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You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Alexandria and Cary. The average train journey from Alexandria to Cary takes 6 hours and 6 minutes, but some Amtrak Silver Service train trips are as short as 5 hours and 57 minutes.
| Distance | 229 mi (368 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 57m |
| Lowest price | $34.00 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Carolinian |
| Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from Alexandria to Cary
(Based on 4 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: Amtrak is the best, cheap and clean. Cons: Maybe better announcing of when the train is coming and giving an estimate of how long it takes to get to the next stop. Wi-Fi wasn’t working.
5.0
Really enjoyed the bus and train ride. Got to sight see, along the way. It was a pleasurable experience.
The average price for a train ticket from Alexandria to Cary is $54.72, By booking your trip at least 29 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 $62.60 more.
The average cost of a one-way train trip from Alexandria to Cary is expected to fluctuate between $48 and $75 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Cary in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Alexandria is $50.
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Alexandria to Cary, book online with Wanderu at least 29 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $62.60 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
2 train services operate from Alexandria to Cary. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Carolinian | 1 | 6h 15m | $61.26 |
| Amtrak Silver Service | 1 | 5h 57m | $70.35 |
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 Alexandria 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 6 hours and 15 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 Alexandria to Cary start from $60 and the average train journey lasts about 5 hours and 57 minutes.
The distance between Alexandria and Cary is approximately 229 miles, or 368 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 6 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 57 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 from Alexandria to Cary are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Alexandria at 11:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 Alexandria twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Cary with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Cary to Alexandria.
Alexandria is a charming, historic city in Virginia, located just a few miles south of Washington, D.C., on the Potomac River. Alexandria's Old Town entrances visitors with its preserved brick sidewalks and 18th-century homes and buildings; you'll feel transported to the era of the city's founding in 1749. This quarter, especially along King Street, features boutiques, restaurants, and antique shops in quaint, intimate settings.
Thanks to its vicinity to the capital, Alexandria boasts a unique food scene with many high-class restaurants for you to enjoy. The most popular local establishments include The Warehouse, Chart House, and Chadwicks. You can even dine in Gadsby's Tavern, a favorite of some of the nation's founders in the 1780s, and learn more about early American life in the adjacent Gadsby's Tavern Museum.
Washington, D.C. and all its travel connections are only a water taxi away, but the city is also well-served by transportation options directly out of Alexandria. Intercity Amtrak routes regularly arrive at Alexandria Union Station, including the Northeast Regional, Silver Service, Crescent, Cardinal, and Carolinian. The two nearest airports to the city are the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the Washington Dulles International Airport.
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.
There is one train station in Alexandria.
110 Callahan Dr
Cary has one train station.
211 N Academy St
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