Wanderu Logo
United Kingdom flag
  • Canada
£
Log in
background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Washington DC to Raleigh train

chiku-mobile
Available on iOS & Android
Lowest Prices

We partner with the top coach & train carriers to bring you the best deals.

Best Travel Options

We help you find & compare the best buses & trains in one place.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

Washington DC - Raleigh Train Timetable

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from£24.14

Trip Summary

You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Washington DC and Raleigh. The average train journey from Washington DC to Raleigh takes 6 hours and 17 minutes, but some Amtrak Silver Service train trips are as short as 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Distance233 mi (375 km)
Fastest train5h 53m
Lowest price£27.36
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Carolinian
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Washington to Raleigh

(Based on 24 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Portia

25 March 2024

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Courteous conductors. Cons: Cleanliness of the bathrooms. Tips: Check in heavy and big luggage. It’s safe.

4.0

HARVEY

4 November 2023- Business

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: site seeing. Cons: Announcements sometimes need to be loud. Tips: Keeping time.

5.0

Claudia

29 June 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Comfortable. Cons: Ability to upgrade. Tips: Will explore for sure.

4.0

kabala

20 June 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: The comfort. Cons: It was too cold. Try to bring the AC down. Tips: It is a good deal travelling by train.

4.0

Bal

13 February 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Well I had my seat all by myself and that allowed me to stretch my legs and make myself very comfortable. Cons: Not anything I could think about right now. Tips: No tips for now.

See more details

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

In the last month, £47.31 was the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Raleigh. 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 £81.12 more than that for a same-day booking.

Average prices by travel date

£72£48£24AprApr

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Raleigh is expected to fluctuate between £40 and £72 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Raleigh in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Washington is £43.

Monthly average prices

£80£64£48£32£16MJJASONDJFMA
You can find the lowest prices on this route during September. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Washington DC to Raleigh, with the average price at just £48. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in July, when the average price goes up to £69. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

£80£64£48£32£163020100

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 Raleigh from Washington will be about £81.12 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. There is only one daily train on each service.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak12d 23h 39m£487.83
Amtrak Carolinian16h 14m£52.68
Amtrak Silver Service15h 53m£68.16

  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Washington to Raleigh every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £161.

  • 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.

  • 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 £48 and the average train journey lasts about 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

The distance between Washington DC and Raleigh is approximately 233 miles, or 375 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 17 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.

Trains from Washington DC to Raleigh are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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.

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 09:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 15:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Trains leave the station in Washington DC twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Raleigh with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.

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, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

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

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

  • Pacific Central Station

  • 10251 St Edwards Dr

  • Aldershot Station - 1199 Waterdown Rd

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

Main arrival 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.

Train stations in Raleigh:

  • Union Station

Get around town with Moovit

Download Moovit to see all of your local transit options in Raleigh. Download here

Related reading

Need a return trip from Raleigh to Washington DC?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Washington DC

Continue by train from Raleigh

Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book coach and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare coach and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap coach and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading coach and train companies, we always have the best coach and train deals out there.

Book coaches and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android