Cheap train tickets from Cary to Columbia
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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Cary to Columbia. Traveling by train from Cary to Columbia usually takes 5 hours and 33 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 9 minutes.
| Distance | 178 mi (286 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 9m |
| Lowest price | €21.10 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Cary to Columbia?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Cary to Columbia was €31.34. At this price, taking the train is the cheap and easy way to go. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Columbia if you book your train tickets at least 29 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra €5.52.
Average train ticket prices from Cary to Columbia by travel date
The average cost of a one-way train trip from Cary to Columbia is expected to fluctuate between €25 and €66 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Columbia in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Cary is €41.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Cary to Columbia. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around €5.52. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Which train should you take from Cary to Columbia?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Cary to Columbia. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 5h 34m | €36.48 |
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 Columbia every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €21.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Cary to Columbia
The distance between Cary and Columbia is approximately 178 miles, or 286 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 9 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 Cary to Columbia are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 5:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. 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 Cary twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. One of these is a direct train, which will typically get you to Columbia faster. While it might still have stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains during your trip.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Columbia to Cary.
City Information
Cary
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.
Columbia
As the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia offers plenty of historic attractions and exciting activities that will keep tourists of all ages satisfied. Sitting at the heart of the city is the South Carolina State Museum, which boasts the most impressive collection of permanent and changing exhibits in the state, as well as in the Southeast. One of the top highlights of the museum is its amazing planetarium that has a height of 55 feet. If you are traveling with kids, EdVenture should certainly be on your list. The museum’s prime attraction is a giant 10-year-old with his own fake digestive tracts and vertebrae, allowing kids to explore anatomy with ease. Nature lovers should not miss out on the chance to enjoy an outdoor day at Lake Murray, which features a vast range of activities such as boating, fishing, paddling, etc.
Columbia features an exciting food scene that is brimming with new talents. For an amazing lunch, The Gourmet Shop and their famous chicken salad will be a great choice. If you wish to enjoy a dinner with wine, Lula Drake is the place to be.
Columbia’s principal bus station is located 710-A Buckner Rd on the outskirts of the city. The main Amtrak train station is located on Pulaski St in the heart of downtown near the University of South Carolina campus. Columbia is served by Amtrak’s Silver Service line. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport and it is located five miles southwest of the city.
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 Columbia?
Image credit: Hikki Nagasaki
Main arrival station: 850 Pulaski St
The Columbia Amtrak Station at 850 Pulaski St is the only train station in Columbia, SC. The station is served by the Amtrak Silver Star train, which travels from New York City to Miami. Built in 1991, the Columbia Station is a steel structure located three miles from the city's downtown area and not far from the University of South Carolina campus. It offers an indoor waiting area, an information kiosk, and restrooms. The station was moved to the current Pulaski Street site from Gervais Street, where the former red-brick Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station stood.
All train stations in Columbia:
850 Pulaski St
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