Cheap train tickets from Richmond to Durham

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Richmond to Durham. Traveling by train from Richmond to Durham usually takes 4 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Carolinian train can make the trip in 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance: 134 mi (216 km)
Fastest train: 4h 25m
Lowest price: RON 191.69
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak Carolinian
Train lines: 2

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Richmond to Durham Train Schedule

Is it better to travel by bus or train from Richmond to Durham?

There are usually 9 daily bus trips available from Richmond to Durham.

	Train	Bus
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceRON 275.79Cheaper	Avg. PriceRON 342.55
Daily Trips	Daily Trips1	Daily Trips9
Duration	Duration4h 37m	Duration3h 31mFaster

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Richmond to Durham (Based on 1 rating and review)

5.0

Susan

July 9, 2024 - Business

Amtrak Carolinian

Pros:

There are several train options that can take you from Richmond to Durham:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Richmond to Durham?

In the last month, train tickets from Richmond to Durham cost about RON 192 when booked at the cheapest time. 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 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 282.74 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Richmond to Durham by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Richmond to Durham will cost between RON 182 and RON 585. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Richmond to Durham by month

Ticket prices for the train from Richmond to Durham 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 RON 201. If you're thinking of traveling from Richmond to Durham during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 393 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Richmond to Durham on Wanderu at least 24 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 282.74 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Richmond to Durham?

2 train services operate from Richmond to Durham. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	1	5h 1m	RON 358.35
Amtrak Carolinian	1	4h 31m	RON 254.53

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 is 1 Amtrak train from Richmond to Durham every day, as well as 1 trip on the weekends, with prices starting from RON 249.19.
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 trip per day between Richmond and Durham, 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 RON 254.53, and the trip usually lasts around 4 hours and 31 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Richmond to Durham

Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Durham with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains. You can also take a train for your return trip from Durham to Richmond. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Richmond to Durham for RON 129.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Richmond and Durham is approximately 134 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 37 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 25 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)

134

Distance (km)

216

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Richmond at 1:36 PM and arrives in Durham around 4 hours later.

First train

1:36pm

Last train

3:24pm

Trains from Richmond to Durham 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.

Busiest

Sunday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Richmond

As one of the most historically significant cities in the U.S., Richmond is a top-tier destination for not just fans of history but also culturally-inclined travelers. The premier tourist attraction of the city is the Virginia State Capitol, which features a unique architecture partially designed by Thomas Jefferson himself. For those who want to enjoy a cultural experience, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is worth checking out, as it houses five exquisitely beautiful Fabergé eggs, along with works by Degas, Cézanne, and Renoir. If you wish to retreat from the concrete jungle, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a great alternative.

Richmond’s diverse community has had a huge influence on its food scene. Croaker's Spot is a famous restaurant that serves some of the best seafood around. Richmond is also the home to a burgeoning craft beer scene, and there are as many as 30 brands in the city. Some of the local favorites include Hardywood, The Veil Brewing Co., and The Answer Brewpub.

Richmond is a major hub for bus travel, and visitors can catch buses that go to cities like Washington, D.C., New York and Raleigh on a daily basis. The city boasts two Amtrak train stations that provide regular service to Washington, D.C., New York City and beyond. The principal one is the Main Street Station, which is located right in the heart of downtown Richmond. The main airport is the Richmond International Airport, 7 miles southeast of the city.

Durham

Durham is a little treasure cove for all fans of history and the United States’ heritage. The first and foremost thing you should try out is go on a hike on one of the city’s iconic trails. For a more traditional hiking experience, try the Eno River Trail. If you wish to enjoy a more unique experience, the American Tobacco Trail will be a better choice, as it follows the old CSX railroad. For those who want to explore the city’s rich history, check out the Stagville Plantation, which is now a museum dedicated to the city’s antebellum history, offering a unique historical perspective.

Durham’s food scene is vibrant and exciting. Fans of seafood will definitely be amazed at how fresh and delicious the seafood at Mateo Bar de Tapas is. If you wish to try out Italian eats with a twist, check out Devil’s Pizzeria & Restaurant.

The main bus station is the Transportation Center located at 515 W Pettigrew St in Downtown Durham. From there, you can take a bus to New York, Richmond, Washington D.C., and dozens of other destinations across the country. The main Amtrak train station in Durham is located around the corner from the bus stop at 601 W Main St. Durham is served by Amtrak’s Carolinian and Piedmont lines. The city’s air services are handled by the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 12 miles southeast of the city.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Richmond?

Main departure station: 7519 Staples Mill Rd

Located around 5 miles north of Richmond’s city center, the Amtrak Station on Staples Mill Road is Amtrak’s busiest transport hub in the Southeast Region. The station was built in 1975 to replace the downtown Main Street Station. It now serves as an important stop for routes traveling up and down the American East. Passengers can venture north onboard the Northeast Regional service—Amtrak’s busiest route—to Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston. Richmond’s Amtrak Station also offers several southward connections to vacation destinations along the East Coast in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. In addition, the GRTC bus service is available from the station for transport into downtown Richmond.

All train stations in Richmond:

7519 Staples Mill Rd

Where is the train station in Durham?

Main arrival station: 601 W Main St

In Durham, Amtrak’s train station is at 601 W Main St, in a historic brick warehouse originally constructed in 1897. The Carolinian line from Charlotte to New York and the Piedmont line from Charlotte to Raleigh both stop at this station in Durham. Inside the station, passengers are greeted by high ceilings (this was once a warehouse, after all!) and can find restrooms, long benches for seating, and Amtrak staff. The same building also hosts an Italian restaurant and pool hall around the corner, and several more restaurants are within a one-block walk. You can even check out the Museum of Durham History on Main St, too. The Durham Amtrak station is located in the city center, close to Duke University and Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

All train stations in Durham:

601 W Main St

Need a return trip from Durham to Richmond?

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