Cheap train tickets from Charlotte to Richmond

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Charlotte to Richmond. Travelling by train from Charlotte to Richmond usually takes 8 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Carolinian train can make the trip in 7 hours and 12 minutes.

Distance: 248 mi (399 km)
Fastest train: 7h 12m
Lowest price: US$48.00
Trains per day: 2
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Charlotte to Richmond Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Charlotte to Richmond?

There are usually 14 daily coach trips from Charlotte to Richmond.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$72.75Cheaper	Avg. PriceUS$84.79
Daily Trips	Daily Trips2	Daily Trips14
Duration	Duration8h 30m	Duration6h 22mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Charlotte to Richmond (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Lytonya

3 May 2023 - Solo travel

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Staff and passengers I was around Cons: Nothing that I can think of Tips: No

4.0

Rebecca

19 July 2021 - Visiting friends

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: People were courteous to one another. I didn't have to drive! Cons: I don't think it's possible to improve this, but in some areas the tracks caused the train ride to be really rough at times. If the train was able to go faster between stops, the trip wouldn't be so long. Long travel times is a serious consideration. Tips: Ride the train. It's a good value, and someone else is doing the driving for you!

There are several train options that can take you from Charlotte to Richmond:

See more details

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

In the last month, train tickets from Charlotte to Richmond cost about US$55 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 7 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$30.88 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to Richmond by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Charlotte to Richmond will cost between US$50 and US$136. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to Richmond by month

Ticket prices for the train from Charlotte to Richmond often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only US$69. If you're thinking of travelling from Charlotte to Richmond during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$105 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Charlotte to Richmond on Wanderu at least 7 days ahead of time, you can save about US$30.88 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Charlotte to Richmond?

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

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	11h 48m	US$108.01
Amtrak Carolinian	1	7h 12m	US$58.83

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 Charlotte to Richmond every day, as well as 1 trip at the weekends, with prices starting from US$57.
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 trip per day between Charlotte and Richmond, all of which include seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power sockets, and snacks available in the Café car. The average Amtrak Carolinian ticket price for this route is US$58.83, and the trip usually lasts around 7 hours and 12 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Charlotte to Richmond

Trains leave the station in Charlotte 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 Richmond 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 Richmond to Charlotte. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Charlotte to Richmond for US$39.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Charlotte and Richmond is approximately 248 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 12 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)

248

Distance (km)

399

The earliest train departs Charlotte at 5:31 while the last train of the day leaves at 6:45. 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

5:31am

Last train

6:45am

Trains from Charlotte to Richmond 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Friday

City Information

Charlotte

A mecca for fans of speed in general and for NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is a burgeoning urban centre 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 NASCAR Hall of Fame 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 centre, 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 coach station is at W 4th St in the heart of the city, offering coach 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. Travellers 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 centre.

Richmond

As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travellers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favourites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for coach travel, and visitors can catch coaches that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Charlotte?

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 Richmond?

Main arrival station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd

Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city centre, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important stop for routes travelling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to holiday destinations along the East Coast in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC local bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.

Train stations in Richmond:

7519 Staples Mill Rd
Main Street Station

Need a return trip from Richmond to Charlotte?

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