- 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
$107
Average price
$145
Fastest journey
20 h 35 m
Average duration
21 h 54 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
1141 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO to Washington, DC will cost around $145 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $107.
Of the 5 buses that leave St. Louis, MO for Washington, DC on Wed, May 27, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, May 27 the direct buses cover the 1141 km distance in an average of 21 h 54 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 20 h 35 m .
On Wed, May 27 the slowest buses will take 1 d 2 h 20 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.










Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from St. Louis, MO to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $83. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 16m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $83, and a train costs an average of $116.
Distance: 708 miles (1141 km)
| Bus | Most popular Flight | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$143 Average price Cheapest | $198 Average price | $336 Average price | $177 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
21h 25m Average total duration 20h 55m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 16m Average total duration Fastest 2h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 28h 41m Average total duration 28h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 38m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from St. Louis, MO to Washington, DC:
A bus is $55 (€45) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St. Louis, MO to Washington, DC costing on average $198 (€160).
A bus is $193 (€156) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from St. Louis, MO to Washington, DC costing on average $336 (€271).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 20h 55m.
Train takes on average 28h 11m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
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 02:00AM | Arrival Time 02:25AM | Duration 23h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $161 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 06:25AM | Duration 25h55 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:45AM | Arrival Time 07:05AM | Duration 26h20 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $123 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 06:55AM | Duration 23h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $108 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:00AM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 23h55 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $114 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:45AM | Arrival Time 06:45AM | Duration 21h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $161 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 10:45AM | Duration 21h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu | Cheapest price $133 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 01:40AM | Duration 34h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $161 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 11:45AM | Duration 21h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $154 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:55PM | Arrival Time 03:30PM | Duration 20h35 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $107 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:55PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 20h35 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $122 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 27h50 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $116 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:30PM | Arrival Time 02:25AM | Duration 25h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $162 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 03:05AM | Duration 26h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $161 |
The table below shows live departures for St. Louis, MO to Washington, DC buses for today, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:45 PM St. Louis, MO | 21h00 | 11:45 AM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:55 PM St. Louis, MO | 20h40 | 3:35 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, May 27 | |||||
![]() | 4:45 AM St. Louis, MO | 26h20 | 7:05 AM Washington, DC | 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 St. Louis, MO to Washington, DC run on average 6 times per day, taking around 20h 55m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $83 (€67) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 708 miles (1141 km) distance in 20h 35m.
Distance 708 miles (1141 km) |
Average bus duration 20h 55m |
Cheapest ticket price $83 (€67) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 20h 35m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 5 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 -> Washington Union Station, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from St. Louis, MO 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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