- Must visit
Delaware Art Museum
Major art museum known for American art, British Pre-Raphaelite works, and a notable sculpture garden. A top cultural stop in Wilmington.
Cheapest price
$176
Average price
$240
Fastest journey
11 h 7 m
Average duration
12 h 24 m
Trains per day
3
Distance
683 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC will cost around $240 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $176.
Of the 3 trains that leave Philadelphia, PA for Wilmington, NC on Fri, May 29, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 29 the direct trains cover the 683 km distance in an average of 12 h 24 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 11 h 7 m .
On Fri, May 29 the slowest trains will take 13 h 18 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 Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $69. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 56m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $69, and a flight costs an average of $339.
Distance: 424 miles (683 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$217 Average price | $145 Average price Cheapest | $499 Average price | $108 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
11h 35m Average total duration 11h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 13h 15m Average total duration 12h 45m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 56m Average total duration Fastest 2h 56m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 9h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC:
A bus is $71 (€58) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC costing on average $217 (€175).
A bus is $354 (€286) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC costing on average $499 (€403).
Other travel options to Wilmington, NC take longer:
Train takes on average 11h 5m.
Bus takes on average 12h 45m.
Tickets start at around $217 (€175) compared to roughly $108 (€87) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-108.60 (€-87.69). The journey takes 11h 5m versus 9h 5m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC trains for today, Thursday, May 28. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:30 AM Philadelphia, PA | 12h50 | 12:20 AM Wilmington, NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:32 AM Philadelphia, PA | 12h48 | 12:20 AM Wilmington, NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 12:32 PM Philadelphia, PA | 12h48 | 1:20 AM Wilmington, NC | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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.
Trains from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, NC run on average 1 times per day, taking around 11h 5m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $164 (€133) but you can travel from only $69 (€56) by bus.
The earliest train runs at 07:30, the last at 10:20. The fastest train covers the 424 miles (683 km) distance in 11h 7m.
Distance 424 miles (683 km) |
Average train duration 11h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $164 (€133) |
Trains per day 1 |
Fastest train 11h 7m |
First train 7:30 AM |
Last train 10:20 AM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Wilmington — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Wilmington trip today.
Major art museum known for American art, British Pre-Raphaelite works, and a notable sculpture garden. A top cultural stop in Wilmington.
Museum and historic site on the original DuPont gunpowder works with riverside industrial exhibits, gardens, and restored mills.
Family-friendly science museum with regional nature exhibits, dinosaurs, shells, and hands-on displays near Wilmington.
The city's most popular modern leisure district with a scenic riverwalk, public art, entertainment venues, and easy strolling.
Large Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park area with trails, river views, bridges, and one of Wilmington's best walking settings.
Historic downtown corridor lined with restored buildings, theaters, shops, and frequent events. A core area for urban exploring.
Slow-smoked pork shoulder, usually chopped or pulled and dressed with tangy vinegar-based barbecue sauce. It is one of the region's signature foods.
Whole-hog style barbecue seasoned with a thin vinegar and pepper sauce. This historic coastal Carolina tradition is central to local food culture.
Lightly battered and fried local seafood, a style from nearby coastal North Carolina. Shrimp, fish, and oysters are common and widely loved around Wilmington.
Upscale downtown restaurant focused on North Carolina ingredients, local seafood, and refined Southern cooking in a polished setting.
Popular local seafood restaurant known for shrimp and grits, oyster dishes, and dependable coastal favorites in a relaxed atmosphere.
Established downtown spot serving Southern comfort food, brunch, and regional classics in a casual historic setting.
Moderate for U.S. travel. Hotels vary by season, while casual dining and coffee are reasonably priced.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Philadelphia, PA to Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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