- Must visit
North Carolina Museum of Art
Premier art museum with global collections, major exhibitions, and a large sculpture park that makes it a top cultural stop.
Cheapest price
€20
Average price
€23
Fastest journey
2 h 55 m
Average duration
3 h 50 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
183 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Wilmington, NC 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 Wilmington, NC to Raleigh, NC will cost around €23 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €20.
Of the 3 buses that leave Wilmington, NC for Raleigh, NC 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 183 km distance in an average of 3 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 55 m .
On Wed, Aug 05 the slowest buses will take 5 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.


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· Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Wilmington, NC to Raleigh, NC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €20. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 3h 46m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €20, and a flight costs an average of €269.
Distance: 113 miles (183 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
€30 Average price Cheapest | €350 Average price | €22 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 16m Average total duration Fastest 3h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 54m Average total duration 3h 54m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 1h 52m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Wilmington, NC to Raleigh, NC:
A bus is €320 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Wilmington, NC to Raleigh, NC costing on average €350.
Other travel options to Raleigh, NC take longer:
Flight takes on average 3h 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 09:10AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 3h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €20 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:20AM | Arrival Time 07:07PM | Duration 8h47 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price €81 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price €25 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:20PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price €20 |
The table below shows live departures for Wilmington, NC to Raleigh, NC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:10 AM Wilmington, Forden Station | 3h15 | 12:25 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:20 PM Wilmington, Forden Station | 2h55 | 9:15 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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, NC to Raleigh, NC run on average 3 times per day, taking around 3h 46m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €20 if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 03:50, the last at 21:15. The fastest bus covers the 113 miles (183 km) distance in 2h 55m.
Distance 113 miles (183 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 46m |
Cheapest ticket price €20 |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 2h 55m |
First bus 3:50 AM |
Last bus 9:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Raleigh, NC — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Raleigh, NC trip today.
Premier art museum with global collections, major exhibitions, and a large sculpture park that makes it a top cultural stop.
One of the Southeast's best natural history museums, featuring dinosaurs, research labs, and family-friendly exhibits across two buildings.
Interactive museum covering North Carolina's military past with aircraft, artifacts, and stories spanning colonial times to today.
Lively warehouse district with murals, shops, event spaces, and nightlife. It is one of Raleigh's most popular modern walking areas.
Beloved city park with an antique carousel, train ride, and shaded paths. Ideal for families and a classic local outing.
Scenic art-and-nature trail linking museum grounds with outdoor sculptures, woods, and open fields for an easy cultural walk.
Eastern North Carolina chopped pork barbecue is smoked whole hog with a tangy vinegar-pepper sauce, a defining regional staple widely loved around Raleigh.
Barbecue hushpuppies are crisp fried cornmeal dumplings, a classic side with Carolina barbecue and seafood across the Raleigh area.
Fried green tomatoes are tart unripe tomato slices breaded and fried, a Southern favorite often served as an appetizer in Raleigh restaurants.
Long-running fine dining destination celebrated for upscale Southern cuisine, garden herbs, and a romantic historic setting.
Popular casual spot for biscuits, Southern breakfast plates, and local comfort food with a lively neighborhood feel.
Beloved local brewpub offering house beers and hearty pub food, reflecting Raleigh's strong craft beer culture.
Moderate for a U.S. city: hotels and dining are usually lower than NYC or DC, but car, rideshare, and limited transit can raise visitor costs.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis or rideshares, and $1-2 per drink or coffee in cafes if service is provided.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Wilmington, NC 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 Wilmington, NC to Raleigh, NC buses use the Wilmington, Forden Station to Raleigh, Bus Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Wilmington, NC and Raleigh, NC bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need