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How to get to Charlottesville by train
| Routes | 56 |
| Trips per day | 141 |
| train lines | 4 |
| Stations | 1 |
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About Charlottesville
Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is one of Virginia's best destinations with plenty of interesting attractions to draw in not only fans of history but also of arts and culture. The prime attraction of the city is the famous estate of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. This 5000-acre mansion is an architectural masterpiece that combines Parisian and Italian elements, giving you a day’s worth of exploration. For those looking for a more idyllic landscape, try Carter Mountain Orchard, which offers apple-picking sessions as well. The University of Charlottesville is also a must-not-miss destination. As the only university in the U.S. to be designated a World Heritage Site, it offers interesting insights into the history of education of the country.
Charlottesville’s wines are famous around the country, and the Monticello Wine Trail is perfect for trying out the best wines that the region has to offer. For an amazing dinner experience, C & O Restaurant, which has been in business since 1976, will be a great choice.
The city’s busiest bus stop is the Greyhound bus stop located downtown at 310 W Main St. For trains, head over to the nearby Amtrak train station, also on W Main St. Charlottesville is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal, Crescent and Northeast Regional lines. The city’s main airport is the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, 8 miles from the city.
Station Information
Image credit: Funky Tee
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Bill McChesney
Link to image attributionThe Union Station in Charlottesville opened in 1885 and today remains the center of rail transportation in Charlottesville. Three Amtrak lines run through the Charlottesville station: the Cardinal route from Chicago to New York, the Crescent route from New Orleans to New York, and the Northeast Regional route from Roanoke to Boston. Inside the barn-red building, you can have a seat in the indoor waiting room, purchase a snack to go from vending machines, or learn more about Charlottesville from the tourism pamphlets available. The station is just steps away from the University of Virginia campus, and from the station, you can stroll to one of many excellent restaurants along Main Street.
Popular train stations in Charlottesville:
Train Station - 810 W Main St
What train companies travel to Charlottesville, Virginia?
Located in Virginia, Charlottesville is accessible by train from 56 other cities. You can choose from 141 daily scheduled trips when you search for trains to Charlottesville on Wanderu. Amtrak Northeast Regional usually has the most trains on any given day.
Looking for other ways to get there? Bus tickets to Charlottesville are also available..
Train companies serving Charlottesville
| Train | Routes | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 155 | 11h 47m | $207.19 |
| Amtrak Crescent | 27 | 3h 4m | $91.05 |
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | 25 | 4h 34m | $96.68 |
| Amtrak Cardinal | 18 | 4h 58m | $115.54 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey.
The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom.
The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. The Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.
The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café.
Which train carrier has the best service to Charlottesville?
Based on customers travel reviews, travelers who booked on Wanderu rave about traveling to Charlottesville by train with Amtrak giving them a 4.5 rating out of 5.
Travelers also mentioned that Amtrak Northeast Regional had the most comfortable train service to Charlottesville taking into account the seats and amenities that Amtrak Northeast Regional offers. They rate Amtrak Northeast Regional a 4.5 out of 5 when it comes to just how relaxing and enjoyable their experience was onboard.
If you are looking to arrive to Charlottesville punctually, travelers suggest that Amtrak Cardinal has the best on time performance on their train schedules to Charlottesville, rating them a 4.4 based on their on time arrivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main train station in Charlottesville is Train Station - 810 W Main St. As the busiest station, it has the most train arrivals, although some trains may make other stops in and around Charlottesville.
| Departure | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 4h 5m | $85.52 |
| Bridgeport | 10h 25m | $222.06 |
| Portland | 23h 26m | $287.57 |
| Newark | 6h 35m | $174.05 |
| Trenton | 5h 40m | $175.20 |
Top train routes to and from Charlottesville
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