Amtrak Carolinian: Schedule, Stops, & Route Guide

The Amtrak Carolinian is a daily train that travels 705 miles between Charlotte, NC, and New York, NY, with several intermediate stops, including Richmond and Raleigh. The journey takes approximately 13.5 hours from end to end.

This post includes the Carolinian timetable, schedule, and information on accommodations, food, and more, so you can plan an Amtrak adventure with all the details you need.

Quick Answer: Amtrak Carolinian

The Amtrak Carolinian is a daily train service operating between Charlotte, NC, and New York City. It serves major cities including Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Newark.

The train offers:

• Coach and Business Class seating
• Free Wi-Fi
• A café car with meals, snacks, and drinks
• Carry-on and checked baggage at select stations
• Bicycle service on many segments

The complete route spans approximately 705 miles and takes 14 to 16 hours, depending on the direction and schedule.

The Carolinian is one of Amtrak’s most user-friendly long-distance routes, as it combines travel along the Northeast Corridor with comfortable service through the Mid-Atlantic and North Carolina.

👉 Pro tip: Business Class offers reserved seating and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, making it a more comfortable choice for longer trips.

Amtrak Carolinian Train Host

This train features a volunteer host to assist you throughout your journey. These hosts volunteer their time to ride trains, assist passengers, promote passenger services, and answer questions about the route, ground transportation, and local attractions.

Carolina Coach Class

Amtrak coach seating features comfortable seats and a fold-down tray with a seatback pocket.

You also have individual reading lights and 120V grounded (three-prong) electric outlets under the window.

Every car has two bathrooms. For your luggage, there are overhead shelves above your seat and a luggage rack at one end of the coach car.

Seats on this train are not assigned, but conductors can place you in specific cars based on your destination.

If you are interested in tips and tricks for coach travel, you can find them in the business class section of this post or by clicking the button below.

Coach car layout

Layouts may vary slightly across cars, but this diagram provides an overview of their appearance.

Business class

Amtrak’s Business Class is located in a separate car on this train and features extra legroom, a comfortable seat, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages.

Business class on this train does allow you to reserve your seat. You are assigned a seat at the time of booking, which you can change before boarding.

Additionally, business-class customers receive a 25% bonus on Amtrak Guest Rewards points.

Amtrak Travel Tips

Over the years, I have traveled thousands of miles on Amtrak in coach and business class, and I have developed a few tips that may help you.

Book early for the best deals, but don’t forget to check for sales or see if you qualify for a discount. Here are some tips on saving money on Amtrak. That said, sometimes paying more for those last-minute trips is worth it.

Travel light: Although the Carolinian offers checked baggage at select stations, having less luggage makes boarding, navigating through stations, and settling into your seat much easier.

You can use your phone or tablet to hold your e-tickets or print your Amtrak tickets.

While you should pack light, I suggest bringing a few essentials.

Snacks and a refillable water bottle are always great to bring; they can fill the gaps while you wait for a train or when you need something quick.

Most stations do not have facilities to purchase food, although some may offer vending machines. It is helpful to be prepared to stay healthy and avoid dehydration while traveling.

You need money for the café car to buy food on board; more on that car later.

Bring some entertainment and its related gear.

Many people enjoy looking out the windows during their travels, and I am no exception. However, having a great playlist or podcast on my phone truly enhances the experience. Downloading movies, shows, or other content can also improve your trip, as can bringing a book or another item you enjoy. For more ideas, see my article on entertainment options on Amtrak.

When you plan to listen to something, it’s essential to bring your headphones. This not only ensures your comfort but also respects the privacy of other passengers. Additionally, know how to silence game and phone sounds on your devices; using vibration as a ringtone on the train is a great option.

Don’t forget to pack an extension cord along with your chargers and cables! Since there’s only one outlet for two seats, it’s on the wall and may not be easily accessible for aisle-seat passengers. A three to six-foot extension cord is ideal as it allows you to have power where you need it without disturbing your seatmate. Additionally, it will enable you to plug in multiple devices without monopolizing a single outlet.

Wi-Fi

Amtrak Wi-Fi is available free of charge on this train.

Food on the Amtrak Carolinian: the Café Car

The café car offers a selection of hot and cold meals and snacks. You can also enjoy a variety of hot and cold beverages, including alcoholic options.

The café is open to all customers for most of the journey, but it may close in Washington, D.C., during the engine swap.

