Cheapest
Average
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Raleigh to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
This is the last train of the day.
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Fastest Journey
6 h
Average
6 h 9 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
375 km
Of the 2 trains that leave Raleigh for Washington, DC every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
Distance | 233 miles (375 km) | |
Average train ticket price | $1 (€1) | |
Train frequency | 2 a day | |
Direct train | Yes, there are 2 direct trains a day | |
Train companies | Amtrak |
Trains from Raleigh to Washington, DC cover the 233 miles (375 km) long route taking on average 6 h 9 min with our travel partners like Amtrak. Normally, there are 2 trains operating per day, including direct services available. While the average ticket price for this trip costs around $1 (€1), you can find the cheapest train ticket for as low as $1 (€1).
Amtrak trains will get you between Raleigh and Washington, DC from $1 (€1). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak is a passenger train service based in the United States. It operates more than 300 trains daily including trains between Raleigh and Washington, DC, connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces. Amtrak offers a variety of train types, including the Acela Express, Northeast Regional, Keystone Service, and the Auto Train. The Acela Express is the fastest train, reaching speeds of up to 150 mph. The Northeast Regional is the most popular, offering frequent service between major cities in the Northeast. The Keystone Service is a regional service connecting Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Auto Train is a unique service that allows passengers to transport their cars along with them. Amtrak offers a variety of ticket types, including Saver, Value, Flexible, and Business Class. Saver tickets are the most affordable, while Business Class tickets offer the most amenities, such as complimentary meals and access to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge. Onboard facilities vary by train type, but all Amtrak trains offer comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. The most popular routes for Amtrak include the Northeast Corridor, which runs between Washington, D. C. And Boston, and the Pacific Surfliner, which runs between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, California. Other popular routes include the Capitol Corridor, which runs between San Jose and Sacramento, California, and the Empire Builder, which runs between Chicago and Seattle.
Train information from Raleigh to Washington, DC with Amtrak:
There are daily trains running the route from Raleigh, NC to Washington D.C. There are departures twice a day in the mornings, operating on every day of the week. The trip or segment between these two cities is direct and can take from about 5h 53min to around 6h 18min. This depends on the type of Amtrak train route you choose to travel on.
The trains from Raleigh to Washington D.C. depart twice a day, every day of the week. This adds up to a total of 14 journeys per week. The first departure of the day out of Raleigh is at around 8:45 a.m. on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor, and the last one tend to beat approximately 10:13 a.m. on Amtrak’s Carolinian. The faster route is generally the one departing at around 8:45 a.m.
The journey by train from Raleigh to Washington D.C. covers a distance of about 233 miles (375 km) through the states of North Carolina and Virginia and their beautiful sceneries. These trips take either about 5h 53min with the Amtrak Silver Meteor, or around 6h 18min with the Amtrak Carolinian. Both options are direct and don’t require passengers to change trains at any point before arriving in Washington D.C. The Silver Meteor option makes seven stops before Washington D.C., as opposed to the eight stops the Carolinian makes.
Departure train station: Both of the trains on this route depart from the Raleigh Union Station. This station is located near the Warehouse District of the center of Raleigh. Depending on what part you’re coming from within the city center, it can take less than a half an hour to get to the station by public transportation. The station has the 8, 13 and R-Line buses right out front. The Raleigh Union station is equipped with vending machines for snacks, drinks, an ATM and public restroom, along with a waiting room.
Arrival train station: The routes from Raleigh arrive at the Washington D.C. Union Station. Union Station is located a few blocks, less than about 1 mile (1.6 km), north of the United States Capitol Building in the East End District. Downtown Washington D.C is a little bit farther but easily accessible by public transportation in under 20min. Washington Union Station has a connecting line with the Red Metro Line and various public buses. The station has a shopping mall inside and offers a selection of restaurants, stores and other facilities, like a post office.
The main railway company operating the routes from Raleigh to Washington D.C. is Amtrak. Amtrak has two lines offering the segment from Raleigh to Washington D.C. without any necessary connections. The Amtrak Silver Meteor is a train that goes from Miami, FL to New York City, NY, stopping in both Raleigh and Washington D.C. along the way. The Carolinian rail is a train that travels between Charlotte, NC and New York City, NY, also stopping in both Raleigh and Washington D.C. The Raleigh to Washington D.C. segment runs twice a day, every day of the week. It takes about 5h 53min with the Silver Meteor and around 6h 18min on the Carolinian.
The Amtrak trains from Raleigh to Washington D.C. operate every day throughout the week. There are two per day making the journey. One of the trains is the Silver Meteor Line going from Miami to New York City, and the other is the Carolinian train going from Charlotte to New York City. The Silver Meteor route is slightly faster than the Carolinian. This train departs every day from Raleigh at around 8:45 a.m. and arrives in Washington D.C. at about 2:38 p.m. As for the Carolinian train, it departs daily from Raleigh at approximately 10:13 a.m. and arrives in Washington D.C. at around 4:31p.m. The fastest trip is about 5h 53min long.
If you book your trip through Omio on the Silver Meteor route, you will only have the choice of being seated in Coach Class. As for the Carolinian trains, you may choose between either Coach Class or Business Class. On both of the Amtrak trains, passengers are allowed two personal items and two carry-on bag. If you’re traveling on the Carolinian, you are also allowed two checked bags with your fare. Small cats and dogs are allowed on board with passengers as well. They must be in a pet carrier than cannot weigh over 20 lbs (9 kg), and counts as one of the carry-on items. Carry-on bicycle service is available traveling on the Carolinian Amtrak train. However, it requires a reservation and paying a fee. Silver Meteor trains have a checked bicycle service that also requires prior reservation. Both train stations have accessible platforms to allow transit by passengers with reduced mobility. On board there is accessible seat you may request, if you need the amenities.
Is this case, when traveling on one of the Amtrak trains operating the routes from Raleigh to Washington D.C., the Carolinian routes tend to be slightly more affordable. Something to always keep in mind when booking train ticket, is that prices are cheaper the sooner you buy them. Ticket fares tend to increase the closer it gets to the departure date. If possible, be flexible with your dates. It can be more affordable to ride on certain days of the week, as well as choosing the Carolinian over the Silver Meteor. There are only direct routes for the segment from Raleigh to Washington D.C. so it’s not possible to find options that may be more affordable with a stopover.
Washington, D.C. is the United States capital city, home to the federal government as well as iconic cultural institutions like the Smithsonian. One of the great things to do when you’re in Washington D.C. is to walk the full length of the National Mall. Along the Mall you’ll find various important monuments and memorials such as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial with its reflecting pool, and the World War II Memorial. In addition, this is also where the famous Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is located. At the east end of the Mall is the United States Capitol building. Just a few blocks away you can see the White House, home to the president of the United States. If you’re getting hungry and are looking for a trendy spot to eat, you can go to some great foodie neighborhoods like Adams Morgan or Shaw. Make your way to the Southwest Waterfront on the Potomac River, to enjoy some live music and buzzing energy. For those who have some extra time in Washington D.C., another great place to explore is Georgetown, just northwest of the center of the city. Georgetown is known for its shopping, dining and nightlife.
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