The Amtrak Charlotte to Raleigh corridor is served by Amtrak’s Piedmont and Carolinian services, operating up to five daily departures in each direction. The route spans approximately 173 miles, with intermediate stops in Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, and Cary. Scheduled travel times range from 2 hours 58 minutes to 3 hours 38 minutes. Coach Class is available on all trains, while Business Class accommodations are offered exclusively on the Carolinian. Coach fares generally begin in the $25 to $35 range.
Amtrak Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC
The Piedmont is North Carolina’s in-state corridor train, running exclusively between Charlotte and Raleigh. The Carolinian covers the same North Carolina stations but continues north to Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. Together, the two services combine for about five trains a day in each direction along the Charlotte-Raleigh segment.
- Train Lines: Piedmont (Trains 71-78) and Carolinian (Trains 79, 80)
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours 58 minutes to 3 hours 38 minutes
- Distance: Approximately 173 miles (278 km)
- Frequency: Up to five daily departures in each direction
- Departure Station: Amtrak Charlotte Gateway Station (CLT), 1914 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28206
- Arrival Station: Amtrak Raleigh Union Station (RGH), 510 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Amtrak Charlotte to Raleigh Train Schedule
The ticket prices are approximate starting fares and can increase with demand. Passengers should confirm current pricing before booking. Monday-through-Thursday departure times shift, and a few midday Piedmont trains currently operate as two connecting segments through Greensboro rather than a single through train on weekdays. Check the official Amtrak website when booking a weekday trip.
Eastbound Travel from Charlotte
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Charlotte) | Arrival (Raleigh) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Business Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 Carolinian | 6:45 a.m. | 10:13 a.m. | Daily Service | 3 hours 28 minutes | From $25 | From $162 |
| 72 Piedmont | 10:45 a.m. | 1:41 p.m. | Sunday, Friday, and Saturday | 3 hours 16 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
| 74 Piedmont | 2:20 p.m. | 5:36 p.m. | Daily Service | 3 hours 16 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
| 76 Piedmont | 5:05 p.m. | 8:04 p.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 59 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
| 78 Piedmont | 7:45 p.m. | 10:52 p.m. | Daily Service | 3 hours 7 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
Intermediate Stops: Train 74 from Charlotte
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Gateway Station (CTL) | Departs 2:20 p.m. |
| Kannapolis (KAN) | 2:45 p.m. |
| Salisbury (SAL) | 3:01 p.m. |
| High Point (HPT) | 3:35 p.m. |
| Greensboro (GRO) | 3:54 p.m. |
| Burlington (BNC) | 4:15 p.m. |
| Durham (DNC) | 5:01 p.m. |
| Cary (CYN) | 5:22 p.m. |
| Raleigh Union Station (RGH) | Arrives 5:36 p.m. |
Westbound Travel from Raleigh
| Amtrak Train | Departure (Raleigh) | Arrival (Charlotte) | Days of Operation | Duration | Coach | Business Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 Piedmont | 6:30 a.m. | 9:28 a.m. | Daily Service | 2 hours 58 minutes | From $25 | From $162 |
| 73 Piedmont | 10:00 a.m. | 1:10 p.m. | Sunday, Friday, and Saturday | 3 hours 10 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
| 75 Piedmont | 12:45 p.m. | 3:55 p.m. | Sunday, Friday, and Saturday | 3 hours 10 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
| 77 Piedmont | 3:15 p.m. | 6:21 p.m. | Daily Service | 3 hours 6 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
| 79 Piedmont | 7:15 p.m. | 10:45 p.m. | Daily Service | 3 hours 30 minutes | From $25 | Not offered |
Intermediate Stops: Train 73 from Raleigh
| Station | Scheduled Timing |
|---|---|
| Raleigh Union Station (RGH) | Departs 10:00 a.m. |
| Cary (CYN) | 10:12 a.m. |
| Durham (DNC) | 10:32 a.m. |
| Burlington (BNC) | 11:08 a.m. |
| Greensboro (GRO) | 11:35 a.m. |
| High Point (HPT) | 11:52 a.m. |
| Salisbury (SAL) | 12:25 p.m. |
| Kannapolis (KAN) | 12:42 p.m. |
| Charlotte Gateway Station (CTL) | Arrives 1:10 p.m. |
Available Seating Options on the Amtrak Charlotte to Raleigh Route
The two train services operating on this route offer different accommodation options.
Piedmont:
Amtrak Coach Class: The Piedmont offers Coach Class only, with comfortable reclining seats, fold-down trays, individual reading lights, and grounded electrical outlets at every seat. A lounge car offers sandwiches, snacks, and beverages.
Carolinian:
Amtrak Coach Class: Reclining leg-rest seating with at-seat power outlets and complimentary Wifi connection.
Amtrak Business Class: Offers seat selection, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, a fully refundable ticket if canceled prior to departure, and a 25 percent Amtrak Guest Rewards point bonus.
Both the Piedmont and the Carolinian have a volunteer train host program, where volunteers ride the train to assist passengers and answer questions about the route and connections.
Additional Amenities Offered
Baggage: Passengers can bring carry-on items that fit in the onboard overhead racks. Checked baggage service is available at select stations, including Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, and Raleigh.
Pets: Small dogs and cats are permitted onboard in approved carriers under Amtrak’s pet program, which is subject to size and weight limits and a separate pet fare.
Accessibility: All stations on this route are wheelchair accessible, with no barriers between station platforms and train cars.
Passengers can purchase tickets online, through the Amtrak app, by phone, or at staffed stations in Charlotte and Raleigh. Booking about two weeks in advance is advised for lower fares. Amtrak Guest Rewards points apply toward future trips and seat upgrades. Additionally, plan to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes early, especially if traveling with checked baggage.
FAQs
Travel time ranges from about 2 hours 58 minutes to 3 hours 38 minutes, depending on the specific train and day of the week.
Up to five trains run daily in each direction, combining four Piedmont departures with one Carolinian departure.
Coach fares commonly start in the $25 to $35 range, with pricing subject to change based on demand, travel date, and how far in advance the ticket is purchased.
Trains depart from and arrive at Charlotte Gateway Station, 1914 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28206.
Trains use Raleigh Union Station at 510 W Martin St, which also serves the Silver Star and Palmetto lines.
The route stops at Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, and Cary.
Business Class is available on the Carolinian but not on the Piedmont, which offers Coach Class only.
No, both the Piedmont and the Carolinian operate as daytime corridor and regional trains with Coach and, on the Carolinian, Business Class seating only.
Yes, at select stations including Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, and Raleigh, subject to standard Amtrak baggage rules.
You should consider booking tickets at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance for better pricing to travel on Amtrak from Charlotte to Raleigh.
