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Cheap train tickets from Washington DC to Raleigh

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Washington DC to Raleigh Train Schedule

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

There are usually 9 daily bus trips available from Washington to Raleigh.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$70.07
Avg. Price
$55.11
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
9
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
5h 25m
Duration
6h 3m

Trip Summary

You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Washington DC and Raleigh. The average train journey from Washington DC to Raleigh takes 6 hours and 3 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 5 hours and 53 minutes.

Distance233 mi (375 km)
Fastest train5h 53m
Lowest price$46.00
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 Raleigh

(Based on 27 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Roger

May 14, 2024- Vacation

Amtrak Silver Service

Pros: Nice train. Cons: Updates as to status of trip. Tips: Check status of train.

4.0

Portia

March 25, 2024

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Courteous conductors. Cons: Cleanliness of the bathrooms. Tips: Check in heavy and big luggage. It’s safe.

4.0

HARVEY

November 4, 2023- Business

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: site seeing. Cons: Announcements sometimes need to be loud. Tips: Keeping time.

5.0

Claudia

June 29, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Comfortable. Cons: Ability to upgrade. Tips: Will explore for sure.

4.0

kabala

June 20, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: The comfort. Cons: It was too cold. Try to bring the AC down. Tips: It is a good deal travelling by train.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington to Raleigh was $52.29. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $79.16 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

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

$75$50$25JanJan

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Raleigh is expected to fluctuate between $50 and $64 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Raleigh in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Washington is $53.

Monthly avg. prices

$100$80$60$40$20FMAMJJASONDJ
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Washington DC to Raleigh, with the average price at just $61. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in July, when the average price goes up to $83. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$125$100$75$50$253020100

By booking your train trip from Washington to Raleigh on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $79.16 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Washington DC to Raleigh?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak15h 53m$86.73
Amtrak Carolinian16h 14m$68.26

  • 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 Raleigh every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $53.

  • 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 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 6 hours and 14 minutes.

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

The distance between Washington DC and Raleigh is approximately 233 miles, or 375 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 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.

Trains from Washington DC to Raleigh are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 traveling on Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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.

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 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 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.

All train stations in Raleigh:

  • Union Station

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