Cheap bus tickets from New York, NY to Washington, D.C.

Travel Guide: NYC to Washington D.C. via FlixBus 

Looking for a convenient, affordable way to travel between New York City and Washington D.C.? FlixBus offers an excellent option, with daily departures, comfortable onboard amenities, and wallet-friendly fares, FlixBus makes your journey both easy and enjoyable. 

Travel Time and Frequency 

The trip from NYC to Washington D.C. takes approximately 4 hours. With more than 30 departures per day, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to choose a time that best fits your schedule. Weekend travelers can easily plan a trip arriving on Friday and departing on Sunday, making it an ideal option for a quick escape to the nation’s capital. 

Departing from New York City 

FlixBus has several convenient departure points throughout New York City, ensuring you can start your journey from a location that’s easy for you to reach. Popular departure spots include: 

• Port Authority Bus Terminal 
• Chinatown 
• Midtown 

To make sure your trip begins smoothly, plan to arrive at your departure point at least 15 minutes before your bus is scheduled to leave. 

How to Reach Your FlixBus Departure Point in NYC 

New York City’s extensive transportation network offers several options to get you to your FlixBus stop efficiently. 

The Subway System 

The New York City subway is the fastest and most efficient way to navigate the city, operating 24/7 with extensive coverage across all five boroughs. Given the subway’s vast network, it’s typically the quickest option for reaching your FlixBus stop, especially during peak traffic hours. Be sure to check for any service changes or delays, particularly late at night or on weekends. 

The Bus System 

NYC’s bus network is another convenient way to reach your FlixBus departure point, particularly if you prefer to stay above ground. Buses are a good option for shorter distances. Just be sure to allow extra time for potential traffic, especially in Manhattan, where congestion is common. 

Taxis 

Taxis are a straightforward option if you’re in a hurry or have a lot of baggage. Taxis are readily available throughout New York City—just look for a cab with its rooftop light on, indicating it’s available. Although taxis can be slower than the subway during peak hours, they offer the convenience of door-to-door service, which is especially helpful if you're traveling from a location far from the subway. 

Ride-Sharing Services 

Ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, and others are widely available in NYC, offering a convenient alternative to traditional taxis. These services allow you to book a ride directly from your phone, making them particularly useful if you’re traveling with a group or have a specific pickup point in mind. 

Arriving in Washington D.C. 

When you arrive in Washington D.C. via FlixBus, you'll find convenient stops throughout the capital city and nearby areas. Popular drop-off points include Washington D.C. Union Station, Bethesda, Rockville, and Arlington. Navigating the D.C. area is made easy by the extensive transportation options managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). 

WMATA Transportation Options 

WMATA, founded in 1967, provides comprehensive transit services for residents, commuters, and visitors nearly all day, seven days a week. WMATA operates three main systems: Metrorail, Metrobus, and the DC Circulator. 

Metrobus 

Metrobus runs hundreds of routes across D.C. and the surrounding areas, with over 1,400 eco-friendly buses in its fleet, making them a sustainable transportation choice. 

Metrorail 

Metrorail offers a safe, clean, and reliable transit service throughout the Washington, D.C. area. As the second busiest metro system in the United States, Metrorail serves 98 stations across Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, making it an essential part of the region's transportation network. 

The system features six color-coded rail lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow, and Green. This intuitive layout ensures that you can travel between any two stations with no more than a single transfer, making it a convenient option for navigating the D.C. area. Whether you're commuting, sightseeing, or visiting friends, Metrorail provides a fast and efficient way to reach your destination. 

DC Circulator 

The DC Circulator is a favorite among residents and visitors alike. This bus service is very affordable and operates on six specific routes designed for easy access to key points of interest throughout the city. Payment options include exact change, SmarTrip card, or a 7-day WMATA regional bus pass. The Circulator connects you to popular neighborhoods like Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Woodley Park, U Street, and Capitol Hill. It even offers a dedicated National Mall route, providing easy access to D.C.’s iconic monuments and memorials. Buses run every 10 minutes, and schedules for all routes are readily available. 

Navigating Surrounding Areas 

• Bethesda: Accessible by Metrobus, Metrorail, and Montgomery County Ride-On buses, Bethesda offers convenient transit options with more than a dozen routes passing through downtown. 
• Rockville: Located along two Metrorail stops on the Red Line, Rockville is well-connected to Washington D.C., with extensive bus routes and commuter options. 
• Arlington: This area boasts 11 Metro stations on the Orange, Silver, Blue, and Yellow lines, with easy connections to the Red Line, making it simple to reach Amtrak Washington D.C. Union Station. 

