Wanderu Logo
United States flag
  • Canada
$
Log in
background-img-buses-trains
chiku-desktop

Cheap train tickets from Charlottesville to Washington DC

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

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.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Charlottesville to Washington DC Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.
RentalCars logotypeRentalCars logotype
from$30.00

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Charlottesville to Washington?

There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Charlottesville to Washington.

Bus
Train
Avg. Price
Avg. Price
$36.73
Avg. Price
$48.09
Daily Trips
Daily Trips
2
Daily Trips
3
Duration
Duration
3h 0m
Duration
2h 39m

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Charlottesville to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Charlottesville to Washington DC usually takes 2 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Northeast Regional train can make the trip in 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Distance99 mi (159 km)
Fastest train2h 27m
Lowest price$14.00
Trains per day3
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Northeast Regional
Train lines3

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Charlottesville to Washington

(Based on 27 ratings and reviews)

4.7

5.0

Suhani

September 8, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: It was very comfortable! Cons: Prices for afternoon trains. Tips: Make sure you get to the station well before your train time.

5.0

Deborah

May 6, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: Good price, on time, clean car, free WiFi. Cons: NA. Tips: Enjoy the ride.

5.0

Karen

February 15, 2023- Vacation

Amtrak Northeast Regional

On time

5.0

Roberta

February 11, 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: It was smooth, on time, etc. Cons: Cant think of. Anything important.

5.0

Ayushi

January 3, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Northeast Regional

Pros: it was a quiet and comfortable ride. Cons: cleaner bathrooms.

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Charlottesville to Washington DC?

Over the past month, a train ticket between Charlottesville and Washington cost $41.85, on average. This price makes taking the train a budget-friendly option to get to Washington DC. Booking your trip at least 29 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $42.15 more.

Average train ticket prices from Charlottesville to Washington DC by travel date

$75$50$25DecDec

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Charlottesville to Washington DC is expected to fluctuate between $39 and $73 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Washington in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Charlottesville is $39.

Average train ticket prices from Charlottesville to Washington DC by month

$75$60$45$30$15JFMAMJJASOND
Ticket prices for the train from Charlottesville to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $35. If you're thinking of traveling from Charlottesville to Washington DC during November, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $59 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in November, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Charlottesville to Washington. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around $42.15. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!

Which train should you take from Charlottesville to Washington DC?

There are 3 train lines with service from Charlottesville to Washington. Amtrak Northeast Regional is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Cardinal13h 0m$57.66
Amtrak Crescent12h 48m$97.56
Amtrak Northeast Regional22h 31m$43.21

  • 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 Charlottesville to Washington per day, with an average trip length of 3 hours and 0 minutes.

  • 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 Charlottesville to Washington take about 2 hours and 48 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $47.

  • 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 Charlottesville to Washington, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Charlottesville to Washington DC

The distance between Charlottesville and Washington DC is approximately 99 miles, or 159 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 2 hours and 39 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 27 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains from Charlottesville to Washington DC are the most crowded on Thursday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Charlottesville at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 daily scheduled trains, all of which are direct trains that take you the entire way from Charlottesville to Washington DC.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Washington DC to Charlottesville.

City Information

Charlottesville

Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is one of Virginia's best destinations 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.

Washington DC

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Charlottesville?

Train Station - 810 W Main St - CVSAMT-0

Image credit: Funky Tee

Link to image attribution
Train Station - 810 W Main St - CVSAMT-1

Image credit: Bill McChesney

Link to image attribution

Main departure 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

Where is the train station in Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main arrival station: Union Station

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Washington by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Washington DC to Charlottesville?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Charlottesville

Continue by train from Washington DC

Check out these popular routes

Wanderu 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.