If you are searching for a chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York, you likely want three answers: where the bus leaves, how often it runs, and what happens if plans change. This guide covers the Philadelphia-to-New York direction using only what Philly Bus publishes.
A quick note on the label. Philly Bus describes itself as a commuter service between New York City and Philadelphia, not as a Chinatown bus brand. Riders still use that phrase for a frequent intercity bus, so this page sticks to the facts that matter.
One reader tip before the details. The Philadelphia-to-New York direction is the return leg for plenty of people, which means the main risk is not finding the bus. It is leaving too little margin at the Philadelphia end after a long day.
Chinatown Bus From Philadelphia to New York: Where You Board
The Philadelphia pickup point is 1001 Filbert St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Copy that address exactly as written into your maps app before you leave, so you are not guessing at a landmark or a cross street on the day.
On the New York side, the address Philly Bus lists is 2 Pike Street, New York, NY 10002, by the Citi Bike lane. If you are riding one direction now and coming back later, you will use both addresses over the course of the round trip.
For a closer look at the Philadelphia stop itself, see our guide on where to catch the bus in Philadelphia. It stays focused on that one address, so this page does not repeat it.
The pickup point is not something to leave to chance. If you are staying in a part of the city you do not know well, check the route from your hotel or office to Filbert Street the night before rather than on the morning of your trip.
Departure Times for a Chinatown Bus From Philadelphia to New York
Philly Bus runs the New York-Philadelphia route more than 70 times a week, with five standard departure times: 9AM, 12PM, 3PM, 5PM, and 7PM. The 7PM run only operates on some days, so confirm that day on the booking page before you rely on it.
If you want the full list in one place, our Philadelphia to New York bus schedule page walks through every confirmed time.
To choose a chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York departure, work backward from your New York plans. Decide when you need to be in Manhattan, add the company’s estimate of about 2 hours for the ride, and then leave a cushion on top, since it is only an estimate.
If your plans in New York end at night, the later departures matter more. Remember that the 7PM bus does not run every day, so a plan built around it needs a day-specific check, not an assumption.
Morning riders on the chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York have the opposite problem. A 9AM departure means getting to Filbert Street early enough for boarding, and the next section explains why early matters more than people expect.
How Boarding Works on the Chinatown Bus From Philadelphia to New York
Philly Bus asks riders to arrive 20 minutes before departure. Seating is first come, first served: no seat is assigned, and no one can save a seat for a person who has not arrived yet.
That rule changes how you should think about your departure time. The bus you booked is the bus you are targeting, but your real deadline is 20 minutes earlier, and the earlier you arrive, the more choice you have once you are on board.
Because seats are not assigned, groups traveling together should arrive together. Someone who turns up late may end up sitting apart from the rest of the party, since there is no way to hold seats in advance.
For a chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York trip, a longer explanation of how much extra time is sensible is in our guide on how early to arrive for the New York to Philadelphia bus. The same arrival logic applies in the other direction.
A few onboard rules are worth knowing before you pack. You can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks, but alcohol is not allowed at any time, and smoking or vaping is prohibited on the bus and within 50 feet of it.
Pets are not allowed in the cabin, although service animals are always allowed. If you need wheelchair assistance or other special help, Philly Bus asks you to call at least 48 hours before travel.
Tickets, Rescheduling, and Refunds
Fares are split into three tiers: adult, child ages 3 to 6, and infant under 3. The exact price depends on your travel date, so check the booking page for the current fare rather than relying on a number from an old article.
The most useful rule for a chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York trip is the reschedule policy. Philly Bus tickets are unrestricted, so if you miss your bus you can reschedule your trip for any time within one year of the ticket purchase date.
That is a reschedule, not a refund. The ticket itself is not refundable, but if the company cancels a trip, all affected passengers are refunded the original purchase price through the payment method they used.
For the full explanation, see our guide on what happens if you miss your bus from NYC to Philadelphia. It covers the situation in more detail than this page can.
This matters most on a chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York return leg. If a lunch runs long, a meeting stretches, or you simply lose track of time, you do not lose the ticket. You move it to another departure within the year.
Going the Other Way
This page covers the chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York direction. If you are starting in Manhattan instead, our guide to the Chinatown bus from New York to Philadelphia covers the 2 Pike Street end of the route.
The two guides are meant to be read as a pair. One explains the New York pickup and what the ride is like from there, and this one handles the Philadelphia pickup and what to plan around when you are heading north.
Common Questions
Is a Chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York the same thing as Philly Bus? Philly Bus does not use that label for itself. It describes its service as a commuter service between New York City and Philadelphia, with the pickup addresses and departure times listed above.
How many buses run each day? Philly Bus runs more than 70 trips a week with departures at 9AM, 12PM, 3PM, 5PM, and 7PM. The 7PM run is available only on some days, so check the specific date when you book.
How long does the ride take? The company’s estimate is about 2 hours. Treat it as an estimate and leave extra time if you have a train, a meeting, or a show on the other end.
Can I show up without a ticket? Seating is first come, first served and seats cannot be saved, so booking ahead and arriving 20 minutes early is the safer plan.
What if I miss the bus? You can reschedule for any time within one year of the purchase date. You cannot get a refund for a missed bus, so the reschedule option is the one to use.
Who do I contact with a question? Customer service is at +1(800)879-8775 or [email protected]. If you leave something on board, write to [email protected], since found items are kept for up to 14 days.
Before You Go
To recap, a chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York with Philly Bus starts at 1001 Filbert St, runs on five standard departure times, and asks you to arrive 20 minutes early. Tickets can be rescheduled within a year, but they are not refundable.
For the chinatown bus from Philadelphia to New York, write down both addresses, pick a departure with a margin, and check the booking page for the 7PM run if you plan to use it. That short checklist covers almost everything that goes wrong on this route.
Ready to head north? Check current departure times and reserve your seat on the Philadelphia to New York bus before you head to Filbert Street.