First Time in Washington D.C.? Here’s What You Need to Know 

Must-See Attractions 

1. The National Mall: Home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol. Don’t miss the Smithsonian museums, which are free to enter and offer a deep dive into art, history, and science. 
2. The White House: Take a stroll by the White House, the official residence of the U.S. President. While tours are limited and require advance booking, viewing this historic building from the outside is a must. 
3. Capitol Hill: Visit the U.S. Capitol, where you can take guided tours of the building and learn about the legislative process. The nearby Library of Congress and Supreme Court are also worth a visit. 
4. Georgetown: This historic neighborhood is famous for its charming cobblestone streets, upscale shopping, and vibrant dining scene. It’s a great place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. 
5. Museums and Galleries: Beyond the Smithsonian, check out the National Gallery of Art, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Newseum for a diverse cultural experience. 

Tips for First-Timers 

• Plan Ahead: Many popular attractions, especially the museums and government buildings, can get crowded. It’s a good idea to book tickets in advance when possible. 
• Stay Hydrated: D.C. can get hot and humid, especially in the summer, so carry a water bottle and take breaks in the shade. 
• Safety: Like any major city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and after dark. The National Mall and downtown areas are generally safe and well-patrolled. 
• Getting around: In addition to its excellent public transit system, Washington D.C. is a pedestrian-friendly city with wide sidewalks and plenty of scenic routes. Exploring on foot is one of the best ways to experience the National Mall and its iconic monuments. For those who prefer biking, Capital Bikeshare offers over 350 stations, making it convenient to pick up and drop off bikes as you explore the city. 

Where to Stay and Eat in Washington D.C. 

Washington D.C. has a variety of neighborhoods, each offering a unique experience in terms of accommodations and dining. Here are a few top areas to consider during your stay: 

1. Dupont Circle 

Dupont Circle is a lively and central neighborhood, known for its vibrant atmosphere and historic charm. It’s a great choice if you want to be close to the action with plenty of accommodation options ranging from boutique hotels to larger chains. This area is a hub for diverse dining options, from casual cafés to upscale restaurants, offering something for every palate. 

2. Georgetown 

Georgetown offers a more picturesque and historic setting, with its charming cobblestone streets and waterfront views. This neighborhood is ideal for those looking for a quieter, more upscale stay. Georgetown boasts a mix of fine dining and cozy eateries, perfect for everything from a romantic dinner to a casual bite while exploring the area. 

3. Penn Quarter/Chinatown 

Penn Quarter is centrally located, making it convenient for visiting D.C.’s major attractions like the National Mall and museums. This area offers a range of accommodation options from modern hotels to budget-friendly stays. In Penn Quarter, you’ll find a variety of restaurants, from trendy spots to traditional eateries, with plenty of options for quick meals or leisurely dinners. 

Find the cheapest buses from New York to Washington

Getting from New York to Washington is cheap and easy when you travel with FlixBus. The two cities are 227 miles apart and traveling between the two takes as fast as 4 hours 10 minutes.
FlixBus tickets are always good value, but you can save even more money by booking online in advance. Book on the website or our FlixBus App in minutes, then simply use your phone as your ticket to board the bus.
Bus tickets between New York and Washington cost $38.99 on average, but you can get tickets for as low as $35.99 if you book in advance and/or outside of busy travel times, like weekends and holidays.

Traveling from New York to Washington

It's easy to get from New York to Washington with FlixBus, with 36 direct buses per day.
The journey from New York to Washington has only one stop in between. It can take a minimum time of 4 hours 10 minutes.
Bus travel is the most environmentally friendly way to travel long distances and we're working to make it even greener with high environmental standards across our fleet of buses, the use of alternative drive and fuel technologies, and the option for all passengers to offset their carbon emissions at the point of buying a ticket.
The average cost of bus travel between New York and Washington is $38.99, which makes bus travel far cheaper than any other method.

Taking the bus from New York

Traveling from New York and not familiar with it? Here's everything you need to know.
New York is a transport hub with 8 bus station(s); the 185 connections departing from New York every day take travelers both within the state and further afield.

Arriving in Washington

Traveling to Washington for the first time? Here's what you need to know:
Washington is very well connected to other destinations on the FlixBus network, with 85 connections arriving in one of the 5 bus station(s) of the city, giving you easy access to all corners of the country.

What to expect onboard the FlixBus bus from New York to Washington

Getting from New York to Washington aboard a FlixBus bus means traveling in comfort and style, with all the services you need to keep you occupied. Most of our buses include free Wi-Fi onboard, an entertainment system, toilets and power outlets.
You can bring one carry-on and one check-in piece of luggage per passenger, so even if you're taking a long trip, you don't need to worry about traveling light.
All ticket holders are guaranteed a seat on our buses but if you want to reserve a seat, you can do so at the time of booking. Choose from a classic seat, table seat, panorama seat or extra seat.
Just book online or on our FlixBus App when purchasing your ticket using any of our available payment methods.