Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC train with Amtrak

Sat, Sep 12
+ Add return
Amtrak
Renfe AVANT
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
CrossCountry
2,000+ travel companies
Amtrak
Renfe AVANT
Regionale
Deutsche Bahn
CrossCountry
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 Sep 12

Cheapest price on Sep 12

€77

Average ticket price on Sep 12

€81

Fastest journey on Sep 12

8 h

Average journey duration on Sep 12

8 h 58 m

Trains on Sep 12

2

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 traveling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC will cost around €81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €77.

Fast trains

On Sat, Sep 12, we found 2 trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC, including 2 direct services.

On Sat, Sep 12 the direct trains cover the 529 km distance in an average of 8 h 58 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 8 h .

On Sat, Sep 12 the slowest trains will take 9 h 55 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.

  • Amtrak79 Carolinian
    1:05 PM9h55
    Washington Union Station, Washington, DC
    11:00 PMCharlotte Station, Charlotte, NC
    771One-way
    0 transfers
  • Amtrak19 Crescent
    6:30 PM8h00
    Washington Union Station, Washington, DC
    2:30 AMCharlotte Station, Charlotte, NC
    841One-way
    0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train, bus, and flight for Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC

Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €53 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 37m. 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 bus costs an average of €53, while a flight costs an average of €181.

Distance: 529 km

Compare train with

Train
Most popular
Bus
Flight

€93

Average price

€53

Average price

Cheapest

€181

Average price

9h 52m

Average total duration

9h 22m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

9h 13m

Average total duration

8h 43m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 37m

Average total duration

Fastest

1h 37m

Onboard

+

2h 0m

Additional time*

0.2 - 0.5kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.5 - 1.3kg

CO2 emissions

1.6 - 3.2kg

CO2 emissions

Amtrak

Most popular train company

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

American Airlines

Most popular airline

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.

The cheapest way to travel from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC is a bus with an average price of €53.

This is compared to other travel options from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC:

A bus is €40 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC costing on average €93.

A bus is €128 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC costing on average €181.

The fastest way to travel from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC is by flight with an average journey time of 1h 37m.

Other travel options to Charlotte, NC take longer:

Bus takes on average 8h 43m.

Train takes on average 9h 22m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC including taking a train, bus, and flight.

Live departures

Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC train times

The table below shows live departures for Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC trains for today, Friday, September 11. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
Amtrak19 Crescent6:30 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC
8h00
2:30 AM Charlotte Station, Charlotte, NC0 transfersDirect
Saturday, September 12
Amtrak79 Carolinian1:05 PM Washington Union Station, Washington, DC
9h55
11:00 PM Charlotte Station, Charlotte, NC0 transfersDirect

This is the last train of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC by train, bus, or flight

Compare train, bus, 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.

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Journey information

Overview: Train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC

USAUSA
USAUSA
Icon of train

Trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 9h 22m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €67 but you can travel from only €38 by bus.

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 8h 0m.

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
Bus from €38
Distance
529 km
Average train duration
9h 22m
Cheapest ticket price
€67
Trains per day
2
Direct trains
2
Fastest train
8h 0m
First train
4:04 AM
Last train
6:30 PM
Cheapest Month
Jun
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sep
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
Bus from €38

Train companies: Amtrak from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC from €38. 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
8h 0m
Cheapest Amtrak Price
€67
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

FAQs: Trains from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC

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
Cheap train tickets from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC can start from as little as €67 when you book in advance. The average train ticket price for Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC is €93; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC is 8h 0m to travel the 529 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC leaves at 4:04 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner   from Omio.
The latest train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC leaves at 6:30 PM.
Yes,there are 2 direct trains a day from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC with Amtrak. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct trains.
When taking a train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC, you can count on Amtrak for the best way to get you to Charlotte, NC. You can also check all possible train companies who offer a service between Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC and compare the amenities they offer before buying a train ticket.
A trip to Charlotte, NC from Washington, DC is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 8h 0m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a train from Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC is June.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Washington, DC and Charlotte, NC including taking a train, bus, and flight.

popular train stations

Popular train stations from Washington, DC to 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

HomeTrainsTrains in USAWashington, DC to Charlotte, NC train

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