Traveling by train in Raleigh, NC

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Photo by @raleighunionstation

All aboard. Whether you are traveling locally or out of state, taking advantage of NC’s rail system is a great way to get around. Passengers can get from Raleigh to Charlotte in ~3 hours, and Fido can even tag along.

Raleigh’s new transportation center, Raleigh Union Station (completed in 2018), is located in downtown’s Warehouse District at 510 W Martin St. It features a covered platform, indoor concord + plenty of indoor seating. As of Mon., Apr. 5, The Piedmont and Carolinian have fully resumed — meaning there are now several daily round trips Raleighites can choose from. The Silver Star will resume daily operation on Mon., June 7.

Southbound

  • 6:30 a.m. #73 Piedmont | Raleigh to Charlotte
  • 10 a.m. #75 Piedmont | Raleigh to Charlotte
  • 3 p.m. #77 Piedmont | Raleigh to Charlotte
  • 5:30 p.m. #79 Carolinian | New York to Charlotte

Northbound

  • 10:05 a.m. #80 Carolinian | Charlotte to New York
  • 1:41 p.m. #74 Piedmont | Charlotte to Raleigh
  • 6:26 p.m. #76 Piedmont | Charlotte to Raleigh
  • 10:11 p.m. #78 Piedmont | Charlotte to Raleigh

Note: Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

Raleigh may also be getting a high-speed rail to Richmond called the “S-Line”. Although construction is still far out, NCDOT received a $47.5 million federal grant for the corridor. The new line will be able to go ~110 mph (Amtrak trains are only able to go ~80 mph on the current tracks).

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