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Cheap train tickets from Cary to Charlotte

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Cary to Charlotte Train Schedule

Trip Summary

You can pick from 6 daily train trips between Cary and Charlotte. The average train journey from Cary to Charlotte takes 3 hours and 39 minutes, but some Amtrak Northeast Regional train trips are as short as 2 hours and 46 minutes.

Distance122 mi (197 km)
Fastest train2h 46m
Lowest price$30.00
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Piedmont
Train lines4

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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.

See more details

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

Over the past month, a train ticket between Cary and Charlotte cost $31.77, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Charlotte. Booking your trip at least 27 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $1.36 more.

Monthly avg. prices

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Ticket prices for the train from Cary to Charlotte stay pretty consistent throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $30 regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Charlotte at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.

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
Amtrak17h 8m$39.83
Amtrak Carolinian13h 17m$31.34
Amtrak Northeast Regional12h 47m$30.87
Amtrak Piedmont32h 57m$30.87

  • 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 Cary to Charlotte every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $30.

  • 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 , and the trip usually lasts around 3 hours and 17 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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Cary to Charlotte. 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.
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 39 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.

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

The earliest train departs Cary at 6:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

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.

City Information

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.

Charlotte

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?

1914 N Tryon St - CLTAMT-0

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: 1914 N Tryon St

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

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