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.
Trip Summary
You can pick from 3 daily train trips between Fayetteville and Carbondale. The average train journey from Fayetteville to Carbondale takes 48 hours and 9 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 45 hours and 38 minutes.
Distance | 604 mi (971 km) |
Fastest train | 45h 38m |
Lowest price | $457.00 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Fayetteville to Carbondale?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Fayetteville to Carbondale. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 3 | 2d 0h 9m | $487.00 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Fayetteville to Carbondale every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $457.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Fayetteville and Carbondale is approximately 604 miles, or 971 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 48 hours and 9 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 45 hours and 38 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 departing from Fayetteville to Carbondale tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. 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 Saturday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Fayetteville at 12:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 12:00am. 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 3 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Carbondale to Fayetteville.
City Information
Fayetteville
Image credit: jalexartis Photography
Link to image attributionImage credit: City of Fayetteville
Link to image attributionImage credit: jalexartis Photography
Link to image attributionFayetteville is a charming North Carolina city with much to discover. Military history is prominent in Fayetteville, since it’s the home of Fort Bragg, the largest military base in the world. It’s also where Babe Ruth gained the moniker "Babe" when he made his first home run as a professional athlete.
A trip to Fayetteville is sure to be a home run for you, too. The Airborne and Special Operations Museum is a popular attraction, filled with extensive exhibits about United States military history. The North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center and the nearby Arsenal Park provide a deeper dive into the Civil War era.
Stop and smell the flowers at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, a gorgeous showcase of more than 2,000 plants, or hike along the Cape Fear River Trail.
Limited flights are available through Fayetteville Regional Airport, but you can travel to more cities from Raleigh Durham International Airport, about 60 miles away. Taking the train is convenient because of its direct service to Fayetteville on Amtrak's Silver Service or the Amtrak Palmetto. Plus, several national and regional bus carriers run routes to and from Fayetteville, including Greyhound, FlixBus US, Southeastern Stages, and Wanda Coach.
Carbondale
Carbondale, one the best vacation destinations in Illinois, is best known for its proximity to Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the Gods: one of the most Instagrammed sites in the state. This quiet paradise is filled with lush trees bordering miles of hiking trails and scenic drives. The enormous sandstone bluffs in Giant City State Park attract rock climbers and rappellers looking for their next adventure. Boo Rochman Memorial Park offers a unique, family-friendly experience– a park filled with wooden sculptures of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and more. The park’s centerpiece, a massive wood and stone castle, features an elaborate jungle gym with stairs, tunnels, and an ogre or two.
Threaded by Main Street, downtown Carbondale is known for its Historic Town Square and charming, old-school architecture. The whole area is easily walkable, so you can peruse local shops for bike gear, art, vintage clothes, musical instruments, and everything in between. The SIU University Museum is a must-see, with no entry fee and a variety of exhibitions about the history and culture of the region. While in the area, explore Campus Lake and Pulliam Hall clocktower, or catch a football game at Saluki Stadium.
Bus services connect Seattle, Chicago, and Phoenix to Carbondale. Amtrak has multiple lines from the city to Memphis, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The nearest airport is Marion Williamson County Regional.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Fayetteville?
Image credit: jalexartis Photography
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 472 Hay St
Fayetteville's main railway station is in the Fayetteville Downtown Historic District, and the building itself is on the list of North Carolina's Registered Historic Places. The station serves two Amtrak lines, namely Palmetto, which travels between New York and Savannah, and Silver Service, which travels from New York to Miami. Within the station, you can find a ticket office, waiting area, information desk, and a Subway restaurant, and there is also parking directly behind the station. Outside the station, there are no amenities in the immediate vicinity, but multiple restaurants and local hotels are a short distance away.
All train stations in Fayetteville:
472 Hay St
Where is the train station in Carbondale?
Main arrival station: 401 S Illinois Ave
Carbondale has one train station.
All train stations in Carbondale:
401 S Illinois Ave
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Carbondale to Fayetteville?
Search Train TicketsWanderu 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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more
- Train Tickets
- United States
- Illinois
- Carbondale
- Fayetteville to Carbondale