- Must visit
Mint Museum Uptown
Charlotte’s leading art museum in Uptown, known for American, contemporary, and craft collections in a modern building near Levine Center for the Arts.
Cheapest price
$33
Average price
$40
Fastest journey
3 h 20 m
Average duration
3 h 44 m
Buses per day
6
Distance
197 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Cary, NC 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 Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC will cost around $40 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $33.
Of the 6 buses that leave Cary, NC for Charlotte, NC on Mon, Jun 01, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 01 the direct buses cover the 197 km distance in an average of 3 h 44 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 3 h 20 m .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest buses will take 4 h 15 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $32. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 53m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $32, and a flight costs an average of $190.
Distance: 122 miles (197 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$40 Average price | $35 Average price Cheapest | $421 Average price | $27 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 5m Average total duration 3h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 27m Average total duration 2h 57m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 53m Average total duration Fastest 2h 53m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 26m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.6 - 1.2kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC:
A train is $5 (€4) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC costing on average $40 (€32).
A train is $386 (€311) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC costing on average $421 (€339).
Other travel options to Charlotte, NC take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 57m.
Bus takes on average 3h 35m.
You'll arrive about -2h -9m sooner (3h 35m by bus vs 2h 26m by car) and save roughly $-13.10 (€-10.55) compared to fuel and tolls ($40 (€32) vs $27 (€22)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Greyhound.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 03:55AM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:25AM | Arrival Time 04:45AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 02:25AM | Arrival Time 05:45AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:15AM | Arrival Time 08:20AM | Duration 4h05 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $29 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:30AM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 3h25 | Departure days Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:20AM | Arrival Time 09:05AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:45AM | Arrival Time 11:05AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 2h55 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:45PM | Arrival Time 04:05PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:50PM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:25PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:12PM | Arrival Time 07:59PM | Duration 4h47 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:25PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:25PM | Arrival Time 09:55PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 09:40PM | Duration 3h50 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $26 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:25PM | Arrival Time 11:40PM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Mon, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 08:25PM | Arrival Time 12:40AM | Duration 4h15 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 12:45AM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $35 |
The table below shows live departures for Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC buses for today, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:45 PM Cary, NC | 3h20 | 4:05 PM Charlotte, NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, June 1 | |||||
![]() | 2:25 AM Cary, NC | 3h20 | 5:45 AM Charlotte, NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:30 AM Cary, NC | 3h25 | 7:55 AM Charlotte, NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC run on average 8 times per day, taking around 3h 35m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $26 (€21) if you book in advance.
There are 8 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 122 miles (197 km) distance in 3h 20m.
Distance 122 miles (197 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price $26 (€21) |
Buses per day 8 |
Direct buses 8 |
Fastest bus 3h 20m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Charlotte — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Charlotte trip today.
Charlotte’s leading art museum in Uptown, known for American, contemporary, and craft collections in a modern building near Levine Center for the Arts.
A compact but highly regarded modern art museum with works by major 20th-century artists, popular for its architecture and central location.
Interactive museum celebrating NASCAR history, drivers, and racing culture, especially popular with motorsports fans visiting Charlotte.
The city’s central district, packed with museums, plazas, sports venues, and skyline views; the main base for first-time visitors.
One of Charlotte’s trendiest neighborhoods, known for the Rail Trail, murals, adaptive reuse buildings, and strong social media appeal.
A large, popular park with trails, lake views, bridges, and open lawns; ideal for a relaxed walk close to residential Charlotte.
Slow-smoked pork shoulder, usually chopped or pulled and dressed with a tangy vinegar-based sauce. It is a classic regional barbecue style widely loved around Charlotte.
Pork shoulder smoked over hardwood and served with a red slaw made with ketchup and vinegar. This Piedmont North Carolina specialty is common in the Charlotte area.
Crisp, seasoned chicken with deep Southern roots, often served with biscuits and classic sides. It is a staple comfort food across Charlotte and the Carolinas.
Established fine-dining restaurant in a historic house, known for seasonal American cuisine, polished service, and a romantic atmosphere.
Well-known NoDa restaurant specializing in Southern small plates, fried chicken, and house-made sides with a stylish neighborhood feel.
Popular barbecue restaurant known for smoked meats, brisket, ribs, and pulled pork in a lively, casual setting.
Moderate for U.S. city travel. Hotels vary by event dates, while casual dining and coffee are reasonably priced.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or tip 10-15% for taxis, and tip hotel staff.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cary, NC to Charlotte, NC by bus. 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 bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Charlotte, NC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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