Washington DC from NYC
The best tours to DC from New York
Guided day trips by bus or van, DC with Philadelphia, a 2-day trip with Amish Country, or the train on your own.
See our 6 picks
The best tours to DC from New York are guided day trips by bus or van, from €96. They leave Manhattan early and return late, after about 14 to 15 hours. On your own, the Acela train takes about 3 hours each way and lands at Union Station.
Our 6 picks for tours to DC from New York
Five guided day trips and one 2-day trip. All six have free cancellation. Most meet at a Midtown address early in the morning. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
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from €96 per person Our top pick 15 hours 4.6 (4,656) reviews on GetYourGuide
Guided DC day trip by van or bus
A 15-hour day with the main monuments and memorials and photo stops at the White House and the Washington Monument. It ends with 90 minutes of free time for a museum.
Best for A first visit to DC
Check availability: Guided DC day trip by van or bus on GetYourGuide -
from €103 per person 15 hours 4.6 (3,935) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington and Philadelphia in one day
One guided day in both cities: the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial and the “Rocky” steps in Philadelphia. You meet at 5:00 AM at Two Times Square. Some options offer pickup.
Best for Two cities in one day
Check availability: Washington and Philadelphia in one day on GetYourGuide -
from €97 per person 14–15 hours 4.7 (554) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington highlights day tour
A 14- to 15-hour day with the White House and the Capitol from outside, Arlington National Cemetery and Constitution Avenue. There are two meeting points, by option.
Best for Groups who want a private trip
Check availability: Washington highlights day tour on GetYourGuide -
from €115 per person 14 hours 4.7 (605) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington DC day trip by bus
A 14-hour trip with an escort guide, the Lincoln and Vietnam Veterans memorials, a stop outside the White House and free time at Union Station. All admissions are included.
Best for Visitors who want it all arranged
Check availability: Washington DC day trip by bus on GetYourGuide -
from €109 per person 14 hours 4.5 (2,940) reviews on GetYourGuide
Washington DC city highlights day tour
A 14-hour day with Arlington National Cemetery, the Kennedy grave and the war memorials. Guides speak seven languages, and buses have Wi-Fi.
Best for A guide in your language
Check availability: Washington DC city highlights day tour on GetYourGuide -
from €304 per person 2 days 4.4 (291) reviews on GetYourGuide
Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days
Two days with a hotel night in DC, breakfast, the Liberty Bell, the Capitol and an Amish buggy ride. Meals and tips are extra.
Best for A slower pace
Check availability: Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days on GetYourGuide
Tours to DC from New York compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Pickup | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided DC day trip by van or bus | €96 per person | 15 hours | Meet on site | A first visit to DC | The most-reviewed DC trip, 4.6 from 4,656 reviews. |
| Washington and Philadelphia in one day | €103 per person | 15 hours | Pickup optional | Two cities in one day | Both cities with licensed local guides, 4.6 from 3,935 reviews. |
| Washington highlights day tour | €97 per person | 14–15 hours | Meet on site | Groups who want a private trip | A private option is available, with 4.7 from 554 reviews. |
| Washington DC day trip by bus | €115 per person | 14 hours | Meet on site | Visitors who want it all arranged | The best-rated DC bus trip, 4.7 from 605 reviews. |
| Washington DC city highlights day tour | €109 per person | 14 hours | Meet on site | A guide in your language | The widest choice of languages, with 4.5 from 2,940 reviews. |
| Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days | €304 per person | 2 days | Meet on site | A slower pace | Two cities without a 15-hour day, with 4.4 from 291 reviews. |
Guided DC day trip by van or bus
€96 per person15 hours 4.6 (4,656)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- A first visit to DC
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed DC trip, 4.6 from 4,656 reviews.
Washington and Philadelphia in one day
€103 per person15 hours 4.6 (3,935)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup optional
- Who it suits
- Two cities in one day
- Why we picked it
- Both cities with licensed local guides, 4.6 from 3,935 reviews.
Washington highlights day tour
€97 per person14–15 hours 4.7 (554)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Groups who want a private trip
- Why we picked it
- A private option is available, with 4.7 from 554 reviews.
