Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC train with Amtrak

Wed 21 Oct
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Amtrak
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
Amtrak
Avanti West Coast
Great Western Railway
Regionale
West Midlands Trains
2,000+ travel companies
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The cheapest and fastest trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 21 Oct

Cheapest price on 21 Oct

£79

Average ticket price on 21 Oct

£79

Fastest journey on 21 Oct

11 h 41 m

Average journey duration on 21 Oct

11 h 41 m

Trains on 21 Oct

1

Distance

529 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC will cost around £79 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £79.

Fast trains

To travel from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC you need to make at least 2 changes.

  • Amtrak1479 Connecting Bus · 1179 Carolinian · 79 Carolinian
    11:1011h41
    Washington Union Station, Washington, DC
    22:51Charlotte Station, Charlotte, NC
    £791One-way
    2 changes

Journey information

Overview: Train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC

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Trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 8h 53m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £58 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 18:30. The fastest train covers the 529 km distance in 7h 41m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £33
Distance
529 km
Average train duration
8h 53m
Cheapest ticket price
£58
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
2
Fastest train
7h 41m
First train
4:04
Last train
18:30
Cheapest Month
Aug
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Sun
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
14 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Coach from £33

Live departures

Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC train times

The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC trains for today, Tuesday 20 October. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
Amtrak1479 Connecting Bus · 1179 Carolinian · 79 Carolinian11:10 Washington Union Station, Washington, DC
11h41
22:51 Charlotte Station, Charlotte, NC2 changes

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Train companies: Amtrak from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC from £33. With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.

Amtrak

About
Amtrak is the main passenger train operator in the United States, providing medium- and long-distance intercity services across 46 states and three Canadian provinces. Operating over 300 trains daily and serving more than 500 destinations, Amtrak connects cities and regions nationwide through routes such as the high-speed Acela in the Northeast Corridor, the scenic Coast Starlight along the West Coast, and the Empire Builder linking Chicago to the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. Other notable services include the Northeast Regional, Keystone Service, and the unique Auto Train, which allows passengers to bring their cars onboard. Amtrak offers a variety of classes to suit different budgets and travel needs, including Coach, Business, First Class, and Sleeper Class with options like Roomettes, Bedrooms, and Bedroom Suites for overnight journeys. Ticket types include Saver, Value, Flexible, Business, and Premium. Onboard amenities vary by service but may include comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, power outlets, dining options, and lounge access on select trains. Popular routes include Washington, D.C.–Boston, San Diego–San Luis Obispo, San Jose–Sacramento, and Chicago–Seattle.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Amtrak Duration
7h 41m
Cheapest Amtrak Price
£58
Amtrak frequency
2 a day
Luggage included
2 personal items and 2 carry-on bags included free
Luggage storage
Overhead racks, under seats, and designated luggage areas at end of cars
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies depend on ticket type and timing
Refund
Full refund if train is canceled by Amtrak
Amenities on board the train
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Café car with snacks, beverages, and light meals. Long-distance trains have full-service dining cars
Seat reservation
Included in ticket price for Business and First Class. Optional fee for Coach Class
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Wheelchair spaces, accessible restrooms, Red Cap assistance service, accessible platforms and stations
Pets
Small pets under 20 pounds allowed for $26 fee. Must be in carrier. Service animals travel free
Quiet zone

Complete guide to Charlotte, NC

Things to do in Charlotte, NC

Discover the best of Charlotte, NC — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Charlotte, NC trip today.

  • Must visit

Mint Museum Uptown

Major Uptown art museum with American, European and modern works, plus rotating exhibitions and strong decorative arts holdings.

  • Recommended

Levine Museum of the New South

Interactive museum on the New South, with thoughtful exhibits on Charlotte, civil rights and the region's changing identity.

  • Recommended

Mint Museum Randolph

Museum in the historic former US Mint building, featuring craft, design and decorative arts in a quieter setting.

US dollar ($)

Moderate for a US city. Hotels and dining are mid-priced, while Lynx light rail and buses keep local travel fairly affordable for visitors.

Average meal costs

Budget
$10-18 for fast food or a casual meal.
Mid-range
$20-40 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
$70+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
$4-6 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Tip 18-20% in restaurants, more for excellent service. Taxis usually 10-15%. In cafés, round up or add $1-2 for barista service.

FAQs: Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC train

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC 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 Charlotte, NC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
The cost of a train ticket from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC can vary. The cheapest tickets are usually available from £58, while the average price tends to be around £118.
The train journey from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC covers a distance of 529 km and takes approximately 7h 41m. Trains run 2 per day.
The train distance from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC is 529 km.
The first train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC leaves at 4:04.
The last train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC departs at 18:30.
Trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC run approximately 2 times per day.
Currently, there is no high-speed train service from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC.
Yes, there is a direct train between Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC. The service operates 2 times per day, provided by Amtrak.
There is no night train service from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC.
The train station in Washington, DC that goes to Charlotte, NC is Washington Union Station, Washington, DC, and it arrives at Charlotte Station, Charlotte, NC.
Booking trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC in advance is advisable, especially during peak travel seasons or for long journeys, to ensure availability and secure better fares.
The train journey from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC offers diverse scenery, with views of picturesque countryside, charming small towns, and stretches of lush forests, particularly during the autumn months when the foliage is vibrant.
Yes, you can take the train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC.

popular train stations

Important Stations and Airports in Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC

Most Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC trains use the Union Station to Charlotte Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.

Departure train stations in Washington
Arrival train stations in Charlotte

Which Washington, DC station do trains to Charlotte, NC leave from?

Trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC leave from Union Station. The station is 3 km from Washington, DC city centre at 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States.
Union Station50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States+1 202 2891908WifiLockersParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityHotelTicket OfficeBike ParkingBike RentalCar RentalInformation Desk
City-centre transport

Getting to Union Station from Washington city centre

Union Station is 2 km from Washington city centre. Public transport options include:

BusD30 · 15m · £3 · every ~10 min
281, 481, 483, 484, 486 · 19m · £2 · every ~1 min
SubwayR · 5m · £2 · every ~27 min

Union Station train station facilities and services

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 and drink

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

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak. ATMs are there are 2 ATM machines located on Level G.

Tickets and information

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 and lost property

Luggage storage is amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis.

Bike and car services

Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.

Shops, hotels and contact

Nearby hotels include Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill, Phoenix Park Hotel, Kimpton George Hotel.

More options for your journey from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

Most popular train connections to Charlotte, NC

HomeTrainsTrains in USATrain Times to Charlotte, NC Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC train

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