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Trains from Washington DC to Raleigh

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Washington DC - Raleigh Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

There are 19 daily trains from Washington DC to Raleigh. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Raleigh usually takes around 25 hours and 42 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Silver Service train can make the trip in 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Distance233 mi (375 km)
Fastest train5h 53m
Lowest price£39.23
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Washington to Raleigh

(Based on 11 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Sherely

14 May 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: great experience, will ride againev. Cons: everything was good. Tips: sit back and enjoy the ride.

Pros: great experience, will ride againev. Cons: everything was good. Tips: sit back and enjoy the ride.

4.0

Brenetta

23 April 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Relaxed. Cons: Stats updates. I don't understand why I was not notified of my hate for departure until after I was on he train.

Pros: Relaxed. Cons: Stats updates. I don't understand why I was not notified of my hate for departure until after I was on he train.

5.0

Tammy

4 March 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Silver Service

Pros: Easy trip. Cons: N/A. Tips: No not really.

Pros: Easy trip. Cons: N/A. Tips: No not really.

5.0

Gabriel

29 December 2021- Visiting friends

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Awesome trip! Cons: Nothing. Tips: Relax and enjoy the ride!

Pros: Awesome trip! Cons: Nothing. Tips: Relax and enjoy the ride!

5.0

Vernette

3 December 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak Silver Service

Pros: Train schedule was on time and also getting passengers on the train and off in a timely fashion service was excellent and clean. Cons: Safety Carry on baggage needs to be better checked to improve passengers safety don’t know what are in carry on baggage. Tips...

Pros: Train schedule was on time and also getting passengers on the train and off in a timely fashion service was excellent and clean. Cons: Safety Carry on baggage needs to be better checked to improve passengers safety don’t know what are in carry on baggage. Tips: Less carry on baggage to improve our safety.

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Train service from Washington DC to Raleigh

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

In the last month, £125.31 was the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Raleigh. Tickets are generally somewhat expensive for this particular train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 18 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around £61.88 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£172£114£57MayMay

Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Raleigh will vary between £111 and £165. Planning a train trip to Raleigh within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Washington over the next 7 days is £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

£102£82£61£41£20JJASONDJFMAM

If you are trying to decide when to travel from Washington DC to Raleigh 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 £48 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Washington DC to Raleigh in April, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to £92 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

£163£131£98£65£333020100

If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 18 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Raleigh from Washington will be about £61.88 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Raleigh?

There are 3 train lines with service from Washington to Raleigh. Amtrak is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 17 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak171d 7h 23m£169.09
Amtrak Carolinian16h 14m£44.00
Amtrak Silver Service15h 53m£49.28
  • 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 17 Amtrak trains from Washington to Raleigh every day, as well as 9 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £44.

    AMT-0AMT-1AMT-2AMT-3AMT-4AMT-5AMT-6AMT-7AMT-8AMT-9
  • Amtrak Carolinian

    Amtrak Carolinian

    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 Raleigh, 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 6 hours and 14 minutes.

  • Amtrak Silver Service

    Amtrak Silver Service

    The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Washington to Raleigh start from £39 and the average train journey lasts about 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Washington DC to Raleigh. 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 Raleigh?

The distance between Washington DC and Raleigh is approximately 233 miles, or 375 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 25 hours and 42 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 53 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.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains from Washington DC to Raleigh are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Sunday 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 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:00. 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 Raleigh?

There are 19 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Raleigh. 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 Raleigh 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.

Raleigh

As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. 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 center 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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Departure stations

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

  • Columbus, Ohio

  • Union Station - 400 S Houston St

  • Union Station

  • Union Station

  • Back Bay Station - 145 Dartmouth St

  • Providence Station - 100 Gaspee St

  • South Station

  • Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)

  • 1100 Liberty Ave

  • 11 W Baltimore Ave

  • 350 S Illinois St

  • 5885 Horton St

  • Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St

  • VRE Station - 10399 Premier Ct

Where is the train station in Raleigh?

Union Station - RGHAMT3-0

Image credit: NCDOTcommunications

Link to image attribution
Union Station - RGHAMT3-1

Image credit: NCDOTcommunications

Link to image attribution

Arrival stations

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.

Train stations in Raleigh:

  • Union Station

Related reading

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