Cheap train tickets from Cary to Columbia

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Cary to Columbia. Travelling by train from Cary to Columbia usually takes 5 hours and 34 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Floridian train can make the trip in 4 hours and 9 minutes.

Distance: 178 mi (286 km)
Fastest train: 4h 9m
Lowest price: NOK 226.64
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Cary to Columbia Train Timetable

There are several train options that can take you from Cary to Columbia:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Cary to Columbia?

In the last month, train tickets from Cary to Columbia cost about NOK 346 when booked at the cheapest time. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 10 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 263 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Cary to Columbia by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Cary to Columbia will cost between NOK 264 and NOK 869. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Cary to Columbia by month

Ticket prices for the train from Cary to Columbia often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only NOK 321. If you're thinking of travelling from Cary to Columbia during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 491 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Cary to Columbia on Wanderu at least 10 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 263 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Cary to Columbia?

2 train services operate from Cary to Columbia. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	7h 2m	NOK 475.06
Amtrak Floridian	1	4h 9m	NOK 369.21

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway 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 toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there is 1 Amtrak train from Cary to Columbia every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 302.19.
Amtrak Floridian train tickets from Cary to Columbia start from NOK 226.64, and on average cost NOK 369.21. Daily, Amtrak Floridian runs one schedule to Columbia. Amtrak Floridian in Cary leaves from 211 N Academy St. And in Columbia trains arrive at 850 Pulaski St.
From Cary to Columbia train travel on Amtrak Floridian takes 4 hours and 9 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Columbia on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Floridian scheduled trip per day, which will cost NOK 226.64 for a one-way weekend reservation from Cary.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Cary to Columbia

Trains leave the station in Cary twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Columbia faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbia to Cary.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Cary and Columbia is approximately 178 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 34 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 9 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 patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

178

Distance (km)

286

The earliest train departs Cary at 17:22 while the last train of the day leaves at 20:16. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

5:22pm

Last train

8:16pm

Trains from Cary to Columbia are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Sunday

City Information

Cary

Cary is a town in North Carolina's Research Triangle and a fast-growing suburb of Raleigh. Known for its robust dining scene and the sports teams it hosts, Cary is a top destination in the Raleigh-Durham area. North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage share the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, and the city also hosts the USA Baseball National Training Complex, where you can attend many amateur and pre-professional baseball events throughout the year.

Outdoor enthusiasts can check out hiking and running trails on the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and American Tobacco Trail, a 22-mile rail-trail from Durham to Wake County.

The city of Cary also features a bustling craft beer scene, best experienced at one of its taverns, pubs, ale houses, or breweries. Fortnight Brewing Company and Bond Brothers Beer Company are two of many to check out. Downtown Cary is a charming neighbourhood teeming with cafes, art centres, neighbourhood bars, boutique hotels, and outdoor green spaces. Of course, the highlight of any visit to Cary is its dining scene: lick the barbecue sauce from your fingers at Brew N Que or savor a pastry at La Farm Bakery.

Three Amtrak trains, the Carolinian, Piedmont, and Silver Service, stop in Cary on their north-south routes. Train service makes it easy to reach Charlotte, New York, and Miami from Cary. Access intercity coach service in nearby Raleigh, where Greyhound, Tornado Bus, Wanda Coach, and more provide service to destinations throughout the South and the country at large.

Columbia

As the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia offers plenty of historic attractions and exciting activities that will keep tourists of all ages satisfied. Sitting at the heart of the city is the South Carolina State Museum, which boasts the most impressive collection of permanent and changing exhibits in the state, as well as in the Southeast. One of the top highlights of the museum is its amazing planetarium that has a height of 55 feet. If you are travelling with kids, EdVenture should certainly be on your list. The museum’s prime attraction is a giant 10-year-old with his own fake digestive tracts and vertebrae, allowing kids to explore anatomy with ease. Nature lovers should not miss out on the chance to enjoy an outdoor day at Lake Murray, which features a vast range of activities such as boating, fishing, paddling, etc.

Columbia features an exciting food scene that is brimming with new talents. For an amazing lunch, The Gourmet Shop and their famous chicken salad will be a great choice. If you wish to enjoy a dinner with wine, Lula Drake is the place to be.

Columbia’s principal coach station is located 710-A Buckner Rd on the outskirts of the city. The main Amtrak train station is located on Pulaski St in the heart of downtown near the University of South Carolina campus. Columbia is served by Amtrak’s Silver Service line. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport and it is located five miles southwest of the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Cary?

Main departure station: 211 N Academy St

There is one train station in Cary.

All train stations in Cary:

211 N Academy St

Where is the train station in Columbia?

Main arrival station: 850 Pulaski St

The Columbia Amtrak Station at 850 Pulaski St is the only train station in Columbia, SC. The station is served by the Amtrak Silver Star train, which travels from New York City to Miami. Built in 1991, the Columbia Station is a steel structure located three miles from the city's downtown area and not far from the University of South Carolina campus. It offers an indoor waiting area, an information kiosk, and toilets. The station was moved to the current Pulaski Street site from Gervais Street, where the former red-brick Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station stood.

Train stations in Columbia:

850 Pulaski St

Need a return trip from Columbia to Cary?

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