- Must visit
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
One of the world’s most visited natural history museums, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and broad family-friendly exhibits.
Cheapest price
$24
Average price
$27
Fastest journey
2 h 25 m
Average duration
3 h 2 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
159 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Wilmington, DE 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 Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC will cost around $27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $24.
Of the 5 buses that leave Wilmington, DE for Washington, DC on Sun, Jul 12, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jul 12 the direct buses cover the 159 km distance in an average of 3 h 2 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .
On Sun, Jul 12 the slowest buses will take 4 h 25 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 Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $12. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 30m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $12, and a flight costs an average of $220.
Distance: 98 miles (159 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$29 Average price | $20 Average price Cheapest | $465 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 8m Average total duration 2h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 0m Average total duration Fastest 1h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 11m Average total duration 3h 11m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 14m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC:
A train is $9 (€7) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC costing on average $29 (€24).
A train is $445 (€366) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC costing on average $465 (€383).
Other travel options to Washington, DC take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 38m.
Flight takes on average 3h 11m.
You'll arrive about -1h -24m sooner (2h 38m by bus vs 2h 14m by car) and save roughly $-0.47 (€-0.39) compared to fuel and tolls ($29 (€24) vs $28 (€23)). 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, 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 Greyhound | Departure Time 12:55AM | Arrival Time 03:20AM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:20AM | Arrival Time 02:25PM | Duration 3h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 04:30PM | Duration 2h50 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 06:15PM | Duration 4h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:10PM | Arrival Time 10:35PM | Duration 2h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $18 |
The table below shows live departures for Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC buses for today, Saturday, July 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:20 AM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 3h05 | 2:25 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:40 PM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 2h50 | 4:30 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:50 PM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 4h25 | 6:15 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:10 PM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 2h25 | 10:35 PM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, July 12 | |||||
![]() | 12:55 AM Wilmington, Amtrak Station @ ML King-French | 2h25 | 3:20 AM Washington, Columbus Circle, Union Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Wilmington, DE to Washington, DC run on average 4 times per day, taking around 2h 38m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $19 (€16) but you can travel from only $12 (€10) by train.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:01, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 98 miles (159 km) distance in 2h 25m.
Distance 98 miles (159 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 38m |
Cheapest ticket price $19 (€16) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 2h 25m |
First bus 12:01 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 3 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, known for dinosaur fossils, the Hope Diamond, and broad family-friendly exhibits.
Flagship Smithsonian museum covering aviation and spaceflight, with iconic aircraft, spacecraft, and major interactive exhibits.
Premier art museum with strong collections from the Middle Ages to modern art, plus sculpture garden and rotating exhibitions.
The city’s grand ceremonial park lined with Smithsonian museums, memorials, and iconic government buildings.
Historic neighborhood of cobblestone streets, waterfront walks, rowhouses, and some of Washington’s most photogenic corners.
Scenic waterside loop famous for cherry blossoms and views of major memorials, especially popular for sunrise and spring visits.
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 closely associated with Washington carryout culture, often paired with fried chicken wings and fries. It is a local comfort-food staple.
Steamed or picked blue crab from the nearby Chesapeake region is deeply tied to local food traditions. It is especially popular in warmer months.
Celebrated upscale restaurant with creative small plates and a warm, energetic atmosphere. It is one of Washington’s best-known modern dining destinations.
A classic, long-running Washington institution known for oysters, crab cakes, and traditional American fare in an elegant historic atmosphere.
Bustling brasserie known for polished French classics, strong brunch, and a stylish dining room that is popular with both locals and visitors.
Prices are high for hotels and dining, especially downtown. Free museums help balance daily costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5.
Official public transport app
L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, DC -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Wilmington, DE 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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