There are 5 ways to get from Philadelphia to Washington by train, bus, car, plane or subway
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Train • 1h 44m
4 alternative options
Bus • 2h 50m
Drive • 2h 34m
Fly to Reagan Washington • 2h 53m
Fly to Washington Dulles, subway • 3h 42m
Philadelphia to Washington by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Philadelphia to Washington is to bus which costs $5 - $55 and takes 2h 50m.
The fastest way to get from Philadelphia to Washington is to train which takes 1h 44m and costs $5 - $420.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Philadelphia and arriving at Washington Union Station station. Services depart hourly, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 2h 50m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from 30th Street Station station and arriving at Washington Union Station station. Services depart every 30 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 1h 44m.
The distance between Philadelphia and Washington is 135 miles. The road distance is 138.9 miles.
The best way to get from Philadelphia to Washington without a car is to train which takes 1h 44m and costs $5 - $420.
The train from 30th Street Station to Washington Union Station takes 1h 44m including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.
Philadelphia to Washington bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, depart from Philadelphia station.
Philadelphia to Washington train services, operated by Amtrak Acela, depart from 30th Street Station.
The best way to get from Philadelphia to Washington is to train which takes 1h 44m and costs $5 - $420. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $5 - $55 and takes 2h 50m, you could also fly, which costs $110 - $410 and takes 2h 53m.
- Distance: 134.8 miles
- Duration: 1h 44m
What companies run services between Philadelphia, PA, USA and Washington, DC, USA?
Amtrak Acela operates a train from 30th Street Station to Washington Union Station hourly. Tickets cost $35 - $420 and the journey takes 1h 44m. Two other operators also service this route. Alternatively, Flixbus USA operates a bus from Philadelphia to Washington Union Station every 2 hours. Tickets cost $13 - $55 and the journey takes 2h 50m. Three other operators also service this route.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Philadelphia to Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $260 - $650
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Philadelphia to Washington Dulles
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 9m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $450
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak Acela
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from 30th Street Station to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 44m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $35 - $420
- Schedules at
- https://www.amtrak.com/acela-train
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Business Seat - Child 2-12
- $18 - $150
- Business Seat - Seniors and Active Military
- $30 - $260
- Business Seat - Adult
- $35 - $290
- First Class - Child 2-12
- $60 - $220
- First Class - Senior Citizens
- $120 - $400
- First Class - Adult
- $120 - $420
Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train service serves the US’ busy northeast corridor from Virginia to Massachusetts; major stops include Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Baltimore. Amenities include Wi-Fi, a quiet car, cafe and business-class seating, and travelling with a small dog or cat is permitted. Book at least 14 days in advance for a cheaper Saver Fare.
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak Northeast Regional
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from 30th Street Station to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 59m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $24 - $210
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Schedules at
- https://www.amtrak.com/northeast-regional-train
- Child 2-12 with paid adult
- $7 - $110
- Reserved Coach Seat
- $24 - $210
- Business Class Seat
- $80 - $210
Amtrak is a rail service that connects the US and three Canadian provinces. Covering 21,000 route miles (34,000km) Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily. These medium and long distance intercity services operate at speeds of up to 240km/h, to more than 500 destinations. Founded in 1971, it is based in Washington, D.C. and offers four classes of travel: First Class, Sleeper, Business and Coach. Ticket fares are divided into five subclasses: Saver, Value, Flexible, Business and Premium. Amtrak trains are known for their wide seats, plug-in power, big windows and storage capabilities.
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from 30th Street Station to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 49m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $5 - $90
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Child Coach - Advance Purchase
- $5 - $28
- Child Coach - short notice
- $18 - $28
- Child Business Class - advance purchase
- $15 - $50
- Child Business Class - short notice
- $17 - $55
- Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
- $22 - $40
- Business Seat - advance purchase
- $30 - $110
- Business Seat - short notice
- $35 - $90
- Coach Seat - short notice
- $17 - $90
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- Phone
- +1 202-637-7000
- Website
- wmata.com
Subway from Washington Dulles International Airport, Silver Line Center Platform to Farragut West, Blue/Orange/Silver Line Track 1 Platform
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2 - $6
- Website
- https://www.wmata.com
- after 9:30 p.m. and weekend fare
- $2
- Senior / Disabled
- $2 - $4
- standard fare
- $3 - $6
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- flixbus.com
Bus from Philadelphia to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $13 - $55
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com
- Adult
- $13 - $55
- Phone
- +1-877-462-6342
- inquiries@megabus.com
- Website
- us.megabus.com
Bus from Philadelphia, PA to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $8 - $40
- Website
- https://us.megabus.com
Greyhound is a leading bus company based in Dallas, Texas, serving over 3800 destinations across North America, Mexico and Canada. Greyhound carries around 18 million passengers a year who travel 5.4 billion miles (8.6 billion km) a year on their fleet of around 1700 vehicles. For travel flexibility, you can board or get off a Greyhound bus at official Greyhound stations, partner stations and curbside stops. There are around 230 Greyhound stations across the US where you can both catch your bus and buy tickets, that are also available on the official website and via the mobile app.
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Philadelphia to Washington Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 35m
- Frequency
- Every 3 hours
- Estimated price
- $15 - $50
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- 1-800-343-9999
- Website
- peterpanbus.com
Bus from 520 N Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA to Union Station, Washington, DC
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $5 - $50
- Website
- https://peterpanbus.com
- Adult
- $5 - $50
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Philadelphia to Washington bus services, operated by Flixbus USA, arrive at Washington Union Station.
Philadelphia to Washington train services, operated by Amtrak Acela, arrive at Washington Union Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Philadelphia to Washington is 139 miles. It takes approximately 2h 34m to drive from Philadelphia to Washington.
Book your Philadelphia to Washington train tickets online with Omio.
Book your Philadelphia to Washington bus tickets online with FlixBus.
There are 1145+ hotels available in Washington. Prices start at $51 USD per night.