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Cheap train tickets from Charlotte to Wilmington

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Charlotte to Wilmington Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Charlotte to Wilmington?

There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Charlotte to Wilmington.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
£74.64
Avg. Price
£121.42
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
3
Daily Trips
2
Duration
Duration
13h 36m
Duration
11h 13m

Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Charlotte to Wilmington. Traveling by train from Charlotte to Wilmington usually takes 11 hours and 14 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in 10 hours and 11 minutes.

Distance426 mi (686 km)
Fastest train10h 11m
Lowest price£78.15
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Carolinian
Train lines2

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Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Charlotte to Wilmington

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

4.0

4.0

Tamika

January 27, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Comfort. Cons: Food prices and variety. Tips: Very efficient.

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

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Charlotte, NC to Wilmington, DE was £100.99. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around £75.83 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to Wilmington by travel date

£134£89£45JulAug

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Charlotte to Wilmington will cost between £96 and £126. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to Wilmington by month

£205£164£123£82£41ASONDJFMAMJJ
Ticket prices for the train from Charlotte to Wilmington often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only £112. If you're thinking of traveling from Charlotte to Wilmington during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £202 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

£223£179£134£89£453020100

By booking your train trip from Charlotte to Wilmington on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time, you can save about £75.83 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Charlotte to Wilmington?

2 train services operate from Charlotte to Wilmington. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Carolinian111h 53m£109.84
Amtrak Crescent110h 36m£134.58
  • 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 Charlotte and Wilmington, 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 11 hours and 53 minutes.

  • 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 Charlotte to Wilmington take about 10 hours and 36 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from £106.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Charlotte to Wilmington

The distance between Charlotte and Wilmington is approximately 426 miles, or 686 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 14 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 11 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 Charlotte to Wilmington are the most crowded on Tuesday. 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.

The earliest train departs Charlotte at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00am. 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 Charlotte twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Wilmington with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Wilmington to Charlotte.

City Information

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.

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 over 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.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Charlotte?

1914 N Tryon St - CLTAMT-0

Image credit: Adam Moss

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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

Where is the train station in Wilmington?

Main arrival station: Amtrak/SEPTA Station

Wilmington has one train station.

All train stations in Wilmington:

  • Amtrak/SEPTA Station

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Wilmington by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Wilmington to Charlotte?

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