- Recommended
Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art
Orange County’s leading contemporary art museum, presenting rotating exhibitions and acclaimed modern artists near UC Irvine.
Cheapest price
€392
Average price
€402
Fastest journey
2 d 21 h 30 m
Average duration
2 d 21 h 30 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
3671 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Washington, DC to Irvine, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Washington, DC to Irvine, CA will cost around €402 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €392.
Of the 2 buses that leave Washington, DC for Irvine, CA on Wed, Aug 05, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 05 the direct buses cover the 3671 km distance in an average of 2 d 21 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 d 21 h 30 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest buses will take 2 d 21 h 30 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 train as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Irvine, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €289. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 10h 16m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €289, and a flight costs an average of €238.
Distance: 2281 miles (3671 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€326 Average price | €289 Average price Cheapest | €430 Average price | €433 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
61h 34m Average total duration 61h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 65h 24m Average total duration 64h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 16m Average total duration Fastest 10h 16m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 38h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Irvine, CA:
A train is €38 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Washington, DC to Irvine, CA costing on average €326.
A train is €142 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Irvine, CA costing on average €430.
Other travel options to Irvine, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 61h 4m.
Train takes on average 64h 54m.
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 02:45AM | Arrival Time 02:50AM | Duration 72h05 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price €171 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:50AM | Arrival Time 02:30AM | Duration 64h40 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €465 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:35PM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 69h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price €392 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:35PM | Arrival Time 07:05PM | Duration 68h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri | Cheapest price €185 |
The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Irvine, CA buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 10:35 PM Washington, DC | 69h30 | 8:05 PM Irvine, CA | 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 Washington, DC to Irvine, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 61h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €171 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 05:35, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 2281 miles (3671 km) distance in 64h 40m.
Distance 2281 miles (3671 km) |
Average bus duration 61h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price €171 |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 64h 40m |
First bus 5:35 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Irvine, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Irvine, CA trip today.
Orange County’s leading contemporary art museum, presenting rotating exhibitions and acclaimed modern artists near UC Irvine.
University art museum featuring exhibitions of contemporary and historical works, with thought-provoking programs and free admission.
Historic farm site with interpretive exhibits, original structures, and programs that bring Orange County’s agricultural past to life.
Major civic park with trails, sports areas, art spaces, and the iconic balloon, popular with both visitors and locals.
Lakeside shopping and entertainment district with landscaped plazas and a lively pedestrian setting day and night.
Circular park at the heart of UC Irvine with mature trees and paths, ideal for walking, picnics, and campus atmosphere.
Fish tacos are a Southern California staple: battered or grilled fish in corn tortillas with cabbage, crema, and salsa. They reflect the region’s Baja and coastal influence.
California rolls were popularized in Southern California sushi culture. Crab, avocado, and cucumber make them approachable and iconic to the region’s Japanese influence.
Avocado toast is a modern California café classic. Fresh avocado on artisan bread showcases the state’s produce culture and everyday brunch habits.
Established Japanese restaurant in Diamond Jamboree known for quality sushi, izakaya dishes, and a polished yet comfortable setting.
Well-known upscale-casual venue serving seasonal Californian cuisine. Stylish room and dependable service make it a strong fine dining option.
Highly regarded Taiwanese bakery café famous for sea salt coffee, breads, and desserts. Casual, busy, and representative of Irvine’s café culture.
Irvine is pricier than many US cities, with higher hotel and dining costs. Transit is limited, so visitors often need taxis or rental cars, raising daily spend.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis and rideshares, and $1-2 per drink or coffee is appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Irvine, CA 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 Irvine, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Washington, DC to Irvine, CA buses use the Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station to Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Irvine, CA 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