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Durham to Charlotte train

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Durham - Charlotte Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

5 trains operate daily from Durham to Charlotte. The train trip from Durham to Charlotte is usually about 2 hours and 38 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 26 minutes.

Distance121 mi (195 km)
Fastest train2h 26m
Lowest price$26.00
Trains per day5
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Piedmont
Train lines4

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Durham to Charlotte

(Based on 12 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

George

December 30, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros: Easy to book and board. Cons: I heard something about a cafe car. Is that a real thing? If so, it should be more heavily advertised. If not, it should be. Also, there are only outlets available for the window seat passenger; ideally there would be an outlet in the back of the aisle seat so that the aisle seat passenger can access it. Tips: Not really.

5.0

Reggie

February 24, 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak

Pros: The interaction with other passengers 🤗💯. Cons: Nothing.... Tips: A cleaner faster less crowded & safer form of travel. I'd recommend you travel by train before you drive fly walk boat or hang glide to your next destination.

5.0

Keeta

April 2, 2022- Visiting friends

Amtrak Piedmont

Comfortable and Peaceful fort time experience on a train.

5.0

Myrtle Mohini

January 9, 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: cleanliness,friendly and helpfull staff. Cons: At this point I don't have anything to say. Tips: No.

5.0

Holly

November 15, 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: Spacious seats. Cons: This was my first train ride need a little map that says where the bathrooms are I did see people walking through w water but didn’t know if there is a dining car what was available is it vending machines. Tips: Bring a blanket for long trips.

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

The average price for a train ticket from Durham to Charlotte is $26.00, This is one of the best deals we’ve seen for train fares recently. By booking your trip at least 1 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 $0.51 more.

Average prices by travel date

$30$20$10AprApr

The cost of a one-way train trip from Durham to Charlotte is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about $26 for your ticket.

Monthly avg. prices

$50$40$30$20$10MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Durham to Charlotte stay pretty consistent throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $25 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 Durham to Charlotte?

There are 4 train lines with service from Durham to Charlotte. Amtrak Piedmont is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak12h 34m$26.00
Amtrak Carolinian12h 52m$26.06
Amtrak Northeast Regional12h 27m$26.00
Amtrak Piedmont22h 38m$26.02
  • 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 Durham to Charlotte every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $26.

  • 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 Durham 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 2 hours and 52 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 Durham 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

The distance between Durham and Charlotte is approximately 121 miles, or 195 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 38 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 26 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.

Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Durham to Charlotte. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

The earliest train departs Durham at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00pm. 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 5 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Durham to Charlotte.

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

City Information

Durham

Durham is a little treasure cove for all fans of history and the United States’ heritage. The first and foremost thing you should try out is go on a hike on one of the city’s iconic trails. For a more traditional hiking experience, try the Eno River Trail. If you wish to enjoy a more unique experience, the American Tobacco Trail will be a better choice, as it follows the old CSX railroad. For those who want to explore the city’s rich history, check out the Stagville Plantation, which is now a museum dedicated to the city’s antebellum history, offering a unique historical perspective.

Durham’s food scene is vibrant and exciting. Fans of seafood will definitely be amazed at how fresh and delicious the seafood at Mateo Bar de Tapas is. If you wish to try out Italian eats with a twist, check out Devil’s Pizzeria & Restaurant.

The main bus station is the Transportation Center located at 515 W Pettigrew St in Downtown Durham. From there, you can take a bus to New York, Richmond, Washington D.C., and dozens of other destinations across the country. The main Amtrak train station in Durham is located around the corner from the bus stop at 601 W Main St. Durham is served by Amtrak’s Carolinian and Piedmont lines. The city’s air services are handled by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 12 miles southeast of the city.

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 Durham?

601 W Main St  - DNCAMT-0

Image credit: John Buie

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 601 W Main St

In Durham, Amtrak’s train station is at 601 W Main St, in a historic brick warehouse originally constructed in 1897. The Carolinian line from Charlotte to New York and the Piedmont line from Charlotte to Raleigh both stop at this station in Durham. Inside the station, passengers are greeted by high ceilings (this was once a warehouse, after all!) and can find restrooms, long benches for seating, and Amtrak staff. The same building also hosts an Italian restaurant and pool hall around the corner, and several more restaurants are within a one-block walk. You can even check out the Museum of Durham History on Main St, too. The Durham Amtrak station is located in the city center, close to Duke University and Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

All train stations in Durham:

  • 601 W Main 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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