- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the most visited museums in the city, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and major natural science collections.
Cheapest price
$10
Average price
$17
Fastest journey
30 m
Average duration
34 m
Buses per day
14
Distance
11 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Silver Spring, MD 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 Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC will cost around $17 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $10.
Of the 14 buses that leave Silver Spring, MD for Washington, DC on Sat, Jun 20, 14 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 11 km distance in an average of 34 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 30 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 35 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.







PPB 8655P
PPB 8604P
PPB 8643POmio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $6. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 45m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $6, and a bus costs an average of $7.
Distance: 6 miles (11 km)
Most popular Bus | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$10 Average price | $6 Average price Cheapest | $2 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
1h 15m Average total duration Fastest 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 28m Average total duration 58m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC:
A train is $4 (€3) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC costing on average $10 (€8).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Train takes on average 58m.
You'll arrive about -1h -10m sooner (45m by bus vs 35m by car) and save roughly $-8.09 (€-6.63) compared to fuel and tolls ($10 (€8) vs $2 (€2)). 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, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Peter Pan Bus.
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 04:00AM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 0h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:10AM | Arrival Time 05:55AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:00AM | Arrival Time 06:45AM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 08:15AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 10:30AM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Peter Pan Bus Lines | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 11:50AM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Peter Pan Bus Lines | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Mon, Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:50PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Peter Pan Bus Lines | Departure Time 03:55PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:25PM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:50PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $11 |
Operator Peter Pan Bus Lines | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 08:30PM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:05PM | Arrival Time 08:45PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Peter Pan Bus Lines | Departure Time 08:30PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:05PM | Arrival Time 09:45PM | Duration 0h40 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $10 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:25PM | Arrival Time 11:10PM | Duration 0h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $7 |
Operator Peter Pan Bus Lines | Departure Time 10:55PM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 0h35 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
The table below shows live departures for Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC buses for tomorrow, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:00 AM Silver Spring, Fenton St / Sligo Ave | 0h30 | 4:30 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:10 AM Silver Spring, Fenton St / Sligo Ave | 0h45 | 5:55 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:00 AM Silver Spring, Fenton St / Sligo Ave | 0h45 | 6:45 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:35 AM Silver Spring, Fenton St / Sligo Ave | 0h40 | 8:15 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:50 AM Silver Spring, Fenton St / Sligo Ave | 0h40 | 10:30 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
PPB 8604P | 11:15 AM Silver Spring, Station & Bay | 0h35 | 11:50 AM Washington, Union Station Bus Terminal, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
PPB 8611P | 11:55 AM Silver Spring, Station & Bay | 0h35 | 12:30 PM Washington, Union Station Bus Terminal, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:50 PM Silver Spring, Fenton St / Sligo Ave | 0h35 | 2:25 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 and bus 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 Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC run on average 5 times per day, taking around 45m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $7 (€6) but you can travel from only $6 (€5) by train.
There are 5 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:20, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 6 miles (11 km) distance in 40m.
Distance 6 miles (11 km) |
Average bus duration 45m |
Cheapest ticket price $7 (€6) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 40m |
First bus 12:20 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
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 most visited museums in the city, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and major natural science collections.
Flagship museum for aviation and space exploration, featuring iconic aircraft, spacecraft, and interactive exhibits.
Powerful museum covering African American history, culture, and achievements through immersive exhibitions.
The city’s central ceremonial landscape, lined with major museums, memorials, and classic Washington views.
Historic neighborhood of cobbled streets, waterfront paths, and Federal-era architecture, ideal for walking and photos.
Scenic waterfront loop famous for cherry blossoms and close-up access to several major memorials.
Washington’s signature sausage, usually smoky and spicy, served on a bun with chili, mustard, and onions. It is one of the city’s most iconic street foods.
A sweet-tangy sauce strongly associated with Washington carryout culture, commonly paired with fried chicken and fries. It is a distinctive local flavor locals recognize immediately.
Regional blue crab from nearby Chesapeake waters, often served steamed and heavily seasoned. It reflects the Mid-Atlantic seafood traditions closely tied to Washington dining.
An established downtown institution known for oysters, crab cakes, and classic American seafood near the White House, with an elegant old-school atmosphere.
Busy, established French brasserie in Logan Circle known for polished service, a classic dining room, and consistently popular bistro dishes.
Historic casual landmark on U Street, famous for half-smokes, chili dogs, and classic Washington comfort food in a lively, nostalgic setting.
Prices are high by U.S. standards, especially for hotels and dining near central areas and major attractions.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. USD 1-2 per drink at bars. Taxis: 10-15% or round up. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Tips are expected for table service.
Official public transport app
L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC -> Union Station, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Silver Spring, MD 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 Silver Spring, MD to Washington, DC buses use the Silver Spring, Fenton St / Sligo Ave to Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station station pair, with some services arriving at Washington, Union Station Bus Terminal. Use this guide to compare Silver Spring, MD and Washington, DC bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
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