- Must visit
North Carolina Museum of Art
Major art museum with a broad collection from ancient to contemporary works, plus a large outdoor Museum Park with trails and public art.
Cheapest price
$42
Average price
$56
Fastest journey
2 h 40 m
Average duration
2 h 56 m
Buses per day
10
Distance
209 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC will cost around $56 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $42.
Of the 10 buses that leave Charlotte, NC for Raleigh, NC on Fri, Jun 05, 10 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jun 05 the direct buses cover the 209 km distance in an average of 2 h 56 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 40 m .
On Fri, Jun 05 the slowest buses will take 3 h 20 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.


FlixBus
FlixBus




FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $34. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 54m. 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 $34, and a flight costs an average of $261.
Distance: 129 miles (209 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$42 Average price | $36 Average price Cheapest | $439 Average price | $29 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 33m Average total duration 3h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 43m Average total duration 3h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 54m Average total duration Fastest 54m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 31m 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 |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
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 Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC:
A train is $5 (€4) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC costing on average $42 (€34).
A train is $403 (€325) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC costing on average $439 (€355).
Other travel options to Raleigh, NC take longer:
Bus takes on average 3h 3m.
Train takes on average 3h 13m.
You'll arrive about -1h -32m sooner (3h 3m by bus vs 2h 31m by car) and save roughly $-12.45 (€-10.05) compared to fuel and tolls ($42 (€34) vs $29 (€24)). 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, FlixBus.
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 01:25AM | Arrival Time 04:10AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:25AM | Arrival Time 05:10AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:35AM | Arrival Time 05:15AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 05:25AM | Arrival Time 09:45AM | Duration 4h20 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:35AM | Arrival Time 09:15AM | Duration 2h40 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 12:30PM | Duration 3h10 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:25AM | Arrival Time 03:15PM | Duration 4h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 03:00PM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:40AM | Arrival Time 03:10PM | Duration 3h30 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:20PM | Arrival Time 04:55PM | Duration 3h35 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 07:00PM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:15PM | Arrival Time 08:00PM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $33 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:30PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 3h20 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:25PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 2h45 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $32 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 01:50AM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $46 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:05PM | Arrival Time 02:50AM | Duration 3h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue | Cheapest price $41 |
The table below shows live departures for Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC buses for today, Thursday, June 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:25 PM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 2h45 | 12:10 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, June 5 | |||||
![]() | 2:35 AM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 2h40 | 5:15 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:25 AM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 4h20 | 9:45 AM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:20 AM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 3h10 | 12:30 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:15 AM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 3h45 | 3:00 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 11:40 AM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 3h30 | 3:10 PM Raleigh, New Bern Avenue (Exxon), NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:20 PM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 3h35 | 4:55 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:05 PM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 2h45 | 8:50 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:05 PM Charlotte, Freedom Drive (Planet Fitness), NC | 3h45 | 9:50 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 6:30 PM Charlotte, W 4th St (Greyhound Bus Station) | 3h20 | 9:50 PM Raleigh, Bus Station | 0 transfersDirect | |
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 Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, NC run on average 9 times per day, taking around 3h 3m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $28 (€22) if you book in advance.
There are 9 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:40. The fastest bus covers the 129 miles (209 km) distance in 2h 40m.
Distance 129 miles (209 km) |
Average bus duration 3h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price $28 (€22) |
Buses per day 9 |
Direct buses 9 |
Fastest bus 2h 40m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Raleigh — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Raleigh trip today.
Major art museum with a broad collection from ancient to contemporary works, plus a large outdoor Museum Park with trails and public art.
The Southeast's largest natural history museum, known for dinosaur displays, live animals, and hands-on science exhibits in Downtown Raleigh.
Popular family museum with interactive learning exhibits for children, located next to IMAX in the city center.
Raleigh's main downtown street, lined with civic buildings, event spaces, and a central pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
Historic public park with walking paths, lakeside scenery, playgrounds, and family attractions near NC State.
Large urban park popular for skyline views, open lawns, seasonal flower fields, and widely shared sunset photos.
Whole-hog pork barbecue seasoned with a tangy vinegar-pepper sauce, a defining tradition across eastern North Carolina and widely loved in Raleigh.
Pork shoulder barbecue served with a red slaw and a dip that blends vinegar and tomato, representing another classic North Carolina barbecue style common in the Raleigh area.
Creamy stone-ground grits topped with shrimp, a Southern staple found on many Raleigh menus and rooted in the foodways of the Carolinas.
Acclaimed brewery and restaurant combining dim sum, beer, and a stylish dining room, one of Raleigh's best-known destination dining spots.
Established upscale diner by chef Ashley Christensen, known for refined Southern comfort food, seasonal plates, and its famous macaroni au gratin.
Popular casual restaurant specializing in fried chicken, biscuits, and modern Southern dishes in downtown Raleigh.
Raleigh is moderate by U.S. standards, with reasonable dining and coffee prices, while upscale restaurants and hotels cost more.
Tip 18-20% at full-service restaurants. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff and delivery drivers.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Charlotte, NC to Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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