Wanderu Logo
United States flag
  • Canada
$
Log in
chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from Charlotte to Cary

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Charlotte to Cary Train Schedule

Trip Summary

6 trains operate daily from Charlotte to Cary. The train trip from Charlotte to Cary is usually about 3 hours and 23 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Piedmont train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 43 minutes.

Distance122 mi (197 km)
Fastest train2h 43m
Lowest price$30.00
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Piedmont
Train lines3

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Charlotte to Cary

(Based on 29 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Juan

September 9, 2025- Couples trip

Amtrak Piedmont

Pros: Friendly staff!! Cons: Wifi needs to be better!

5.0

Sally

February 20, 2024- Visiting friends

Amtrak Piedmont

Pros: Wonderful! Cons: Wonderful in every way,. Tips: Try it out!

5.0

Helbis

November 25, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Very comfortable and clean. Cons: N/A. Tips: I recommend the train!

5.0

Nancy

May 25, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Piedmont

Convenience and quietness Prompt departure

5.0

Julia

April 12, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Piedmont

Pros: Super easy and simple. Cons: Bus was an hour late. Tips: Snacks and sodas were available to purchase for about $1. Free water and decent coffee available.

See more details

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

The average price for a train ticket from Charlotte to Cary is $31.76, Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. By booking your trip at least 27 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $1.52 more.

Average train ticket prices from Charlotte to Cary by travel date

$45$30$15MarApr

The average daily price of train tickets from Charlotte to Cary is expected to stay consistent at around $32 in the upcoming month.

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10AMJJASONDJFM
You can find the lowest prices on this route during January. This time of year offers the best deals on train tickets from Charlotte to Cary, with the average price at just $28. Train tickets on this route are most expensive in March, when the average price goes up to $31. You can still score cheap deals below this average price, though, especially if you plan ahead and book your ticket in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$50$40$30$20$103020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Charlotte to Cary, book online with Wanderu at least 27 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $1.52 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Charlotte to Cary?

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

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak15h 46m$39.78
Amtrak Carolinian13h 0m$31.13
Amtrak Piedmont42h 54m$30.82

  • 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 Charlotte to Cary 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 Charlotte and Cary, 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 0 minutes.

  • 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 Charlotte to Cary

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Charlotte to Cary. 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 Charlotte and Cary is approximately 122 miles, or 197 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 43 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 departing from Charlotte to Cary tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Friday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Charlotte 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 Cary. 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 Cary 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.

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.

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 Cary?

Main arrival station: 211 N Academy St

Cary has one train station.

All train stations in Cary:

  • 211 N Academy St

Get around town with Moovit

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

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Cary to Charlotte?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Charlotte

Continue by train from Cary

Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.