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Trip Summary
There is usually just one train option from Charlottesville to Birmingham per day. The average train journey from Charlottesville to Birmingham takes 16 hours and 53 minutes, though some trains might be a few minutes slower or faster.
| Distance | 561 mi (902 km) |
| Fastest train | 16h 53m |
| Lowest price | €125.34 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Crescent |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Charlottesville to Birmingham
Monthly average prices
Which train should you take from Charlottesville to Birmingham?
Amtrak Crescent is the one and only train line which connects Charlottesville 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 Crescent | 1 | 16h 53m | €148.14 |
The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom. Train trips from Charlottesville to Birmingham take about 16 hours and 53 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from €125.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Charlottesville and Birmingham is approximately 561 miles, or 902 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 16 hours and 53 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 spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Charlottesville to Birmingham. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Sunday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Charlottesville at 20:00 and arrives in Birmingham around 16 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Birmingham with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Birmingham to Charlottesville.
City Information
Charlottesville
Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is one of Virginia's best destinations with plenty of interesting attractions to draw in not only fans of history but also of arts and culture. The prime attraction of the city is the famous estate of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. This 5000-acre mansion is an architectural masterpiece that combines Parisian and Italian elements, giving you a day’s worth of exploration. For those looking for a more idyllic landscape, try Carter Mountain Orchard, which offers apple-picking sessions as well. The University of Charlottesville is also a must-not-miss destination. As the only university in the U.S. to be designated a World Heritage Site, it offers interesting insights into the history of education of the country.
Charlottesville’s wines are famous around the country, and the Monticello Wine Trail is perfect for trying out the best wines that the region has to offer. For an amazing dinner experience, C & O Restaurant, which has been in business since 1976, will be a great choice.
The city’s busiest bus stop is the Greyhound bus stop located downtown at 310 W Main St. For trains, head over to the nearby Amtrak train station, also on W Main St. Charlottesville is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal, Crescent and Northeast Regional lines. The city’s main airport is the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, 8 miles from the city.
Birmingham
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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. Travelers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Charlottesville?
Image credit: Funky Tee
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Bill McChesney
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Train Station - 810 W Main St
The Union Station in Charlottesville opened in 1885 and today remains the center of rail transportation in Charlottesville. Three Amtrak lines run through the Charlottesville station: the Cardinal route from Chicago to New York, the Crescent route from New Orleans to New York, and the Northeast Regional route from Roanoke to Boston. Inside the barn-red building, you can have a seat in the indoor waiting room, purchase a snack to go from vending machines, or learn more about Charlottesville from the tourism pamphlets available. The station is just steps away from the University of Virginia campus, and from the station, you can stroll to one of many excellent restaurants along Main Street.
All train stations in Charlottesville:
Train Station - 810 W Main St
Where is the train station in Birmingham?
Image credit: Birmingham Photographer J.g.
Link to image attributionMain 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 buses, 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 restrooms, seating, and vending machines.
Train stations in Birmingham:
Intermodal Facility
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