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There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Charlotte to Alexandria. Traveling by train from Charlotte to Alexandria usually takes 8 hours and 31 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Crescent train can make the trip in 7 hours and 48 minutes.
| Distance | 324 mi (521 km) |
| Fastest train | 7h 48m |
| Lowest price | $47.00 |
| Trains per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Carolinian |
| Train lines | 2 |
Average score for trains from Charlotte to Alexandria
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: The speed of which I made it home. Cons: Creating a bus station. Catching the bus on a dark street corner and being dropped off at a gas station in the "hood" was a bit unnerving.
5.0
Pros: Relaxing, friendly staff, comfortable seating. Cons: The windows needed serious cleaning. They dirty on the outside. I would have enjoyed the country side better and taken some pictures.
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Charlotte to Alexandria was $72.73. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 29 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $65.48 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Charlotte to Alexandria will cost between $65 and $100. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Charlotte to Alexandria. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 29 days before departure, you can save around $65.48. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
2 train services operate from Charlotte to Alexandria. However, each train line only offers one daily trip.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Carolinian | 1 | 9h 15m | $74.03 |
| Amtrak Crescent | 1 | 7h 48m | $106.83 |
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 Charlotte and Alexandria, 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 9 hours and 15 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 Charlotte to Alexandria take about 7 hours and 48 minutes and the cost of a one-way train ticket on the Crescent starts from $83.
The distance between Charlotte and Alexandria is approximately 324 miles, or 521 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 31 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 7 hours and 48 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.
Thursday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Charlotte to Alexandria. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Thursday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Charlotte at 5:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 6:00am. 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 Charlotte twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to Alexandria 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 Alexandria to Charlotte.
A mecca for fans of speed in general and for NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is a burgeoning urban center that still retains its southern charm. Even if you are not a hardcore fan of NASCAR, it is still worth taking the time to check it out. Housing more than just plaques dedicated to legendary drivers, the museum also features high-tech exhibits, as well as racing simulators to keep you enthralled. If cars are not your thing, the bustling Uptown area, which houses the city’s top museums such as Discovery Place or Mint Museum Uptown, will offer a day’s worth of interesting facts to enjoy. When you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of Uptown, Freedom Park, located about three miles north of the city center, provides a natural refuge where you can recover.
Charlotte’s food scene is brimming with life, as modernized Southern staples take the city by storm. Perhaps the best place to enjoy the tastiest Southern dishes in town is at Price’s Chicken Coop. If you are looking to enjoy some fine barbecues, Midwood Smokehouse or Noble Smoke might have what you need.
Charlotte’s busiest bus station is at W 4th St in the heart of the city, offering bus trips by several carriers like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines to other cities such as Richmond or New York. The city is served by three Amtrak lines: the Crescent, the Carolinian, and the Piedmont. Travelers can catch these trains at the station on Tryon St in Lockwood. The main airport of the city is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is the sixth-busiest airport in the country. It is located 6 miles from the city center.
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: Adam Moss
Link to image attributionThe busiest train station in North Carolina is located at 1914 N Tryon St, slightly northeast of downtown Charlotte. This station is the origin point for the Amtrak Carolinian to New York City and the Amtrak Piedmont to Raleigh. The Amtrak Crescent also stops in Charlotte on its route from New York City to New Orleans. The station has free parking and vending machines onsite, and is close to several stations for the local LYNX light rail.
1914 N Tryon St
Alexandria has one train station.
110 Callahan Dr
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