Cheap train tickets from Raleigh to Birmingham
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Raleigh to Birmingham. Travelling by train from Raleigh to Birmingham usually takes 18 hours and 30 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- Distance
- 489 mi (788 km)
- Fastest train
- 18h 30m
- Lowest price
- US$153.00
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Raleigh to Birmingham Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from Raleigh to Birmingham?
There are usually 7 daily coach trips from Raleigh to Birmingham.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceUS$160.00 | Avg. PriceUS$122.71Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips7 |
Duration | Duration18h 30m | Duration13h 3mFaster |

There are several train options that can take you from Raleigh to Birmingham:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Raleigh to Birmingham?
In the last month, train tickets from Raleigh to Birmingham cost about US$153 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. The further in advance you book your travels, the more likely it is you can find tickets at this price or lower.
Average train ticket prices from Raleigh to Birmingham by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Raleigh to Birmingham will cost between US$127 and US$154. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Raleigh to Birmingham by month
Ticket prices for the train from Raleigh to Birmingham 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$137. If you're thinking of travelling from Raleigh to Birmingham during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$168 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
You can score the best price on a train ticket from Raleigh to Birmingham by booking on Wanderu in advance. Tickets are nearly always cheaper the further in advance you purchase them.
Which train should you take from Raleigh to Birmingham?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Raleigh to Birmingham. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 18h 30m | US$160.00 |
Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Raleigh to Birmingham
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your hand luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Birmingham to Raleigh. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Raleigh to Birmingham for US$84.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
0
The distance between Raleigh and Birmingham is approximately 489 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 18 hours and 30 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)
489
Distance (km)
788
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Raleigh at 19:15 and arrives in Birmingham around 18 hours later.
First train
7:15pm
Last train
7:15pm
Trains from Raleigh to Birmingham 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
Raleigh



As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travellers. 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 coach station is located outside of the city centre 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.
Birmingham



Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.
Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America's iron and steel, Birmingham didn't enter the world's consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.
Today known as America's 'Magic City,' new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city's historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.
The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It's connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain's Vulcan Park, home to the world's largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.
Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travellers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of coach and train routes to and from Birmingham.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Raleigh?
Main departure 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.
All train stations in Raleigh:
- Union Station
Where is the train station in Birmingham?
Main arrival station: Intermodal Facility

Birmingham's Intermodal Facility is a modern station right in the heart of downtown. It is near the McWane Science Center and only a 10-minute walk to the University of Alabama. The Intermodal Facility is a hub for Amtrak trains, intercity coaches, and MAX transit throughout Birmingham, so it's easy to transfer between travel modes all within the same station. Birmingham is a stop on Amtrak's Crescent Line, which runs from New York to New Orleans. The station has an onsite cafe, plus amenities like toilets, seating, and vending machines.
Train stations in Birmingham:
- Intermodal Facility
Need a return trip from Birmingham to Raleigh?
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