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Trip Summary
You can pick from 2 daily train trips between Lancaster and Raleigh. The average train journey from Lancaster to Raleigh takes 10 hours and 52 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 10 hours and 21 minutes.
| Distance | 320 mi (516 km) |
| Fastest train | 10h 21m |
| Lowest price | $153.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Lancaster to Raleigh?
The average price for a train ticket from Lancaster to Raleigh is $177.67, Tickets are generally pricier for this train route, which is to be expected given the long distance. By booking your trip at least 6 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay $46.83 more.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Lancaster to Raleigh?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Lancaster to Raleigh. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 10h 52m | $191.88 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from Lancaster to Raleigh every day, as well as 1 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $93.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Lancaster and Raleigh is approximately 320 miles, or 516 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 52 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 10 hours and 21 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Lancaster to Raleigh on Friday. Tickets for Friday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Lancaster at 6:00am 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 Lancaster 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 Raleigh to Lancaster.
City Information
Lancaster
Lancaster is a city in the Piedmont Region, between Baltimore and Philadelphia, primarily known for being a hub of Pennsylvania's Amish Country. One of Lancaster's most popular attractions is the Central Market, housed in an impressive structure built in 1889. Here, you can shop from over 60 vendors and sample their fresh fruits, cheeses, or baked treats and purchase handmade Amish goods unique to the area.
Lancaster also features a growing art scene, and Gallery Row downtown hosts some of the town's best boutiques, art galleries, and vintage shops. The Demuth Museum and Lancaster Museum of Art offer additional venues for culture vultures to check out. If you're visiting with kids, don't miss Dutch Wonderland just outside of town; this royal theme park includes 32 rides and activities catering to young children.
Lancaster features a vibrant food scene with plenty of selections and cuisines for even the most discerning foodies. Some local favorites include C'est La Vie, The Brasserie Restaurant & Bar, and Shot & Bottle.
Amtrak Pennsylvanian and Keystone Service trains stop in Lancaster and connect the town with Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and New York. OurBus offers intercity bus routes to Lancaster, as well. The nearest airport for passenger flights is in Philadelphia, about 60 miles away or just an hour on the train.
Raleigh
As an up-and-coming smart city, Raleigh has a wide range of activities that will satisfy all kinds of travelers. One of the most famous destinations in the city is the Neuse River Trail, which boasts 28 miles of a scenic path running through Wake Forest. It goes through not only forests but also wetlands, allowing walkers and cyclists to take a breather from the concrete jungle and be one with nature. Raleigh is also a famous research city, so it makes sense to visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. With a permanent collection that attracts all ages, including whale skeletons and seahorse diorama, the museum is a great spot that you should not miss out on. If you wish to go shopping the old-fashioned way, the Raleigh City Market, which opened more than a century ago, allows you to meander through various small boutiques.
Raleigh’s reputation as a foodie haven is on a steady rise, and it currently houses five different establishments by chef Ashley Christensen, of which Poole’s Diner is particularly noteworthy. If you are looking for authentic North Carolina-style barbecues, Clyde Cooper’s stands among the most popular choices.
Raleigh’s main bus station is located outside of the city center at 2210 Capital Blvd. The city’s Amtrak station is one of the busiest in the country, and there are daily trains running from Raleigh to New York City, Charlotte and Miami, among other places. The principal airport in the region is the Raleigh–Durham International Airport, which is northwest of Downtown.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Lancaster?
Main departure station: 53 E Mcgovern Ave
There is one train station in Lancaster.
All train stations in Lancaster:
53 E Mcgovern Ave
Where is the train station in Raleigh?
Image credit: NCDOTcommunications
Link to image attribution
Image credit: NCDOTcommunications
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Union Station
The new multi-million dollar facility of Raleigh’s Union Station has quickly become one of the busiest train stations in North Carolina. Since opening in 2018, the station has expanded to serve over 150,000 passengers every year. Raleigh Union Station is an Amtrak station with routes connecting to major cities along the East Coast, including trips to New York City on the Carolinian or as far as Miami on Amtrak’s Silver Service. In addition, Amtrak’s Piedmont service from Charlotte ends its route in Raleigh. The station is a multi-level facility with tracks on the lower platform and retail shops on the main levels. It’s located in the heart of downtown, within a short walk of Nash Square, the CAM Raleigh art museum, and various restaurant options.
All train stations in Raleigh:
Union Station
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More trains from Lancaster
- Train from Lancaster to Cleveland
$99+
- Train from Lancaster to Harrisburg
$11+
- Lancaster to Philadelphia
$15+
- Train from Lancaster to Pottstown
$31+
- Train from Lancaster to Scranton
$86+
- Train from Lancaster to Tyrone
$35+
- Train from Lancaster to Providence
$156+
- Lancaster to Lynchburg Train
$155+
- Train from Lancaster to Quantico
$122+
Continue by train from Raleigh
- Raleigh to Southern Pines Train
$39+
- Raleigh to New York Train
$112+
- Raleigh to Cincinnati Train
$167+
- Train from Raleigh to Oklahoma City
$302+
- Train from Raleigh to Providence
$212+
- Raleigh to Columbia Train
$66+
- Train from Raleigh to Greenville
$68+
- Raleigh to Lynchburg Train
$126+
- Train from Raleigh to Seattle
$496+
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