Cheap bus tickets from State College to Philadelphia

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Bus from State College to Philadelphia: Journey Information

There are 8 intercity buses per day from State College to Philadelphia. Traveling by bus from State College to Philadelphia usually takes around 6 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Fullington Trailways bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance
153 mi (247 km)
Shortest duration
3h 45m
Cheapest price
$36.98
Trips per day
3
Most frequent service
FlixBus US
Bus lines
4

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

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Chiku

State College to Philadelphia Bus Schedule

See Full Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from State College to Philadelphia?

There are usually 1 daily train trips available from State College to Philadelphia.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price$50.61CheaperAvg. Price$76.54
Daily Trips8Daily Trips1
Duration6h 10mDuration4h 34mFaster
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Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from State College to Philadelphia (Based on 18 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Brian

May 15, 2025

Greyhound
Cons: Graduation ceremony Tips: Trip was good and safe and leisurely, but all of a sudden we were an hour behind schedule. Still it was a good trip using greyhound bus.

5.0

Sunita

November 18, 2024 - Business

Greyhound
Cons: NA

5.0

Faria

August 28, 2024 - Solo travel

Greyhound
Pros: On time arrival Cons: Consistent with on arrival/departure time by greyhound

5.0

Annalise

November 17, 2023 - Visiting family

Fullington Trailways
Pros: It was comfortable Cons: Traffic Tips: No

5.0

Marco

May 5, 2023 - Solo travel

OurBus
Pros: comfort and ease to get to airport Cons: none

How much is a bus ticket from State College to Philadelphia?

Bus tickets for a trip from State College to Philadelphia cost $51.48 on average. Tickets cheaper than $51.48 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Monthly avg. prices

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Taking the bus from State College to Philadelphia is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only $57. If you're planning to take the bus from State College to Philadelphia during March, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $84. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 29 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $32.17 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from State College to Philadelphia?

There are multiple buses that travel from State College to Philadelphia, including FlixBus US, Fullington Trailways, Greyhound, OurBus. Here is what you should know about the 4 most popular bus lines:

BUSDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US47h 3m$72.00
Fullington Trailways25h 32m$62.50
Greyhound26h 16m$65.32
OurBus14h 25m$61.06
  • FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 4 trips per day from State College to Philadelphia, and the average ticket for this route costs only $72.

    USFLX-0USFLX-1USFLX-2USFLX-3USFLX-4USFLX-5
  • Book Fullington Trailways from State College to Philadelphia from $50. There are 2 trips per day offered by Fullington Trailways from State College to Philadelphia and you can expect on average to pay $62.5 for a Fullington Trailways ticket to Philadelphia. In State College, Fullington Trailways departs to Philadelphia from Bus Terminal - 152 N Atherton St and one other station. In Philadelphia, Fullington Trailways arrives at NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St .

    An average trip on Fullington Trailways from State College to Philadelphia takes 5 hours and 32 minutes , while the fastest available Fullington Trailways trip will get you to Philadelphia in 3 hours and 45 minutes .

    On weekends, Fullington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $50 for a weekend trip to Philadelphia.

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 2 bus trips from State College to Philadelphia every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Philadelphia usually start from $36.98.

    Passengers boarding a Greyhound with their cheap bus tickets, ready for a comfortable and budget-friendly trip - WanderuA Greyhound bus parked, waiting for passengers with cheap bus tickets ready to travel - WanderuComfortable seating inside a Greyhound, perfect for those traveling with cheap bus tickets who want to make the most of their journey - WanderuA passenger using the power outlets available on Greyhound to access their affordable bus ticket digitally - WanderuA passenger uses Greyhound's onboard wifi to enjoy their intercity bus trip - WanderuA bus awaits passengers who have bought cheap Greyhound tickets - Wanderu
  • OurBus is an intercity bus company based in New York City. OurBus provides cheap bus tickets to some of the most popular cities in the United States. All OurBus coaches come equipped with a generous roster of amenities, including extra legroom, freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and complimentary bottled water. With cheap bus tickets starting from $50, OurBus is one of the best ways to travel by bus from State College to Philadelphia if you are looking for comfort at a good price.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from State College to Philadelphia

Bus tickets for a trip from State College to Philadelphia cost $37 on average. Tickets cheaper than $37 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

There are 8 scheduled buses that travel from State College to Philadelphia every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 3 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from State College to Philadelphia; ticket prices start at $72.

TRIPS PER DAY

8

DIRECT TRIPS

3

The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 153 miles from State College to Philadelphia. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

DISTANCE (MI)

153

DISTANCE (KM)

247

The first bus leaves at 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from State College to Philadelphia, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

EARLIEST BUS

1:00am

LATEST BUS

1:00pm

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Philadelphia. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.

City Information

State College

State College, PA - SCL-0State College, PA - SCL-1State College, PA - SCL-2

State College is a college town, hence the name. It is home to Penn State University, one of the largest universities in the United States. As expected, most of the businesses in the area are there to serve the academic clientele, particularly the professors and students living in the area (if you’re one of them, you might want to check out our recommended destinations for college students).

One of the most popular events in State College is the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, which draws over a hundred thousand visitors each year. Aside from Penn State University, the city's major attractions are The Arboretum and the Beaver Stadium.

If you're into culture, history, and the arts, you should check out the Palmer Museum of Art, Discovery Space of Central Pennsylvania, and Centre County Historical Society.

While at State College, be sure to try out the waffles at The Original Waffle Shop. Other good places to dine are the Berkey Creamery, Allen Street Grill, and Federal Taphouse. Finally, for some good drinks, stop by Otto's Pub and Brewery.

Getting around State College is a breeze. The local airport, University Park Airport, is a mere 5 miles away from campus. In addition, Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Amtrak Thruway run regularly scheduled bus services from State College to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, New York City, and beyond.

Philadelphia

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We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in State College?

Main departure station: State College (Airport - SCE)

Buses to Philadelphia leave from 3 stations in State College.

All bus stations in State College:

  • State College (Airport - SCE)
  • 152 N Atherton St.
  • Bus Terminal - 152 N Atherton St

Where does the bus arrive in Philadelphia?

Main arrival station: 199 Spring Garden St

Philadelphia, PA - Greyhound Bus Terminal (1001 Filbert St) - PHLGLI-0

Philadelphia's Greyhound Bus Terminal is a popular bus station served by several intercity bus companies, including Greyhound, Fullington Trailways, and Peter Pan Bus Lines. Conveniently located in downtown Philly, you can walk from the bus station to the nearby Pennsylvania Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market, and even Independence Hall (home of the Liberty Bell). The station is a comfortable place to begin your bus journey, with a snack bar, restrooms, and vending machines, as well as several nearby parking garages and quick bites. And if your destination is Philadelphia, the Greyhound Bus Terminal makes it easy to start your sightseeing or head to your hotel, thanks to the SEPTA subway stop half a block away.

Greyhound Bus Terminal

All bus stations in Philadelphia:

  • 199 Spring Garden St
  • 199 Spring Garden St
  • NE Corner of Schuylkill Ave & Walnut St
  • Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop
  • Philadelphia Mills - RED Lot
  • Schulykill Ave & Walnut St Bus Stop
  • Philadelphia International Airport

Need a return trip from Philadelphia to State College?

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