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Cheap train tickets from Charlotte to Durham

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Charlotte to Durham Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Charlotte to Durham?

There are usually 8 daily bus trips from Charlotte to Durham.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
RON 190.39
Avg. Price
RON 129.31
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
8
Daily Trips
3
Duration
Duration
3h 16m
Duration
2h 32m

Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Charlotte to Durham. Traveling by train from Charlotte to Durham usually takes 2 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Piedmont train can make the trip in 2 hours and 21 minutes.

Distance121 mi (195 km)
Fastest train2h 21m
Lowest priceRON 129.31
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Piedmont
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Charlotte to Durham

(Based on 25 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Johnita

7 December 2025- Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont

Pros: Train was full unable to find two seats for me and my daughter until a very nice passenger gave up her where she was sitting by herself so my daughter and I didn't have to sit apart. Cons: No comments. Tips: Arrived early when traveling with children to secure seats together.

5.0

Ellen

14 August 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak

convenience

5.0

Christopher

7 May 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: They space and staff were lovely. Cons: Two for one deals. Tips: Be on time.

4.0

Paul

22 December 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont

Pros: good. Cons: good. Tips: n/a.

5.0

Holly M.

31 October 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont

Pros: Amtrak does a good job!! Cons: Faster train service would be great but excellent value!

Price trends for trains from Charlotte to Durham

Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to Durham by travel date

RON 129RON 86RON 43FebFeb

Monthly average prices

RON 216RON 172RON 129RON 86RON 43MAMJJASONDJF

Prices as travel date approaches

RON 216RON 172RON 129RON 86RON 433020100

Which train should you take from Charlotte to Durham?

2 train services operate from Charlotte to Durham. Amtrak Piedmont usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Carolinian12h 38mRON 129.31
Amtrak Piedmont42h 32mRON 129.31

  • 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 Charlotte and Durham, 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 2 hours and 38 minutes.

  • To accommodate a growing demand for additional train services in North Carolina, the Amtrak Piedmont was established in 1995, offering connections between Charlotte and Raleigh. The route consists of nine stops, with a complete end-to-end trip taking around three hours. The Amtrak Piedmont runs three times daily in either direction. Each train offers WiFi, lavatories, business and coach class seating, and a cafe car to ensure passengers never have to go hungry.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Charlotte to Durham

The distance between Charlotte and Durham is approximately 121 miles, or 195 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 21 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.

On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Charlotte to Durham on Sunday. Tickets for Sunday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Tuesday. Tuesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.

The earliest train departs Charlotte at 06:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Charlotte to Durham.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Durham to Charlotte.

City Information

Charlotte

A mecca for fans of speed in general and for NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is a burgeoning urban center that still retains its southern charm. Even if you are not a hardcore fan of NASCAR, it is still worth taking the time to check it out. Housing more than just plaques dedicated to legendary drivers, the museum also features high-tech exhibits, as well as racing simulators to keep you enthralled. If cars are not your thing, the bustling Uptown area, which houses the city’s top museums such as Discovery Place or Mint Museum Uptown, will offer a day’s worth of interesting facts to enjoy. When you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of Uptown, Freedom Park, located about three miles north of the city center, provides a natural refuge where you can recover.

Charlotte’s food scene is brimming with life, as modernized Southern staples take the city by storm. Perhaps the best place to enjoy the tastiest Southern dishes in town is at Price’s Chicken Coop. If you are looking to enjoy some fine barbecues, Midwood Smokehouse or Noble Smoke might have what you need.

Charlotte’s busiest bus station is at W 4th St in the heart of the city, offering bus trips by several carriers like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines to other cities such as Richmond or New York. The city is served by three Amtrak lines: the Crescent, the Carolinian, and the Piedmont. Travelers can catch these trains at the station on Tryon St in Lockwood. The main airport of the city is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is the sixth-busiest airport in the country. It is located 6 miles from the city center.

Durham

Durham is a little treasure cove for all fans of history and the United States’ heritage. The first and foremost thing you should try out is go on a hike on one of the city’s iconic trails. For a more traditional hiking experience, try the Eno River Trail. If you wish to enjoy a more unique experience, the American Tobacco Trail will be a better choice, as it follows the old CSX railroad. For those who want to explore the city’s rich history, check out the Stagville Plantation, which is now a museum dedicated to the city’s antebellum history, offering a unique historical perspective.

Durham’s food scene is vibrant and exciting. Fans of seafood will definitely be amazed at how fresh and delicious the seafood at Mateo Bar de Tapas is. If you wish to try out Italian eats with a twist, check out Devil’s Pizzeria & Restaurant.

The main bus station is the Transportation Center located at 515 W Pettigrew St in Downtown Durham. From there, you can take a bus to New York, Richmond, Washington D.C., and dozens of other destinations across the country. The main Amtrak train station in Durham is located around the corner from the bus stop at 601 W Main St. Durham is served by Amtrak’s Carolinian and Piedmont lines. The city’s air services are handled by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 12 miles southeast of the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Charlotte?

1914 N Tryon St - CLTAMT-0

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 1914 N Tryon St

The busiest train station in North Carolina is located at 1914 N Tryon St, slightly northeast of downtown Charlotte. This station is the origin point for the Amtrak Carolinian to New York City and the Amtrak Piedmont to Raleigh. The Amtrak Crescent also stops in Charlotte on its route from New York City to New Orleans. The station has free parking and vending machines onsite, and is close to several stations for the local LYNX light rail.

All train stations in Charlotte:

  • 1914 N Tryon St

Where is the train station in Durham?

601 W Main St - DNCAMT-0

Image credit: John Buie

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 601 W Main St

In Durham, Amtrak’s train station is at 601 W Main St, in a historic brick warehouse originally constructed in 1897. The Carolinian line from Charlotte to New York and the Piedmont line from Charlotte to Raleigh both stop at this station in Durham. Inside the station, passengers are greeted by high ceilings (this was once a warehouse, after all!) and can find restrooms, long benches for seating, and Amtrak staff. The same building also hosts an Italian restaurant and pool hall around the corner, and several more restaurants are within a one-block walk. You can even check out the Museum of Durham History on Main St, too. The Durham Amtrak station is located in the city center, close to Duke University and Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Train stations in Durham:

  • 601 W Main St

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Related reading

Need a return trip from Durham to Charlotte?

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