05:35AM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:45AM | Arrival Time 06:55AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:35AM | Arrival Time 07:45AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:55AM | Arrival Time 08:40AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:25AM | Arrival Time 12:15PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:40AM | Arrival Time 02:20PM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $31 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:00PM | Arrival Time 09:20PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:45PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 01:20AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 02:20AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $39 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 02:55AM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $27 |
The table below shows live departures for Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:55 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 2h45 | 8:40 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:25 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 2h50 | 12:15 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:40 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 2h40 | 2:20 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:00 PM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 3h20 | 9:20 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:45 PM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 2h45 | 11:30 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:45 PM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 3h10 | 2:55 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, June 22 | |||||
![]() | 12:25 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 2h45 | 3:10 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:55 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 2h45 | 4:40 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 2:30 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 3h05 | 5:35 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:20 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 2h40 | 6:00 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 4:35 AM Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station), VA | 3h10 | 7:45 AM Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon), NC | 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 Raleigh, NC run on average 9 times per day, taking around 3h 3m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $26 (€22) if you book in advance.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:25, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 139 miles (224 km) distance in 2h 45m.
Distance 139 miles (224 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price $26 (€22) |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 2h 45m |
First bus 12:25 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Raleigh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Raleigh trip today.
Major art museum with a broad collection from ancient to contemporary works, plus a large outdoor Museum Park. One of Raleigh’s signature cultural stops.
The Southeast’s largest natural history museum, known for dinosaur exhibits, live animals, and strong family-friendly science displays in downtown Raleigh.
Popular interactive children’s museum with hands-on exhibits focused on play, learning, and imagination. Best for families with younger children.
Historic public park with walking paths, rides, a lake, and broad appeal for both families and casual visitors. One of Raleigh’s best-known green spaces.
Large urban park with skyline views, open fields, seasonal events, and highly photographed areas that have become very popular with locals and visitors.
Main downtown street lined with civic buildings, event spaces, and restaurants nearby, serving as a central axis for festivals and city life.
Whole-hog pork chopped and dressed with a tangy vinegar-pepper sauce. It is one of North Carolina’s most iconic regional foods and widely loved around Raleigh.
Slow-smoked pork shoulder or pork with a red slaw and a ketchup-vinegar dip. This Piedmont style is another classic North Carolina barbecue tradition often found in the Raleigh area.
A flaky Southern biscuit filled with salty cured ham, often served at breakfast. It reflects the strong Southern food heritage of Raleigh and the wider state.
A highly regarded venue combining dim sum, beer, and a distinctive floral dining room. It is one of Raleigh’s best-known upscale dining experiences.
An established downtown restaurant known for elevated Southern comfort food, seasonal cooking, and a stylish diner setting.
A popular casual spot recognized for fried chicken, biscuits, and modern Southern flavors in a lively central location.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than New York or San Francisco, but costs rise in downtown and during major events.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for excellent service. Tip bartenders USD 1-2 per drink, taxis/rideshares 10-15%, hotel staff a few USD, and round up for coffee only if desired.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Richmond, VA to Raleigh, NC buses use the Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station) to Raleigh, Bus Station station pair, with some services arriving at Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon). Use this guide to compare Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Richmond, E Main St / N 17th St (Richmond Main Station) is 3 km from Richmond city centre. Public transport options include:
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need