If you’re planning a trip to Raleigh, going by train is simpler than you might think. There are stations in many cities in North Carolina (and beyond) where you can take a train right to Downtown Raleigh.
Once you’re here, you’ll be within easy walking distances of multiple museums, restaurants and kids’ attractions.
Read on to learn about taking the train to Raleigh, including everything you need to know about the train stations, discounts, and more. Then keep reading for an itinerary of things to do in Raleigh when you arrive by train. Or jump right to the itinerary!
The list of attractions and restaurants is not comprehensive, but is a good sampling of what Downtown Raleigh has to offer when you arrive by train.
There’s also a Google map with all the attractions. Jump to the map.
Taking the Train to Raleigh
Train routes to Raleigh
There are three train routes that service Raleigh, North Carolina.
Piedmont
- Raleigh
- Cary
- Durham
- Burlington
- Greensboro
- High Point
- Salisbury
- Kannapolis
- Charlotte
Carolinian
- Stations in Virginia, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York
- Rocky Mount
- Wilson
- Selma
- Raleigh
- Cary
- Durham
- Burlington
- Greensboro
- High Point
- Salisbury
- Kannapolis
- Charlotte
Silver Star
- Stations in Virginia, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York
- Rocky Mount
- Raleigh
- Cary
- Southern Pines
- Hamlet
- Stations in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida
What’s the train ride like?
The train ride is extremely comfortable. There is tons of leg room, free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets for every row, and seats that recline. You can actually recline them without annoying the person behind you, because there’s so much leg room. There is no middle seat.
On the Carolinian and the Silver Star there’s a Café Car where you can purchase sandwiches, hot food, snacks, salads, breakfast, and beverages, including non-alcoholic drinks, wine, beer, hard seltzer, spirits and cocktails. On the Café Car, there is table seating.
On the Piedmont, there is a lounge area with vending machines.
Where is the Amtrak station in Raleigh?
Raleigh Union Station, which opened in 2018, is expansive, bright and airy. It features a large waiting room with comfortable seating. At 510 W Martin Street in Downtown Raleigh, when you step out of the Amtrak train station, you’ll be close to many attractions and restaurants.
Discounts on Train Tickets in North Carolina
Some discounts are offered every day. Find a current list of discounts on NC By Train and on Amtrak.
- Kids age 2-12 ride for 50% off. Infants under age 2 ride for free.
- Seniors 65 years of age and over get 10% off.
- Military personnel and their families save 10%.
- Military veterans save 10%.
- Students 17-24 save 15%.
- Discounts are available to passengers with disabilities and up to one traveling companion.
- National Association of Railroad Passengers members save 10%.
- Groups with 3-8 passengers can save up to 60%. More info.
- North Carolina state employees save 15% when traveling within North Carolina on the Carolinian and Piedmont. More info.
What to do in Raleigh When You Arrive by Train
The great thing about traveling to Raleigh by train is that there is so much to do within walking distance of Raleigh Union Station, at 510 W Martin Street. Of course, ride share services and taxis are available for destinations that aren’t a comfortable walk for you.
Also, GoRaleigh’s buses can help you get around. GoRaleigh fares are suspended through June 30, 2024, so, for now, it’s a free service.
Read on for a list of places to walk to when you come to Raleigh by train, and two that you might want to get to on a bus or ride share. Make sure to check opening hours for each destination.
A Place at the Table
A Place at the Table
300 W Hargett Street, Raleigh, North Carolina
.3 miles from train station
A Place at the table is Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can café. Guests have the option to pay the menu price, pay just $3 for a meal, or volunteer in exchange for a meal. Or, you can “pay it forward” by paying more than the suggested amount on the menu. A Place at the Table offers breakfast and lunch, plus coffee drinks and pastries. Read more about A Place at the Table on Triangle on the Cheap.
CAM Raleigh
CAM Raleigh
409 W Martin Street, Raleigh, NC
.1 mile from train station
CAM Raleigh is a contemporary art museum with every-changing exhibitions by living artists. It’s free to visit. You might want to give them a call to make sure they’re open.
Videri Chocolate Factory
Videri Chocolate Factory
327 W Davie Street, Raleigh, NC
.2 miles from train station
Visit Videri Chocolate Factory, and, if your timing is right, you can see how this small factory creates hand-crafted, artisan chocolate. Self-guided tours are free. Guided tours are $15. You can also sample chocolate bars before you buy. Soft-serve ice cream, sourced from Howling Cow Creamery, is also available.
Black & White Coffee Roasters runs a cafe inside Videri Chocolate Factory, so this is an ideal place to enjoy a coffee and plan out your visit to Raleigh.
ArtSpace
Artspace
201 E Davie Street, Raleigh, NC
.7 miles from train station
Artspace includes both galleries and studios, and when you visit, you can look around any studio that’s open. Free to visit.
Boxcar Bar & Arcade
Boxcar Bar + Arcade
330 W Davie Street, Raleigh, NC
.2 miles from train station
Whether you love pinball, arcade, games, foosball, air hockey or skeeball, you’ll find a game here to spark your competitive spirit. You can bring kids with you before 8 p.m. on weekdays and before 7 p.m. on weekends. Boxcar opens at 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and at 12 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
City of Raleigh Museum
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
.5 miles from train station
City of Raleigh Museum preserves and interprets the history of Raleigh, with around 5,000 artifacts. This is a great place to start if you’d like to get a good overview of what Raleigh is all about.
Morgan Street Food Hall
Morgan Street Food Hall
411 W Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC
.3 miles from train station
There’s something for everyone at Morgan Street Food Hall, whether you’re craving pizza, burgers, lobster rolls, ice cream, empanadas, tacos, or more. Axe throwing is available too. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
North Carolina Museum of History
North Carolina Museum of History
5 E Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC
.7 miles from train station
Explore the history of North Carolina through permanent and temporary exhibits. The museum hosts frequent events, including hands-on activities. Free to visit.
Marbles Kids Museum
Marbles Kids Museum
201 E Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC
.7 miles from train station
This popular spot for kids boasts lots of fun, hands-on activities, as well as an IMAX theater. Advance tickets are required.
Sam Jones BBQ
Sam Jones BBQ
502 W Lenoir Street, Raleigh, NC
.5 miles from train station
Sam Jones BBQ has a rich, three-generation history of whole hog BBQ, slow-smoked over Carolina oak. It’s the real deal.
Pullen Park
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC
1.5 miles from train station
Pullen Park might not be walking distance for families, but it would be a shame to go to Raleigh with kids and skip it. You can save some steps by taking the 11 bus. Just plug “Pullen Park” into your mapping program and it should help you figure out the route. Pullen Park features kid-friendly attractions like the 1911 Dentzel Carousel, kiddie boats, one-third size replica C.P. Huntington miniature train, and pedal boats, as well as playgrounds. Tickets for the amusements are $2 per ride. You should call 919-996-6472 to verify hours and ride availability.
Dix Park
Sunflower Field at Dorothea Dix Park
1987 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, NC
1.6 miles from train station
This is another spot that might not be a comfortable walk for everyone, but is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in Raleigh in July, when the sunflower field is in bloom. Ride share might be the best option, although the 11 bus will get you part of the way there. The sunflower field is probably the most popular spot for photos in Raleigh. Just don’t cut the flowers!
