- Must visit
National Air and Space Museum
Vast air and space museum displaying historic aircraft, spacecraft and interactive exhibits for all ages.
Cheapest price on 02 Sept
£97
Average ticket price on 02 Sept
£108
Fastest journey on 02 Sept
8 h 16 m
Average journey duration on 02 Sept
9 h 14 m
Trains on 02 Sept
2
Distance
529 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC will cost around £108 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £97.
On Wed 02 Sept, we found 2 trains from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC, including 2 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 529 km distance in an average of 9 h 14 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h 16 m .
The slowest trains will take 10 h 11 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
80 Carolinian
20 Crescent
20 Crescent
80 CarolinianOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £47 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 32m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.2 - 0.5kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £47, while a flight costs an average of £183.
Distance: 529 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£104 Average Price | £47 Average Price Cheapest | £183 Average Price |
9h 48m Average total duration 9h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 10m Average total duration 8h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 32m Average total duration Fastest 1h 32m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.5 - 1.3kg CO2 emissions | 1.6 - 3.2kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC trains for today, Tuesday 1 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
80 Carolinian | 6:45 Charlotte Station, Charlotte, NC | 10h11 | 16:56 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
| Wednesday 2 September | |||||
20 Crescent | 5:31 Charlotte Station, Charlotte, NC | 8h16 | 13:47 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 9h 18m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £59 but you can travel from only £33 by coach.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:04, the last at 18:49. The fastest train covers the 529 km distance in 7h 48m.
Distance 529 km |
Average train duration 9h 18m |
Cheapest ticket price £59 |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 7h 48m |
First train 4:04 |
Last train 18:49 |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Washington, DC — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Washington, DC trip today.
Vast air and space museum displaying historic aircraft, spacecraft and interactive exhibits for all ages.
Museum exploring the history, culture and contributions of African Americans through powerful exhibitions.
Leading art museum with European and American masterpieces, sculpture garden and free permanent collection.
Grand landscaped park linking memorials, museums and monuments, ideal for walking and classic city views.
Historic waterfront district with cobbled streets, canal paths, shops and scenic walks by the Potomac.
Vibrant neighbourhood known for murals, music venues, independent shops and one of the city’s liveliest streets.
Half-smoke sausage, usually smoked pork and beef, served on a bun with chilli and toppings. It is a long-standing Washington street food linked to the city’s carry-outs.
Mumbo sauce is a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy condiment popular with fried chicken and chips in Washington carry-outs. It is a distinctive local takeaway staple.
Jumbo slice is an oversized pizza slice sold late at night in Washington, especially around nightlife areas. It is a local post-night-out food ritual.
Polished American dining with a focus on seasonal produce and Chesapeake influences. Sophisticated setting suited to a celebratory meal.
Refined Mid-Atlantic seafood restaurant known for oyster dishes, crab, and seasonal ingredients. Elegant but approachable atmosphere in Penn Quarter.
Beloved bakery and café serving Ethiopian coffee, pastries, and light meals. Relaxed community feel in Adams Morgan.
Washington is pricier than many US cities for hotels and dining near central sights, though museums are often free and public transport is reasonably priced.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants if service is not included, $1-2 per drink at bars, 10-15% for taxis, and spare change or up to 10% in cafés.
Official public transport app
Washington Union Station -> Metro Center, Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC trains use the Charlotte Station to Union Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Charlotte Station is 2 km from Charlotte city centre. Public transport options include:
Charlotte Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Alexander Michael's, The King's Kitchen
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Charlotte Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Charlotte Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Charlotte Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Charlotte Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Charlotte Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include The Westin Charlotte, Hilton Charlotte Uptown, Omni Charlotte Hotel.
Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Shake Shack, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Chopt Creative Salad Co., Chipotle Mexican Grill, Thunder Grill, Johnny Rockets, Jamba Juice, Ladurée Union Station, & many more
Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak. ATMs are there are 2 ATM machines located on Level G.
The ticket office is open Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00, Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
Luggage storage is amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis.
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
Nearby hotels include Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill, Phoenix Park Hotel, Kimpton George Hotel.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need