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Cheap train tickets from Charlotte to Raleigh

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Charlotte to Raleigh Train Timetable

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

There are usually 9 daily bus trips from Charlotte to Raleigh.

Coach
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£54.74
Avg. Price
£22.75
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
9
Daily Trips
4
Duration
Duration
4h 39m
Duration
3h 12m

Trip Summary

There are usually 5 daily train trips available from Charlotte to Raleigh. Traveling by train from Charlotte to Raleigh usually takes 3 hours and 12 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Piedmont train can make the trip in 2 hours and 59 minutes.

Distance130 mi (209 km)
Fastest train2h 59m
Lowest price£22.75
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines3

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Charlotte to Raleigh

(Based on 24 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Jasmine

18 June 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Piedmont

i enjoyed it very much felt safe traveling solo

5.0

Katie

16 April 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: I like that it was not too crowded. I appreciated having the seat next to me open. I thought the seats were comfortable. Also, the variety of food, drinks, snacks in the cafe were really nice to see. Cons: The WiFi on my car was not functioning. I chose train travel because I planned to work during my ride but was unable to, costing me a work day.

5.0

Jean

18 October 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Piedmont

Pros: Friendly staff. Cons: No comment. Tips: Much safer and cleaner and better staff than taking bus.

5.0

Cathy L

28 September 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak

Cons: I was cold. Tips: Bring a sweater.

5.0

Gregory

27 June 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak Carolinian

Convenient

See more details

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

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Charlotte to Raleigh was £22.75. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Raleigh if you book your train tickets at least 10 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra £0.96.

Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to Raleigh by travel date

£24£16£8DecDec

If you're planning a train trip from Charlotte to Raleigh in the upcoming month, you'll be happy to know that ticket prices are expected to remain stable. You can book your trip for any day within the next four weeks and expect to pay around £23.

Monthly average prices

£39£31£24£16£8JFMAMJJASOND
Mark your calendar for May if you want to score the cheapest train tickets from Charlotte to Raleigh. You’ll find the best deals during this time of year, when tickets cost an average of £21. If you're planning a trip from Charlotte to Raleigh during November, bear in mind that ticket prices are usually higher during this month. Expect to pay about £39 for your train ticket, unless you book well in advance and find an even better deal.

Prices as travel date approaches

£39£31£24£16£83020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Charlotte to Raleigh, book online with Wanderu at least 10 days in advance. That way, you’ll save £0.96 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Charlotte to Raleigh?

There are 3 train lines with service from Charlotte to Raleigh. Amtrak is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak23h 12m£22.75
Amtrak Carolinian13h 20m£22.85
Amtrak Piedmont23h 8m£22.77

  • 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 2 Amtrak trains from Charlotte to Raleigh every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £23.

  • 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 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 3 hours and 20 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 Raleigh

The distance between Charlotte and Raleigh is approximately 130 miles, or 209 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 12 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 59 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.

Trains departing from Charlotte to Raleigh tend to have the most passengers on Sunday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Sunday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

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 Raleigh.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Raleigh 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.

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 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 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

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