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Trains from Washington DC to Charlottesville

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Washington DC - Charlottesville Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are 14 daily trains from Washington DC to Charlottesville. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Charlottesville usually takes around 9 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Distance99 mi (159 km)
Fastest train2h 17m
Lowest price$14.18
Trains per day3
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines4

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Washington to Charlottesville

(Based on 14 ratings and reviews)

4.6

4.0

Linda

May 11, 2022- Couples trip

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Excellent value and convenient. Cons: There was no gate/track posted until 5 minutes before the train was supposed to leave.

Pros: Excellent value and convenient. Cons: There was no gate/track posted until 5 minutes before the train was supposed to leave.

5.0

Lidia

March 16, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

amababilidad, precio y a tiempo

amababilidad, precio y a tiempo

5.0

Jordan

September 10, 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Crescent

Pros: Love traveling by train more leg room, relaxing and way less hassle than air travel. Would recommend and bonus of lovely scenery. Cons: Just knowing where to go and clearer gates would be helpful. Tips: keep things to 2 bags and try for window seats. You can brin...

Pros: Love traveling by train more leg room, relaxing and way less hassle than air travel. Would recommend and bonus of lovely scenery. Cons: Just knowing where to go and clearer gates would be helpful. Tips: keep things to 2 bags and try for window seats. You can bring food on the train.

More

5.0

Melissa

January 17, 2020- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Very efficient and professional, comfortable and easy. Cons: Everything ran like a “Top” in schedule without unforeseen obstacles. Tips: Yes, book your trip early.

Pros: Very efficient and professional, comfortable and easy. Cons: Everything ran like a “Top” in schedule without unforeseen obstacles. Tips: Yes, book your trip early.

4.0

Gage

December 22, 2019- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Staff was very friendly & helpful. Cons: Train was very full and there's not a lot of leg room, for families with young kids, pre-assigned seats might be very helpful. Tips: Get on the train as soon as possible if traveling with little ones.

Pros: Staff was very friendly & helpful. Cons: Train was very full and there's not a lot of leg room, for families with young kids, pre-assigned seats might be very helpful. Tips: Get on the train as soon as possible if traveling with little ones.

Train service from Washington DC to Charlottesville

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What is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Charlottesville?

In the last month, $112.29 was the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Charlottesville. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 29 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $77.51 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

$193$129$64JunJul

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Charlottesville will vary between C$98 and C$178. Planning a train trip to Charlottesville within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Washington over the next 7 days is C$111. 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.

Monthly average prices

$97$77$58$39$19JASONDJFMAMJ

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Washington DC to Charlottesville 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$39 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Washington DC to Charlottesville in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to C$90 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.

Prices as travel date approaches

$193$155$116$77$393020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Charlottesville from Washington will be about C$77.51 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Charlottesville?

There are 4 train lines with service from Washington to Charlottesville. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 11 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak1112h 0m$168.07
Amtrak Cardinal12h 45m$156.41
Amtrak Crescent12h 17m$100.17
Amtrak Northeast Regional22h 43m$29.44
  • Amtrak

    Amtrak

    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 11 Amtrak trains from Washington to Charlottesville every day, as well as 11 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $28.

  • Amtrak Cardinal

    Amtrak Cardinal

    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. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Washington to Charlottesville per day, with an average trip length of 2 hours and 45 minutes.

  • Amtrak Crescent

    Amtrak Crescent

    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 Charlottesville take about 2 hours and 17 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $52.

  • Amtrak Northeast Regional

    Amtrak Northeast Regional

    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. With 2 daily train trips from Washington to Charlottesville, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from Washington to Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Washington DC to Charlottesville. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

How long is the train journey from Washington DC to Charlottesville?

The distance between Washington DC and Charlottesville is approximately 99 miles, or 159 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 4 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 17 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains from Washington DC to Charlottesville 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 9:00pm. 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 Charlottesville?

There are 14 scheduled trains on most days. 3 of these are direct connections to Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville to Washington DC.

City Information

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.

Charlottesville

Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is a historic town 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

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main departure station: Union Station

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.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

  • Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)

  • 7519 Staples Mill Rd

  • Union Station

  • MARC Station

  • Newark Intl Airport

  • 1040 Express Way

  • 100 Middlesex Essex Tpke

  • 110 Callahan Dr

  • 1100 Liberty Ave

  • Harbor Park Station

  • 11 W Baltimore Ave

  • 307 South Stonestreet Ave

  • Hampton Road Transit bus stop

  • Potomac St & Shenandoah St

Where is the train station in Charlottesville?

Train Station - 810 W Main St - CVSAMT-0

Image credit: Funky Tee

Link to image attribution
Train Station - 810 W Main St - CVSAMT-1

Image credit: Bill McChesney

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Train Station - 810 W Main St

The 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.

Train stations in Charlottesville:

  • Train Station - 810 W Main St

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