Is there a way to reach Indianapolis from Washington without flying?

Both buses and trains are available for traveling between these two cities. Either way you choose, you'll be sure to reach your destination in the most practical and eco-friendly way. Another option you should consider is using carpooling services, which allow you to share a car ride with other travelers.

How long is the bus ride from Washington to Indianapolis?

The travel time from Washington to Indianapolis is about 20h 30m, although the minimum time it takes to get there is 15h 15m with the fastest bus. This is the time it takes to travel the 491 miles (792 km) that separate the two cities.

What is the distance between Washington and Indianapolis?

Washington and Indianapolis are 491 miles (792 km) apart.

What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Washington to Indianapolis?

If you're headed to Indianapolis from Washington, chances are that your bus will depart from Union Station and arrive at Greyhound Amtrak Station. These are the main pick-up and drop-off locations on this route, there are other pick-up and drop-off locations that could make it easier for you to reach your destination.

What is the cheapest way to travel from Washington to Indianapolis?

You can save a lot of money on your trip from Washington to Indianapolis by choosing to travel by bus. With prices starting at $83, you won't find a more affordable way to get there.

What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Washington to Indianapolis?

The bus ticket costs $115 on average. Over the last 30 days, the prices ranged between $83 and $248, so make sure to compare them to get the best option.

Washington (DC), US to Indianapolis Bus Tickets

TodayMay 23

TomorrowMay 24

SunMay 25

from $115

MonMay 26

TueMay 27

WedMay 28

ThuMay 29

FriMay 30

Cheap buses leaving Sunday

One passenger / one way

This trip is recommended because it is: Cheapest
Departure time: May 25 at 9:45am
Departure city: Washington
Departure location: Springfield Bus Stop, VA
Arrival time: May 26 at 3:00am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Downtown Transit Center
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 17h 15m
This trip is recommended because it is: Fastest
Departure time: May 25 at 11:45am
Departure city: Washington
Departure location: Union Station
Arrival time: May 26 at 3:00am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Downtown Transit Center
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 15h 15m
Departure time: May 25 at 6:00am
Departure city: Washington
Departure location: Union Station
Arrival time: May 26 at 2:15am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Indianapolis Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 20h 15m
Departure time: May 25 at 11:45am
Departure city: Washington
Departure location: Union Station
Arrival time: May 26 at 3:00am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Downtown Transit Center
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Greyhound Lines, Inc. + FlixBus
Vehicle: BusDuration: 15h 15m
Departure time: May 25 at 5:30pm
Departure city: Washington
Departure location: Union Station
Arrival time: May 26 at 9:45am
Destination city: Indianapolis
Destination location: Indianapolis Bus Station
Operated by: Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Vehicle: BusDuration: 16h 15m

Accepted payments

Compare 2 ways to go from Washington to Indianapolis.

	Average Price	Average Duration	CO₂ emissions
Bus	Average Price$83 - $248	Average Duration20h 30m	CO₂ emissions 20kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars	CheapestMost eco-friendly
Train	Average Price$130 - $549	Average Duration18h 16m	CO₂ emissions 72kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars	Fastest

Busbud recommends taking the bus from Washington to Indianapolis

Among the sustainable travel choices, the bus stands out as the good way to reach Indianapolis. The journey takes about 20 hours 30 minutes and with fares starting at just $83, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

19bus per day

20h 30mAverage Duration

$83Cheapest ticket

20kgCO₂ emissions

Bus Washington to Indianapolis: Trip Overview

Average ticket price$115

Average bus trip duration20h 30m

Number of daily buses19

Earliest bus departure6:00am

Distance485 miles (782 km)

Latest bus departure11:55pm

Compare bus companies

Greyhound

3.5/586,997 reviews

Staff3.6

Timeliness2.8

Cleanliness3.3

Wifi2.3

Greyhound Lines offers the most comprehensive intercity bus services in the United States. They operate a modern, environmentally friendly fleet that serves more than 2400 destinations and carries nearly 16 million passengers annually. When traveling with them, you can expect free WiFi, onboard entertainment, bathrooms, power outlets and decent legroom. One of the great perks of Greyhound is that they connect big cities and smaller towns in the US, where you usually can't get to by train or plane. If you're looking for safe and affordable transportation, Greyhound is a great choice.

FlixBus

3.5/58,722 reviews

Staff4.1

Timeliness4

Cleanliness4.1

Wifi2.6

Flixbus is a European bus operator that offers intercity and bus travel in over 38 countries. Known for their easy-to-spot lime green buses and for offering affordable transportation between cities in Europe and the Americas, Flixbus is a good option for those looking for an affordable, reliable bus company. In their buses, you'll find free WiFi, bathrooms, and power outlets. You can also pay extra to choose your seat and get extra legroom, or even buy a snack or drink onboard directly from the driver. You can reschedule your ticket for a small fee, which varies from $1 to $5, depending on how close you are to the departure date.

US bus companies: FlixBus, Greyhound, Tornado Bus, Los Limousines, Valley Transit, Tufesa, Wanda Coach

Washington to Indianapolis Bus

Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Washington to Indianapolis.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from Washington to Indianapolis.

Whether it is cheap bus tickets or more luxurious buses going to Indianapolis from Washington, we help you find what you're looking for based on how much of a budget you have.

Where are the popular stops in Washington and Indianapolis?

Stops in Washington

A - Union Station

B - Dupont Circle

C - Metro Center Station

D - L’Enfant Plaza

E - 10th Street NW

F - Foggy Bottom

Stops in Indianapolis

A - Greyhound Amtrak Station

Frequently asked questions for your trip Washington (DC), US - Indianapolis

Is there a way to reach Indianapolis from Washington without flying?
How long is the bus ride from Washington to Indianapolis?
What is the distance between Washington and Indianapolis?
What are the departure and arrival stations when taking the bus from Washington to Indianapolis?
What is the cheapest way to travel from Washington to Indianapolis?
What is the ticket price for the bus trip from Washington to Indianapolis?

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found

05/21

$163

05/22

$143

Today

$136

05/24

$105

05/25

$118

05/26

$139

05/27

No data

05/28

$112

The cheapest trip from Washington to Indianapolis was searched and found on May 24, 2025 with a price of $105

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Washington to Indianapolis, as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from $105 to $202 for a bus ticket from Washington to Indianapolis based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at $105 which is on 2025-05-24.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Washington to Indianapolis but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you're bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from Washington to Indianapolis.

Buses are energy-efficient. Carrying a passenger over 100 kms by coach only takes 0.6-0.9 liters of gas. Compare that to the 2.6 liters required by high-speed train, 6.6 liters by airplane and 7.6 liters by gas-powered car, and it's clear that the bus is a more environmentally-conscious option for your bus transportation from Washington to Indianapolis.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Washington to Indianapolis, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!

The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.

The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.

What's the cheapest way to go from Washington to Indianapolis?

The bus is the cheapest travel choice for this destination

Vehicle Type	Travel Time	Avg Price	Daily Departures
Vehicle TypeBus	Travel Time20h 30m	Avg Price$115	Daily Departures19
Vehicle TypeTrain	Travel Time18h 16m	Avg Price$130	Daily Departures1

Will you be returning to Washington by bus?

Bus from Washington to Indianapolis

You can also go to Indianapolis by train

Train from Washington to Indianapolis

Top traveled bus routes

Why choose Busbud?

The Best Way To Book Bus and Train Tickets

Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travelers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. Busbud prides itself on its worldwide partnerships. We make it possible for you to buy tickets with its large network of trustworthy bus partners like Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

Bus Tickets from Washington (DC), US to Indianapolis