Cheap train tickets from Washington, DC to Charlottesville
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Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Washington DC to Charlottesville. Traveling by train from Washington DC to Charlottesville usually takes 2 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in 2 hours and 17 minutes.
| Distance | 99 mi (159 km) |
| Fastest train | 2h 17m |
| Lowest price | $16.00 |
| Trains per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Northeast Regional |
| Train lines | 3 |
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Washington to Charlottesville Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Washington to Charlottesville?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Washington, DC to Charlottesville.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$55.94 | Avg. Price$30.25Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips3 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration2h 29mFaster | Duration3h 35m |
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Washington to Charlottesville (Based on 24 ratings and reviews)
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There are several train options that can take you from Washington to Charlottesville:
- Amtrak Northeast Regional: 2 daily trains from $16
- Amtrak Crescent: 1 daily train from $48
- Amtrak Cardinal: 1 daily train from $48
What is the price of a train ticket from Washington DC to Charlottesville?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Washington, DC to Charlottesville was $33.33. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 25 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $69.05 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Charlottesville by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to Charlottesville will cost between $28 and $48. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Washington DC to Charlottesville by month
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to Charlottesville 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 $41. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to Charlottesville during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $116 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Washington, DC to Charlottesville on Wanderu at least 25 days ahead of time, you can save about $69.05 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Washington to Charlottesville?
There are multiple trains that travel from Washington to Charlottesville, including Amtrak Northeast Regional, Amtrak Crescent, Amtrak Cardinal. Here is what you should know about the 3 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | 2 | 2h 31m | $31.34 |
| Amtrak Crescent | 1 | 2h 17m | $73.24 |
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 2h 44m | $120.19 |
The Northeast Regional is Amtrak’s passenger rail service that runs between Boston, MA and Virginia Beach, VA, connecting over 50 cities in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. While the line’s downtown-to-downtown train service makes traveling between the biggest cities in the Northeast convenient and hassle-free, the train’s amenities make the journey comfortable and relaxing as well. Amtrak passengers can enjoy large seats with extra legroom and power outlets, as well as free WiFi and clean bathrooms. With 2 daily train trips from Washington, DC to Charlottesville, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.
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 Washington, DC to Charlottesville take about 2 hours and 17 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $48.
The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Washington, DC to Charlottesville per day, with an average trip length of 2 hours and 44 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Washington to Charlottesville
There are 3 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Washington DC to Charlottesville. You can also take a train for your return trip from Charlottesville to Washington DC. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Washington DC to Charlottesville for $21.
TRIPS PER DAY
3
DIRECT TRIPS
3
The distance between Washington DC and Charlottesville is approximately 99 miles, or 159 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 29 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 17 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.
DISTANCE (MI)
99
DISTANCE (KM)
159
The earliest train departs Washington DC at 7:30am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:30pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
7:30am
LATEST TRAIN
6:30pm
Trains from Washington DC to Charlottesville are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Tuesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Tuesday
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from in Washington?
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:
- Union Station
Where does the train arrive in Charlottesville?
Main arrival 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
Need a return trip from Charlottesville to Washington?
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