Trains from Alexandria to Charlottesville
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Trip Summary
There are 3 daily trains from Alexandria to Charlottesville. Traveling by train from Alexandria to Charlottesville usually takes around 3 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in one hour and 58 minutes.
| Distance | 94 mi (152 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 58m |
| Lowest price | $10.00 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Northeast Regional |
| Train lines | 4 |
Train service from Alexandria to Charlottesville
- Amtrak tickets: $28 one-way
- Amtrak Cardinal tickets: $10 one-way
- Amtrak Crescent tickets: $35 one-way
- Amtrak Northeast Regional tickets: $10 one-way
What is the price of a train ticket from Alexandria to Charlottesville?
In the last month, $24.16 was the average price of a train ticket from Alexandria to Charlottesville. This is about as inexpensive as train tickets ever get. You can expect to find tickets at that price or lower if you book your trip at least 28 days in advance. Otherwise, expect to pay around $30.70 more than that for a same-day booking.
Average prices by travel date
Over the next 30 days, the average cost of a one-way train trip from Alexandria to Charlottesville will vary between $14 and $48. Planning a train trip to Charlottesville within the upcoming week? The cheapest train ticket you can find from Alexandria over the next 7 days is $18. Make sure to book your trip as soon as possible as train fares tend to go up as you get closer to your travel date.
Monthly average prices
If you are trying to decide when to travel from Alexandria to Charlottesville by train so you can score the best possible deal, your best bet would be to plan your trip for January. That’s when the average price for a train ticket is expected to be just $28 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Alexandria to Charlottesville in November, expect to spend more on your train trip, as the average ticket price usually surges to $39 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you have a high chance of scoring a ticket at a lower price.
Prices as travel date approaches
If you want to score the best deal, you should plan to book your train trip online on Wanderu at least 28 days ahead of time. If you do that, your train ticket to Charlottesville from Alexandria will be about $30.70 cheaper compared to what you would pay if you book at the last minute.
Which train should you take from Alexandria to Charlottesville?
There are 4 train lines with service from Alexandria to Charlottesville. Amtrak Northeast Regional is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 11h 54m | $71.76 |
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 2h 24m | $58.08 |
| Amtrak Crescent | 1 | 1h 59m | $47.69 |
| Amtrak Northeast Regional | 2 | 4h 17m | $21.13 |
Amtrak
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 Alexandria to Charlottesville every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $28.
Amtrak Cardinal
The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Alexandria to Charlottesville per day, with an average trip length of 2 hours and 24 minutes.
Amtrak Crescent
The Crescent is Amtrak’s passenger train service that runs from New York to New Orleans by way of Atlanta. As an overnight service, the Crescent offers a variety of amenities and accommodation options. There’s also a café car where you can enjoy freshly prepared meals and a variety of soft and alcoholic beverages. Like all Amtrak trains, the Crescent offers free WiFi, power outlets and extra legroom. Train trips from Alexandria to Charlottesville take about 1 hours and 59 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $35.
Amtrak Northeast Regional
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 2 daily train trips from Alexandria to Charlottesville, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel by train from Alexandria to Charlottesville during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
Can you take a train all the way from Alexandria to Charlottesville?
How long is the train journey from Alexandria to Charlottesville?
When are trains the most crowded?
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Alexandria to Charlottesville on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
When are the first and last trains of the day?
The earliest train departs Alexandria at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 5:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Is there a direct train from Alexandria to Charlottesville?
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. 2 of these are direct connections to Charlottesville. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Charlottesville to Alexandria.
City Information
Charlottesville
Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is a historic town with plenty of interesting attractions to draw in not only fans of history but also of arts and culture. The prime attraction of the city is the famous estate of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. This 5000-acre mansion is an architectural masterpiece that combines Parisian and Italian elements, giving you a day’s worth of exploration. For those looking for a more idyllic landscape, try Carter Mountain Orchard, which offers apple-picking sessions as well. The University of Charlottesville is also a must-not-miss destination. As the only university in the U.S. to be designated a World Heritage Site, it offers interesting insights into the history of education of the country.
Charlottesville’s wines are famous around the country, and the Monticello Wine Trail is perfect for trying out the best wines that the region has to offer. For an amazing dinner experience, C & O Restaurant, which has been in business since 1976, will be a great choice.
The city’s busiest bus stop is the Greyhound bus stop located downtown at 310 W Main St. For trains, head over to the nearby Amtrak train station, also on W Main St. Charlottesville is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal, Crescent and Northeast Regional lines. The city’s main airport is the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, 8 miles from the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Alexandria?
Main departure station: 110 Callahan Dr
Because some trains make multiple stops before leaving the city, there are 9 stops and stations in Alexandria where you can board the train.
All train stations in Alexandria:
110 Callahan Dr
7519 Staples Mill Rd
Harbor Park Station
Hampton Road Transit bus stop
550 Railroad Ave - inside Marine Corps base
9304 Warwick Blvd
200 Lafayette Blvd
112 N Railroad Ave
Amtrak Station - 3516 South St
Where is the train station in Charlottesville?
Image credit: Funky Tee
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Bill McChesney
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Train Station - 810 W Main St
The Union Station in Charlottesville opened in 1885 and today remains the center of rail transportation in Charlottesville. Three Amtrak lines run through the Charlottesville station: the Cardinal route from Chicago to New York, the Crescent route from New Orleans to New York, and the Northeast Regional route from Roanoke to Boston. Inside the barn-red building, you can have a seat in the indoor waiting room, purchase a snack to go from vending machines, or learn more about Charlottesville from the tourism pamphlets available. The station is just steps away from the University of Virginia campus, and from the station, you can stroll to one of many excellent restaurants along Main Street.
All train stations in Charlottesville:
Train Station - 810 W Main St
Need a return trip from Charlottesville to Alexandria?
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Continue by train from Charlottesville
- Train from Charlottesville to New Haven
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- Train from Charlottesville to Washington D.C.
$19+
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- Charlottesville to Chicago Train
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- Charlottesville to Philadelphia
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- Train from Charlottesville to Blacksburg
$15+
- Charlottesville to Burke
$17+
- Charlottesville to Lynchburg
$8+
- Charlottesville to Manassas Train
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- Charlottesville to Richmond Train
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- Charlottesville to Roanoke Train
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- Train from Charlottesville to Charleston
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