You may enjoy your purchases in the café car or take them back to your seat.

You are allowed to bring food and drinks on the train, but consuming any alcohol you bring is prohibited.

Due to FDA regulations, personal food cannot be taken into the café car, and Amtrak cannot store or heat it.

Amtrak Carolinian Add-ons

You can select additional options for this trip at an extra cost.

Pets and service animals

• Pets are allowed on trips of seven hours or less.
  • The combined weight of the pet and carrier must be 20 pounds or less.
• Before booking your fluffy friend, read the Amtrak pet policy
• Print and fill out the paperwork before leaving your home.
• Make reservations for your pet in advance of your travel day.

If you have a service or comfort animal, read Amtrak’s service animal policy before booking to know if your animal qualifies and for booking instructions.

Bikes

• You can bring up to 50 lbs.
• Standard bicycle sizes apply.
• Maximum tire width: 2″.
• You must make bike reservations before your travel day.

Check the link for details; bike service may not be available at all stations. Before booking, check Amtrak’s bike rules and policies.

Luggage: checked and carry-on

Here is how you can get your things onto the train.

Checked Bags on the Carolinian

The Carolinian offers checked baggage service at select stations.

Passengers may:

• Check up to two bags free of charge
• Bring bags weighing up to 50 pounds each
• Check bags under 75 linear inches (length + width + height)
• Check up to two additional bags for an added fee

Checked baggage is available only when both your departure and arrival stations offer checked baggage service.

Carry-on luggage on the Carlonian.

Each passenger may carry on:

• One personal item, up to 25 pounds (12 kg), and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
• Two carry-on pieces of luggage, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each

Charges apply to additional and oversized luggage; see Amtrak’s carry-on bag policy for more information.

All Stops on the Amtrak Carolinian

The Amtrak Carolinian runs between New York City and Charlotte, linking major cities across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and North Carolina. Each station name below provides the most current information for that stop.

• New York, NY – Moynihan Train Hall
• Newark, NJ – Penn Station
• Metropark, NJ
• New Brunswick, NJ
• Princeton Junction, NJ
• Trenton, NJ
• Philadelphia, PA – William H. Gray III 30th Street Station
• Wilmington, DE
• Baltimore, MD – Penn Station
• BWI Marshall Airport, MD
• Washington, DC – Union Station
• Alexandria, VA
• Quantico, VA
• Fredericksburg, VA
• Richmond, VA – Staples Mill Road Station
• Petersburg, VA
• Rocky Mount, NC
• Wilson, NC
• Selma-Smithfield, NC
• Raleigh, NC – Union Station
• Cary, NC
• Durham, NC
• Burlington, NC
• Greensboro, NC
• High Point, NC
• Salisbury, NC
• Kannapolis, NC
• Charlotte, NC

Note: A few stations, including Metropark, New Brunswick, Princeton Junction, BWI Airport, Quantico, and Fredericksburg, may be served in one direction or only at limited times, depending on the schedule. Always check your specific train schedule before booking.

Amtrak Carolinian schedule or timetable

Before leaving for your trip, verify the times on your e-tickets in case of last-minute changes. In most cases, the times listed are departure times. Click a station to see the services offered at that stop. The information below is sourced from Amtrak.com and is subject to change at any time.

Please note that the times shown in parentheses apply to weekend schedules. The schedule was last updated on May 9, 2026.

Amtrak provides the information for these guides, and Amtrak reserves the right to change times at any time.

Printable Amtrak Carolinian Schedule with Connecting Services

You can use the button below or print out one from Amtrak.com. You can learn how to print an Amtrak schedule, whether it’s the latest route or a custom one tailored to your trip.

My goal is to keep these as up to date as possible.

FAQ: Amtrak Carolinian

Final Thoughts on the Amtrak Carolinian

The Amtrak Carolinian is one of the best ways to enjoy train travel along the East Coast, avoiding airport stress, traffic, tolls, and long drives.

If you’re traveling from North Carolina to the Northeast, heading to Washington, D.C., or trying Amtrak for the first time, this route offers a comfortable, relaxing travel experience. With amenities such as a café car, spacious seating, Wi-Fi, and stations in city centers, the Carolinian is a great choice for both short and long trips.

I have spent years traveling on Amtrak routes across the country, and trains like the Carolinian remind us that the journey can be enjoyable rather than just a means of reaching our destination.

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Safe Travels,

Kev