With a journey time of as little as 1 hour 35 minutes, an inter-city bus between New York City and Philadelphia is quick, convenient and cheap.
The City of Brotherly Love (Photo: ActionVance via Unsplash)
Fancy escaping the Big Apple for the rich culture, history and attractions of Philadelphia? You’re in luck. Just 94 miles separates these two blockbuster cities, which makes it a popular weekend break or day trip. You could take the train, but with prices as low as $6 and journey times a little over 90 minutes, taking the bus is the best option. America’s inter-city bus network has come a long way in the past few years and there are at least a dozen bus operators to choose from nowadays. Many of these allow customers to bring multiple pieces of luggage and bicycles on board, offer free WiFi and special discounts too. If you’re considering travelling between two cities, we’ve compared the best bus services from New York City to Philadelphia based on price, journey, duration, customer reviews, onboard facilities and ease of booking.
FlixBus
Flixbus has grown to become one of the biggest bus operators in the US and Europe (Photo: FlixBus)
FlixBus has grown to become the biggest bus company in Europe and the United States for good reason. As well as being both reliable and cheap, FlixBus offers the fastest service between the two cities at just 1 hour 35 minutes, depending on the time of day. The company offers 15 services per day and you can also book Greyhound services through the website too. It is also the only operator to offer a late-night bus service at 23:45, making it a brilliant option for those looking to make the most of their evening in NYC.
Buses offer free WiFi power outlets at every seat and air conditioning on board. Travellers with bikes can book a dedicated bike slot for an additional fee, though you’ll need to book these in advance as spaces fill up quickly.
Wanda Coach
Wanda Coach only offers five services per day and journey times average two hours. While journey times are slightly longer than FlixBus, you may be able to make up time thanks to the central location of both coach stations – slap bang in the heart of China Town in New York and a short stroll from Philadelphia City Hall.
Buses feature free WiFi and movies on board, and tickets can be rescheduled for free. Passengers can bring one check-in cabin bag and one carry-on board for free, though any oversized luggage will set you back an additional $10-20 per piece.
Greyhound
Greyhound is North America’s most iconic inter-city bus network (Photo: Greyhound)
FlixBus acquired this iconic intercity bus service in 2021, but it has managed to maintain its own identity. Greyhound operates around 14 services a day, starting at 01:30 and finishing at 21:00. Journey times average 2 hours, making it a slightly longer journey than some of its competitors, though prices tend to be a little cheaper. Services depart from Port Authority rather than Midtown, making it the best option for those departing from New Jersey.
Prices include one piece of luggage (stored under the bus) and you can pay for two further pieces if you’re making a long trip. You can also pay to select your seat or choose to travel ‘neighbour-free’. All coaches are air-conditioned and free WiFi and individual power outlets are standard throughout.