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Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Cary

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Washington DC to Cary Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Washington DC and Cary. The average train journey from Washington DC to Cary takes 6 hours and 26 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 6 hours and 18 minutes.

Distance236 mi (379 km)
Fastest train6h 18m
Lowest price€43.18
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington to Cary

(Based on 7 ratings and reviews)

4.3

5.0

Jeane

July 3, 2024- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Everything went well, except for one passenger who was very loud in the car for almost 5 hours. Cons: N/A. Tips: N/A.

3.0

Anna

June 2, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Traveling by train was much better for me than driving and even though the train was pretty late and completely full I would do it again. I would pack more clothes &/or a blanket bc it was very cold. Food bought onboard is very expensive too. Cons: Making sure trains adhere to schedules better. Our engineer kept us waiting 1.5 hours. Tips: Bring warm extra clothes and a blanket as well as snacks/food.

4.0

Herman

March 24, 2024- Vacation

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Okay for the price. Cons: Clean/check the restroom and cars frequently. Tips: Allow delays for travelling.

4.0

Daniel

March 21, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Carolinian

Delaying isn’t very good. Wi-Fi was weak during the trip

4.0

Brooke

December 22, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: I love the rock and roll of trains - very relaxing time out of time. Cons: For Heaven's sake, wash the windows. One of the main joys of train travel is to enjoy looking out the window at the scenery. That is seriously diminished with filthy windows that show no care whatsoever. It makes me feel less like taking your train. Tips: Ask for porter help if you need it, and tip generously ;-).

What is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Cary?

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Washington to Cary was €47.23. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Cary if you book your train tickets at least 23 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra €36.62.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Cary by travel date

€69€46€23MarMar

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Cary will range from €45 to €65. If you're planning to travel by train to Cary in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Washington you can find in the next 7 days is €46. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Cary by month

€92€74€55€37€18AMJJASONDJFM
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Cary often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only €56. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Cary during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of €78 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

€115€92€69€46€233020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Washington to Cary, book online with Wanderu at least 23 days in advance. That way, you’ll save €36.62 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Cary?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak16h 19m€50.42
Amtrak Carolinian16h 33m€57.26

  • 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 1 Amtrak trains from Washington to Cary every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €46.

  • 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 Washington and Cary, 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 6 hours and 33 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington DC to Cary

The distance between Washington DC and Cary is approximately 236 miles, or 379 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 hours and 18 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.

Trains departing from Washington DC to Cary tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. 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 Washington DC at 11:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Trains leave the station in Washington DC twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Cary with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Cary to Washington DC.

City Information

Washington DC

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Cary

Cary, NC, US - CYN-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Cary is a town in North Carolina's Research Triangle and a fast-growing suburb of Raleigh. Known for its robust dining scene and the sports teams it hosts, Cary is a top destination in the Raleigh-Durham area. North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage share the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, and the city also hosts the USA Baseball National Training Complex, where you can attend many amateur and pre-professional baseball events throughout the year.

Outdoor enthusiasts can check out hiking and running trails on the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and American Tobacco Trail, a 22-mile rail-trail from Durham to Wake County.

The city of Cary also features a bustling craft beer scene, best experienced at one of its taverns, pubs, ale houses, or breweries. Fortnight Brewing Company and Bond Brothers Beer Company are two of many to check out. Downtown Cary is a charming neighborhood teeming with cafes, art centers, neighborhood bars, boutique hotels, and outdoor green spaces. Of course, the highlight of any visit to Cary is its dining scene: lick the barbecue sauce from your fingers at Brew N Que or savor a pastry at La Farm Bakery.

Three Amtrak trains, the Carolinian, Piedmont, and Silver Service, stop in Cary on their north-south routes. Train service makes it easy to reach Charlotte, New York, and Miami from Cary. Access intercity bus service in nearby Raleigh, where Greyhound, Tornado Bus, Wanda Coach, and more provide service to destinations throughout the South and the country at large.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main departure station: Union Station

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

Where is the train station in Cary?

Main arrival station: 211 N Academy St

Cary has one train station.

All train stations in Cary:

  • 211 N Academy St

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