Cheap train tickets from Cary to Charlotte

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Trip Summary

There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Cary to Charlotte. Traveling by train from Cary to Charlotte usually takes 3 hours and 51 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can make the trip in 2 hours and 46 minutes.

Distance
122 mi (197 km)
Fastest train
2h 46m
Lowest price
$18.00
Trains per day
5
Most frequent service
Amtrak Piedmont
Train lines
4

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Cary to Charlotte Train Schedule

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Cary to Charlotte (Based on 28 ratings and reviews)

4.9

5.0

Annette

February 12, 2026 - Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont
Pros: Very pleasant experience, smooth ride, clean environment, great wi-fi, very reasonable price Tips: Use train more often

5.0

Lorah

May 24, 2024 - Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont
Cons: I feel all was good for me Tips: Just be friendly to the staff and don't carry many bags else you would forget some.

5.0

Colleen

April 28, 2024 - Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont
Pros: The convivence of not having to deal with traffic. Cons: Nothing much Tips: If you have a party traveling together, they have seating for parties of four which is nice.

5.0

Gene

September 28, 2023 - Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont
Pros: The peace and quiet. Cons: Vending machines doesn’t take card. Only cash, a little inconvenient especially riding for 3 hours. Tips: Bring cash, relax, and enjoy the ride!

5.0

SURYA SAI

August 25, 2023 - Solo travel

Amtrak Northeast Regional
Pros: Liked the journey Cons: None Tips: None

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Cary to Charlotte was $31.41. 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 23 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $1.70 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Cary to Charlotte by travel date

$45$30$15SepSep

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Cary to Charlotte will cost between $29 and $33. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Cary to Charlotte by month

$50$40$30$20$10JFMAMJJASOND

Taking the train from Cary to Charlotte usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around $31 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$1001020

The price of train trips from Cary to Charlotte doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.

Which train should you take from Cary to Charlotte?

There are 4 train lines with service from Cary to Charlotte. Amtrak Piedmont is the most popular choice with travelers, offering scheduled service on 3 trains each day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak25h 59m$32.38
Amtrak Carolinian13h 31m$32.27
Amtrak Northeast Regional13h 2m$32.00
Amtrak Piedmont33h 6m$32.00
  • 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 2 Amtrak trains from Cary to Charlotte every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $18.

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  • 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 Cary and Charlotte, 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 $32.27, and the trip usually lasts around 3 hours and 31 minutes.

  • 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 1 daily train trips from Cary to Charlotte, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

  • To accommodate a growing demand for additional train services in North Carolina, the Amtrak Piedmont was established in 1995, offering connections between Charlotte and Raleigh. The route consists of nine stops, with a complete end-to-end trip taking around three hours. The Amtrak Piedmont runs three times daily in either direction. Each train offers WiFi, lavatories, business and coach class seating, and a cafe car to ensure passengers never have to go hungry.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Cary to Charlotte

There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. 5 of these are direct connections to Charlotte. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice. You can also take a train for your return trip from Charlotte to Cary.

Trains per day

6

Direct trains

5

The distance between Cary and Charlotte is approximately 122 miles, or 197 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 51 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 46 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)

122

Distance (km)

197

The earliest train departs Cary at 6:27am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:28pm. 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

6:27am

Last train

7:28pm

Trains from Cary to Charlotte 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Thursday

City Information

Cary

Cary, NC, US - CYN-0

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.

Charlotte

CLT-0CLT-1CLT-2

A mecca for fans of speed in general and for NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is a burgeoning urban center that still retains its southern charm. Even if you are not a hardcore fan of NASCAR, it is still worth taking the time to check it out. Housing more than just plaques dedicated to legendary drivers, the museum also features high-tech exhibits, as well as racing simulators to keep you enthralled. If cars are not your thing, the bustling Uptown area, which houses the city’s top museums such as Discovery Place or Mint Museum Uptown, will offer a day’s worth of interesting facts to enjoy. When you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of Uptown, Freedom Park, located about three miles north of the city center, provides a natural refuge where you can recover.

Charlotte’s food scene is brimming with life, as modernized Southern staples take the city by storm. Perhaps the best place to enjoy the tastiest Southern dishes in town is at Price’s Chicken Coop. If you are looking to enjoy some fine barbecues, Midwood Smokehouse or Noble Smoke might have what you need.

Charlotte’s busiest bus station is at W 4th St in the heart of the city, offering bus trips by several carriers like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines to other cities such as Richmond or New York. The city is served by three Amtrak lines: the Crescent, the Carolinian, and the Piedmont. Travelers can catch these trains at the station on Tryon St in Lockwood. The main airport of the city is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is the sixth-busiest airport in the country. It is located 6 miles from the city center.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Cary?

Main departure station: 211 N Academy St

There is one train station in Cary.

All train stations in Cary:

  • 211 N Academy St

Where is the train station in Charlotte?

Main arrival station: 1914 N Tryon St

1914 N Tryon St - CLTAMT-0

The busiest train station in North Carolina is located at 1914 N Tryon St, slightly northeast of downtown Charlotte. This station is the origin point for the Amtrak Carolinian to New York City and the Amtrak Piedmont to Raleigh. The Amtrak Crescent also stops in Charlotte on its route from New York City to New Orleans. The station has free parking and vending machines onsite, and is close to several stations for the local LYNX light rail.

All train stations in Charlotte:

  • 1914 N Tryon St

Need a return trip from Charlotte to Cary?

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