Cheap train tickets from Raleigh to Wilmington
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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Raleigh to Wilmington?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Raleigh to Wilmington.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$94.05 | Avg. Price$122.58 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration11h 28m | Duration9h 27m |
Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Raleigh and Wilmington. The average train journey from Raleigh to Wilmington takes 9 hours and 26 minutes, but some Amtrak Silver Service train trips are as short as 8 hours and 7 minutes.
| Distance | 322 mi (518 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 7m |
| Lowest price | $79.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Carolinian |
| Train lines | 3 |
Train service from Raleigh to Wilmington
- Amtrak tickets: $89 one-way
- Amtrak Carolinian tickets: $79 one-way
- Amtrak Silver Service tickets: $101 one-way
Price trends for trains from Raleigh to Wilmington
Average train ticket prices from Raleigh to Wilmington by month
Which train should you take from Raleigh to Wilmington?
There are 3 train lines with service from Raleigh to Wilmington. There is only one daily train on each service.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 10h 31m | $163.26 |
| Amtrak Carolinian | 1 | 8h 23m | $160.50 |
| Amtrak Silver Service | 1 | 8h 7m | $121.50 |
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 Raleigh to Wilmington every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $89.
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 Raleigh 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 8 hours and 23 minutes.
The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Raleigh to Wilmington start from $101 and the average train journey lasts about 8 hours and 7 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Raleigh to Wilmington
The distance between Raleigh and Wilmington is approximately 322 miles, or 518 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 7 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Raleigh to Wilmington on Thursday. Tickets for Thursday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Wednesday. Wednesday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Raleigh at 9:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 10:00am. 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 Raleigh 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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington to Raleigh.
City Information
Raleigh
As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.
Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.
Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city center at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.
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 Raleigh?
Image credit: NCDOTcommunications
Link to image attribution
Image credit: NCDOTcommunications
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Union Station
The new multi-million dollar facility of Raleigh’s Union Station has quickly become one of the busiest train stations in North Carolina. Since opening in 2018, the station has expanded to serve over 150,000 passengers every year. Raleigh Union Station is an Amtrak station with routes connecting to major cities along the East Coast, including trips to New York City on the Carolinian or as far as Miami on Amtrak’s Silver Service. In addition, Amtrak’s Piedmont service from Charlotte ends its route in Raleigh. The station is a multi-level facility with tracks on the lower platform and retail shops on the main levels. It’s located in the heart of downtown, within a short walk of Nash Square, the CAM Raleigh art museum, and various restaurant options.
All train stations in Raleigh:
Union Station
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
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