Cheap train tickets from Columbia to Cary
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Trip Summary
There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Columbia to Cary. Traveling by train from Columbia to Cary usually takes 6 hours and 4 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Floridian train can make the trip in 4 hours and 2 minutes.
| Distance | 178 mi (286 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 2m |
| Lowest price | $29.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Floridian |
| Train lines | 2 |
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Columbia to Cary Train Schedule
Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Columbia to Cary (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
March 28, 2020 - Visiting family
Amtrak Silver ServiceThere are several train options that can take you from Columbia to Cary:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Columbia to Cary?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Columbia to Cary was $33.00. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 26 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $28.63 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Columbia to Cary by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Columbia to Cary will cost between $31 and $45. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Columbia to Cary by month
Ticket prices for the train from Columbia to Cary often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $35. If you're thinking of traveling from Columbia to Cary during March, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $49 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in March, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Columbia to Cary on Wanderu at least 26 days ahead of time, you can save about $28.63 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Columbia to Cary?
There are multiple trains that travel from Columbia to Cary, including Amtrak Floridian, Amtrak. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Floridian | 1 | 4h 2m | $37.33 |
| Amtrak | 1 | 8h 33m | $46.64 |
Amtrak Floridian train tickets from Columbia to Cary start from $29, and on average cost $37.33. Daily there are 1 Amtrak Floridian schedules to Cary. Amtrak Floridian in Columbia leaves from 850 Pulaski St. And in Cary trains arrive at 211 N Academy St.
From Columbia to Cary train travel on Amtrak Floridian takes 4 hours and 2 minutes.
If you are looking to travel to Cary on a weekend there is typically one Amtrak Floridian scheduled trip per day, which will cost $29 for a one-way weekend reservation from Columbia.
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 Columbia to Cary every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $37.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Columbia to Cary
Trains leave the station in Columbia 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 Cary 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 Cary to Columbia.
TRIPS PER DAY
2
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Columbia and Cary is approximately 178 miles, or 286 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 4 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 2 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
178
DISTANCE (KM)
286
The earliest train departs Columbia at 4:22am while the last train of the day leaves at 4:22am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
4:22am
LATEST TRAIN
4:22am
Trains from Columbia to Cary are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
City Information
Columbia
As the capital city of South Carolina, Columbia offers plenty of historic attractions and exciting activities that will keep tourists of all ages satisfied. Sitting at the heart of the city is the South Carolina State Museum, which boasts the most impressive collection of permanent and changing exhibits in the state, as well as in the Southeast. One of the top highlights of the museum is its amazing planetarium that has a height of 55 feet. If you are traveling with kids, EdVenture should certainly be on your list. The museum’s prime attraction is a giant 10-year-old with his own fake digestive tracts and vertebrae, allowing kids to explore anatomy with ease. Nature lovers should not miss out on the chance to enjoy an outdoor day at Lake Murray, which features a vast range of activities such as boating, fishing, paddling, etc.
Columbia features an exciting food scene that is brimming with new talents. For an amazing lunch, The Gourmet Shop and their famous chicken salad will be a great choice. If you wish to enjoy a dinner with wine, Lula Drake is the place to be.
Columbia’s principal bus station is located 710-A Buckner Rd on the outskirts of the city. The main Amtrak train station is located on Pulaski St in the heart of downtown near the University of South Carolina campus. Columbia is served by Amtrak’s Silver Service line. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport and it is located five miles southwest of the city.
Cary
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 does the train leave from in Columbia?
Main departure station: 850 Pulaski St
The Columbia Amtrak Station at 850 Pulaski St is the only train station in Columbia, SC. The station is served by the Amtrak Silver Star train, which travels from New York City to Miami. Built in 1991, the Columbia Station is a steel structure located three miles from the city's downtown area and not far from the University of South Carolina campus. It offers an indoor waiting area, an information kiosk, and restrooms. The station was moved to the current Pulaski Street site from Gervais Street, where the former red-brick Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station stood.
All train stations in Columbia:
- 850 Pulaski St
Where does the train arrive in Cary?
Main arrival station: 211 N Academy St
Cary has one train station.
All train stations in Cary:
- 211 N Academy St
Need a return trip from Cary to Columbia?
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