The Piedmont Amtrak route is a regional service in North Carolina that connects Raleigh and Charlotte. Trip time between the two cities is just over three hours, which is comparable to driving in heavy traffic. There are also many stops in between the two cities and multiple train departures each day, which provides options for easy rail travel.
In this guide, learn about popular stops on the route, schedule highlights, travel times, and FAQ, plus get the full list of stations in route order.
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Table of Contents
Popular Stops
View popular stops on the Piedmont route below. Click the links for travel guides to get information on things to do, where to eat, and where to stay in each city.
Schedule Highlights
- There are multiple morning and afternoon departures from Raleigh.
- There is a morning, afternoon and multiple evening departures from Charlotte.
- Travel time between Raleigh and Charlotte is about three hours.
- Travel time between Raleigh and Durham is about 30 minutes.
Travel Times
View travel times between popular cities on the Piedmont Route below.
| Cities | Train Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Raleigh-Durham | 30 minutes |
| Raleigh-Greensboro | 1.5 hours |
| Raleigh-Charlotte | 3 hours, 15 minutes |
| Charlotte-Greensboro | 1.5 hours |
| Charlotte-Durham | 2.5 hours |
| Charlotte-Cary | 3 hours |
| Cary-Greensboro | 1 hour, 20 minutes |
FAQ
What is the difference between the Piedmont and Carolinian train?
The Piedmont train only travels in North Carolina while the Carolinian train travels between Charlotte and New York City. Additional the Piedmont only has coach seats and the Carolinian has coach and business class.
How much is the train ticket from Raleigh to Charlotte?
Ticket prices vary based on availability and how far in advance you book your ticket. As of 2023, a one-way ticket on the Piedmont for travel between Raleigh and Charlotte cost about $30.
Stations
Explore the full list of Piedmont train stations in route order. Click the station names to view amenities and additional details on the Amtrak website.
- Raleigh, NC – Union Station (RGH)
- Cary, NC (CYN)
- Durham, NC (DNC)
- Burlington, NC (BNC)
- Greensboro, NC (GRO)
- High Point, NC (HPT)
- Salisbury, NC (SAL)
- Kannapolis, NC (KAN)
- Charlotte, NC (CLT)
More Information
Photo by Hanging curve (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Last updated March 2026
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