5.0
Very kind and patient Amtrak personnel, guided me to correct location, informed me when the next stop was my intended, and even bumped me up to an earlier train for free! Thank you!
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Charlottesville and Norfolk. The average train journey from Charlottesville to Norfolk takes 8 hours and 53 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 5 hours and 40 minutes.
Distance | 145 mi (234 km) |
Fastest train | 5h 40m |
Lowest price | $43.00 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from Charlottesville to Norfolk
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Very kind and patient Amtrak personnel, guided me to correct location, informed me when the next stop was my intended, and even bumped me up to an earlier train for free! Thank you!
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Charlottesville to Norfolk was $78.00. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Norfolk if you book your train tickets at least 29 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $29.96.
For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Charlottesville to Norfolk will range from $71 to $157. If you're planning to travel by train to Norfolk in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Charlottesville you can find in the next 7 days is $71. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.
By booking your train trip from Charlottesville to Norfolk on Wanderu at least 29 days ahead of time, you can save about $29.96 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
2 train services operate from Charlottesville to Norfolk. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 1 | 8h 13m | $94.73 |
Amtrak Northeast Regional | 1 | 10h 14m | $88.37 |
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 Charlottesville to Norfolk every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $60.
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 1 daily train trips from Charlottesville to Norfolk, the Northeast Regional is the busiest and most popular among all Amtrak routes.
The distance between Charlottesville and Norfolk is approximately 145 miles, or 234 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 53 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 40 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 Charlottesville to Norfolk are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 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 Charlottesville twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Norfolk to 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.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
A trip to Norfolk, VA will take your breath away. Sail away from its shores and just let the wind take you to a place of calm and quiet where you can shed your worries.
There are so many things to do in and around the coastal city of Norfolk. Start off with its main historic landmark, the 400-year-old port that houses the most extensive naval base in the world. Other history-rich areas worth visiting include St. Paul's Episcopal Church and MacArthur Memorial.
If you crave some water adventures, remember that you can always sail, fish, swim, kayak, and cruise in Norfolk. You can also sign up for the Naval Base Tour or visit the Nauticus Museum and Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Finally, don't forget to spend a day or two at the beach to rejuvenate your soul.
Arts and entertainment, nightlife, and shopping are thriving in Norfolk, too. If you wish to enjoy some live performances, visit the Harrison Opera house. Nightlife is always at its best downtown, particularly at Baxter's or Scotty Quixx. If you plan to do some shopping, the Selden Market offers the most eclectic selections of all.
Walking is the best mode of transportation in Norfolk, but there's also the Tide, which is the city's light rail system that can take you to your destination faster. It runs a 7.5-mile-long route that covers pretty much the entire downtown area with its 11 stops. Both Amtrak train service and bus service from carriers like Greyhound and OurBus make Norfolk easy to travel to for your next trip.
Image credit: Funky Tee
Link to image attributionImage credit: Bill McChesney
Link to image attributionThe 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.
Train Station - 810 W Main St
Image credit: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionTrains to Norfolk stop at the Harbor Park Station, adjacent to the city's Minor League Baseball stadium, Harbor Park. Greyhound buses also stop at this location in Norfolk. The station is a modern, well-lit building with many windows and comfortable seating inside. There is plentiful parking on-site, but be aware that fees may apply when there are events at the stadium. Downtown Norfolk is only a mile away, and you can connect to the local Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) rail via its Harbor Park station in the same area.
Harbor Park Station
$168+
$44+
$105+
$139+
$212+
$70+
$85+
$158+
$110+
$217+
$224+
$40+
$25+
$25+
$30+
$71+
$18+
$63+
$210+
$156+
$478+
$117+
$79+
$18+
$24+
$37+
$546+
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.