€115 per person14 hours 4.7 (605)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want it all arranged
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated DC bus trip, 4.7 from 605 reviews.
Washington DC city highlights day tour
€109 per person14 hours 4.5 (2,940)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- A guide in your language
- Why we picked it
- The widest choice of languages, with 4.5 from 2,940 reviews.
Philadelphia, Washington DC and Amish Country in 2 days
€304 per person2 days 4.4 (291)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- A slower pace
- Why we picked it
- Two cities without a 15-hour day, with 4.4 from 291 reviews.
- Group size is not stated on the booking pages.
- All 6 offer free cancellation.
- Group options: private trips available for 2 tours (Washington and Philadelphia in one day and Washington highlights day tour).
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Bus tours from New York to Washington
Yes, you can see Washington DC in one day from New York on a guided tour. You ride down in the morning, see the sights with a guide and ride back at night.
Of all the day trips from New York City, DC has the most tours on our cards. Tours meet in Midtown, and a few offer pickup.
Pick a bus or van tour by what you want to see. Most visit the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial and the White House from outside.
Some add Arlington National Cemetery. One adds free time at Union Station, another 90 minutes for a museum. Food and tips are extra.
How long is a DC day trip?
A DC day trip from New York lasts 14 to 15 hours. Much of that time is on the bus, there and back.
If that is too long, the 2-day trip adds a hotel night in Washington. It also adds Philadelphia and Amish Country.
What you see on each tour
Each tour sees a lot, but you see much of it from outside or from the bus. Here is what each listing says.
| Tour | What you see | Time on your own |
|---|---|---|
| Guided DC trip by van or bus | Monuments, memorials, White House photo stop | 90 min, museum |
| Washington and Philadelphia | National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, the “Rocky” steps | Not stated |
| Washington highlights | White House and Capitol from outside, Arlington, Constitution Avenue | Not stated |
| DC day trip by bus | Lincoln and Vietnam Veterans memorials, outside the White House | Union Station |
| DC city highlights | Arlington, Kennedy grave, war memorials, Capitol from outside | Not stated |
| Philadelphia, DC and Amish Country (2 days) | Liberty Bell, the Capitol, an Amish buggy ride | Hotel night |
DC and Philadelphia in one day
Yes, one tour does both cities in a single 15-hour day. You see Washington’s National Mall and the “Rocky” steps in Philadelphia.
It meets at 5:00 AM at Two Times Square. For Philadelphia on its own, the Acela train takes about 1 hour 18 minutes.
Our guide on Philadelphia to NYC by train has the details.
Coming back on your own? Our guide to Philadelphia to NYC by train covers the ride.
Train or bus to DC on your own
The train is the fastest way to DC on your own, and the bus is the cheapest. Trains leave from Moynihan Train Hall and arrive at Union Station. Amtrak fares vary by date.
See our guides on Washington DC to NYC by train and train tours from New York for more. Our getting around New York page compares every option.
Our guide to Washington DC to NYC by train covers the ride from the other end.
For more ideas that start at the station, see our guide to train tours New York.
| Option | Time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Acela train | About 3 hours | Fares vary by date |
| Northeast Regional train | About 3 hours 25 minutes or more | Fares vary by date |
| OurBus | 3 hours 30 minutes or more | $23.38 |
| Greyhound | Not stated | $32.98 |
Museums and passes in DC
The Smithsonian says its museums in DC are free. Some need a free timed pass, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Washington Monument is free, but online tickets cost $1 each. US Capitol tours are free and take about an hour; the Capitol is closed on Sundays.
Museums can close during a federal shutdown. Check before you go.
Tips for a DC day trip from New York
Be early
Tours meet early in Midtown, some at 5:00 AM. Arrive early so the bus does not leave without you.
Book timed passes
Reserve passes for the Washington Monument or the African American museum before your trip.
Wear good shoes
Tours make many stops to walk and take pictures.
Bring cash for tips
Tips and food are not included on most of these trips.
Tours to DC from New York: questions and answers
Can you do a day trip to DC from New York?
What is the best Washington DC tour from New York?
How much does it cost to take a train from NYC to DC?
What is the best way to travel from NYC to DC?
Where does Amtrak drop you off in Washington DC?
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Sources (9), facts checked on 24 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.