Cheap train tickets from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC. Traveling by train from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC usually takes 10 hours and 8 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Carolinian train can make the trip in 8 hours and 17 minutes.

Distance: 322 mi (518 km)
Fastest train: 8h 17m
Lowest price: RON 335.45
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC Train Schedule

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC (Based on 1 rating and review)

4.0

Barbara

June 29, 2025 - Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Coach was better than business Cons: Refurbishing Didn't understand conductor's instructions.

There are several train options that can take you from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC?

In the last month, train tickets from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC cost about RON 433 when booked at the cheapest time. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 23 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 685.28 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC will cost between RON 369 and RON 1,490. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC by month

Ticket prices for the train from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC 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 RON 527. If you're thinking of traveling from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 834 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC on Wanderu at least 23 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 685.28 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC?

2 train services operate from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 3 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	3	10h 17m	RON 705.62
Amtrak Carolinian	1	9h 37m	RON 703.62

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 3 Amtrak trains from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC every day, as well as 3 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from RON 335.45.
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 trip per day between Wilmington, DE and Raleigh, NC, 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 RON 703.62, and the trip usually lasts around 9 hours and 37 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Raleigh, NC to Wilmington, DE.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Wilmington, DE and Raleigh, NC is approximately 322 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 8 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 17 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.

Distance (mi)

322

Distance (km)

518

The earliest train departs Wilmington, DE at 4:45 AM while the last train of the day leaves at 11:03 AM. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

First train

4:45am

Last train

11:03am

Trains from Wilmington, DE to Raleigh, NC are the most crowded on Friday. 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.

Busiest

Friday

Least crowded

Saturday

City Information

Wilmington

Wilmington is a major city in Delaware, established at the site of the first Swedish settlement in North America. The charming city, at the confluence of the Brandywine River and Christina River, offers easy connections to the lush countryside of Brandywine Valley. Thanks to the venerable du Pont family, who established the DuPont Company in Wilmington in 1802, the city is filled with grand estates and magnificent gardens for visitors to enjoy. The Hagley Museum & Library is the ultimate example. The expansive complex includes the first home of the du Pont family, powder yards from the company's initial gunpowder mill, and a Renaissance-style garden complete with terraces.

To dive deeper into the city's history, check out the Fort Christina State Park, the site of Wilmington's original Swedish settlement nearly 400 years ago. Other popular attractions include the Delaware Art Museum and Brandywine Zoo.

Wilmington is easy to access from most of the mid-Atlantic region and is located between Philadelphia and Washington. In 2011, the city's Amtrak train station was renamed the Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Railroad Station in honor of rail enthusiast Joe Biden, who often commuted via Amtrak from Wilmington to Washington during his time as a Senator. Buses from Wilmington also connect to cities like New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Since the regional Wilmington Airport does not offer civilian flights, travelers can easily take a bus to the airport in Philadelphia for any air travel out of the area.

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 Wilmington, DE?

Main departure station: Amtrak/SEPTA Station

There is one train station in Wilmington, DE.

All train stations in Wilmington, DE:

Amtrak/SEPTA Station

Where is the train station in Raleigh, NC?

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, NC:

Union Station
1025 Blue Ridge Rd

Need a return trip from Raleigh, NC to Wilmington, DE?

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