Cheap train tickets from Raleigh to Birmingham
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Raleigh to Birmingham. Travelling by train from Raleigh to Birmingham usually takes 18 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 18 hours and 30 minutes.
- Distance
- 489 mi (788 km)
- Fastest train
- 18h 30m
- Lowest price
- CHF 110.24
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Raleigh to Birmingham Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Raleigh to Birmingham?
There are usually 7 daily bus trips available from Raleigh to Birmingham.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceCHF 144.90 | Avg. PriceCHF 103.22Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips7 |
Duration | Duration18h 43m | Duration13h 2mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Raleigh to Birmingham:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Raleigh to Birmingham?
In the last month, train tickets from Raleigh to Birmingham cost about CHF 110 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 2 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around CHF 59.30 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Raleigh to Birmingham by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Raleigh to Birmingham will cost between CHF 106 and CHF 151. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Raleigh to Birmingham by month
Ticket prices for the train from Raleigh to Birmingham often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only CHF 114. If you're thinking of travelling from Raleigh to Birmingham during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of CHF 140 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Raleigh to Birmingham on Wanderu at least 2 days ahead of time, you can save about CHF 59.30 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Raleigh to Birmingham?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Raleigh to Birmingham. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 18h 43m | CHF 144.90 |
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Raleigh to Birmingham
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Birmingham to Raleigh. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the bus from Raleigh to Birmingham for CHF 78.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
0
The distance between Raleigh and Birmingham is approximately 788 kilometres. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 18 hours and 30 minutes. 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.
Distance (mi)
489
Distance (km)
788
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Raleigh at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Birmingham around 18 hours later.
First train
5:30pm
Last train
7:15pm
Trains from Raleigh to Birmingham are the most crowded on Friday. 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 travelling on Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Monday
City Information
Raleigh



As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travellers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.
Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.
Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city centre at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.
Birmingham



Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.
Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America's iron and steel, Birmingham didn't enter the world's consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.
Today known as America's 'Magic City,' new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city's historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.
The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It's connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain's Vulcan Park, home to the world's largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.
Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travellers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Raleigh?
Main departure station: Union Station


The new multi-million dollar facility of Raleigh’s Union Station has quickly become one of the busiest train stations in North Carolina. Since opening in 2018, the station has expanded to serve over 150,000 passengers every year. Raleigh Union Station is an Amtrak station with routes connecting to major cities along the East Coast, including trips to New York City on the Carolinian or as far as Miami on Amtrak’s Silver Service. In addition, Amtrak’s Piedmont service from Charlotte ends its route in Raleigh. The station is a multi-level facility with tracks on the lower platform and retail shops on the main levels. It’s located in the heart of downtown, within a short walk of Nash Square, the CAM Raleigh art museum, and various restaurant options.
All train stations in Raleigh:
- Union Station
Where is the train station in Birmingham?
Main arrival station: Intermodal Facility

Birmingham's Intermodal Facility is a modern station right in the heart of downtown. It is near the McWane Science Center and only a 10-minute walk to the University of Alabama. The Intermodal Facility is a hub for Amtrak trains, intercity buses, and MAX transit throughout Birmingham, so it's easy to transfer between travel modes all within the same station. Birmingham is a stop on Amtrak's Crescent Line, which runs from New York to New Orleans. The station has an onsite cafe, plus amenities like washrooms, seating, and vending machines.
All train stations in Birmingham:
- Intermodal Facility
Need a return trip from Birmingham to Raleigh?
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