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There are 19 daily trains from Washington DC to Charlotte. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Charlotte usually takes around 28 hours and 21 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in 8 hours,
| Distance | 330 mi (530 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 0m |
| Lowest price | $95.39 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 3 |
Overall score for trains from Washington to Charlotte
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: The train announcements were excellent. Rested well knowing that staff was alert. Cons: Bathroom checks for restock and cleaning would be appreciated.
Pros: The train announcements were excellent. Rested well knowing that staff was alert. Cons: Bathroom checks for restock and cleaning would be appreciated.
In the last month, $260.12 was the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Charlotte. Given how far apart Washington DC and Charlotte are from each other, there's no getting around the fact that most train tickets are on the pricier side. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 27 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $128.08 more than that for a same-day booking.
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Charlotte will vary between C$159 and C$509. Planning a train trip to Charlotte within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Washington over the next 7 days is C$204. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Washington DC to Charlotte by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for January. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just C$110 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Washington DC to Charlotte in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$177 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 27 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Charlotte from Washington will be about C$128.08 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
There are 3 train lines with service from Washington to Charlotte. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 17 trains each day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 17 | 1d 8h 8m | $347.69 |
| Amtrak Carolinian | 1 | 9h 48m | $127.70 |
| Amtrak Crescent | 1 | 8h 0m | $153.80 |
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. On average, there are 17 Amtrak trains from Washington to Charlotte every day, as well as 14 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $97.
The Amtrak Carolinian is a passenger train service which connects New York City and Washington, DC to some of the most charming destinations in North Carolina. The Carolinian runs an average of 1 trips per day between Washington and Charlotte, all of which include seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available in the Café car. The average Amtrak Carolinian ticket price for this route is , and the trip usually lasts around 9 hours and 48 minutes.
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. Train trips from Washington to Charlotte take about 8 hours and 0 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $95.
Is it safe to travel by train from Washington to Charlotte during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from Washington DC to Charlotte?
How long is the train journey from Washington DC to Charlotte?
The distance between Washington DC and Charlotte is approximately 330 miles, or 530 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 28 hours and 21 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours,
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
When are trains the most crowded?
Trains from Washington DC to Charlotte are the most crowded on Saturday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Washington DC to Charlotte?
There are 19 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Charlotte. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Charlotte to Washington DC.
Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.
D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, and follow that up with a drink (or two) at one of the many bars in the area.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
A mecca for fans of speed in general and for NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is a burgeoning urban center that still retains its southern charm. Even if you are not a hardcore fan of NASCAR, it is still worth taking the time to check it out. Housing more than just plaques dedicated to legendary drivers, the museum also features high-tech exhibits, as well as racing simulators to keep you enthralled. If cars are not your thing, the bustling Uptown area, which houses the city’s top museums such as Discovery Place or Mint Museum Uptown, will offer a day’s worth of interesting facts to enjoy. When you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of Uptown, Freedom Park, located about three miles north of the city center, provides a natural refuge where you can recover.
Charlotte’s food scene is brimming with life, as modernized Southern staples take the city by storm. Perhaps the best place to enjoy the tastiest Southern dishes in town is at Price’s Chicken Coop. If you are looking to enjoy some fine barbecues, Midwood Smokehouse or Noble Smoke might have what you need.
Charlotte’s busiest bus station is at W 4th St in the heart of the city, offering bus trips by several carriers like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines to other cities such as Richmond or New York. The city is served by three Amtrak lines: the Crescent, the Carolinian, and the Piedmont. Travelers can catch these trains at the station on Tryon St in Lockwood. The main airport of the city is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is the sixth-busiest airport in the country. It is located 6 miles from the city center.
Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.
Union Station
1301 W 11th St
Columbus, Ohio
11 W Baltimore Ave
Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)
100 Thompsons Pt Rd
350 S Illinois St
100 S EK Gaylord Blvd
MARC Station
King St Station - 303 S Jackson St
7519 Staples Mill Rd
Harbor Park Station
Union Station
110 Callahan Dr
Newark Intl Airport
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionThe busiest train station in North Carolina is located at 1914 N Tryon St, slightly northeast of downtown Charlotte. This station is the origin point for the Amtrak Carolinian to New York City and the Amtrak Piedmont to Raleigh. The Amtrak Crescent also stops in Charlotte on its route from New York City to New Orleans. The station has free parking and vending machines onsite, and is close to several stations for the local LYNX light rail.
1914 N Tryon St
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