Amtrak Piedmont operates four daily round trips between Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. The 173-mile route stops in Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, and Kannapolis, though not every train stops at every station.
End-to-end trips typically last about three to three and a half hours, depending on the train service and the number of scheduled stops.
The Piedmont train provides Coach Class seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and an NCDOT lounge car featuring vending machines, free coffee, and bottled water. Piedmont offers no Business Class or sleeping accommodations.
This guide includes the Piedmont schedule, station stops, seating information, food options, baggage policies, and other details to help you plan your trip.
Amtrak Piedmont Quick Answer
The Piedmont offers four daily round trips between Raleigh and Charlotte.
- Route: Raleigh to Charlotte, North Carolina
- Distance: 173 miles
- Travel time: Approximately three to three and a half hours
- Frequency: Four daily round trips
- Accommodation: Coach Class
- Food: Lounge car with vending machines, complimentary coffee, and bottled water
- Wi-Fi: Complimentary
- Electrical outlets: Available
- Checked baggage: Available on select trains and at select stations
- Bikes: Limited space; reservations are required
- Pets: Small dogs and cats are permitted with reservations and restrictions
- Not available: Business Class, sleeping accommodations, or a traditional Café Car
Amtrak Piedmont Schedule
Piedmont operates eight daily trains: four from Raleigh to Charlotte and four from Charlotte to Raleigh.
Not every Piedmont train stops at every station. A dash in the schedule indicates that a train does not stop at that station.
Temporary schedule notice: Amtrak has announced schedule adjustments for select Piedmont and Carolinian trains from August 31 to October 8, 2026, due to track work. Additional changes are also planned for the Carolina Panthers game on September 13. Please check the Amtrak Piedmont page, the Amtrak app, or your eTicket before heading to the station.
I last verified the following schedule on September 5, 2026. Times can change, so use this schedule as a planning guide and confirm your exact departure time before traveling.
Southbound Piedmont Schedule: Raleigh to Charlotte
Read down to follow each train’s schedule.
| Communities Served | Miles | Train 71 | Train 73 | Train 75 | Train 77 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh Union Station, NC (RGH) | 0 | 6:30a | 10:00a | 12:45p | 3:45p |
| Cary, NC (CYN) | 8 | 6:42a | 10:12a | 12:57p | 3:55p |
| Durham, NC (DNC) | 26 | 7:02a | 10:32a | 1:17p | 4:15p |
| Burlington, NC (BNC) | 60 | — | 11:08a | 1:55p | 5:00p |
| Greensboro, NC (GRO) | 81 | 8:01a | 11:35a | 2:20p | 5:35p |
| High Point, NC (HPT) | 97 | — | 11:52a | 2:37p | 5:53p |
| Salisbury, NC (SAL) | 131 | — | 12:25p | 3:11p | 6:27p |
| Kannapolis, NC (KAN) | 147 | 8:59a | 12:42p | 3:27p | — |
| Charlotte, NC (CLT) | 173 | 9:28a | 1:10p | 3:55p | 7:06p |
Northbound Piedmont Schedule: Charlotte to Raleigh
Read down to follow each train’s schedule.
| Communities Served | Miles | Train 72 | Train 74 | Train 76 | Train 78 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC (CLT) | 0 | 10:25a | 2:20p | 5:05p | 7:45p |
| Kannapolis, NC (KAN) | 26 | 10:50a | 2:45p | 5:30p | — |
| Salisbury, NC (SAL) | 42 | 11:06a | 3:01p | — | 8:22p |
| High Point, NC (HPT) | 76 | 11:40a | 3:35p | — | 8:56p |
| Greensboro, NC (GRO) | 92 | 11:59a | 3:54p | 6:30p | 9:15p |
| Burlington, NC (BNC) | 113 | 12:21p | 4:15p | — | 9:37p |
| Durham, NC (DNC) | 147 | 1:02p | 5:01p | 7:28p | 10:17p |
| Cary, NC (CYN) | 165 | 1:28p | 5:22p | 7:50p | 10:38p |
| Raleigh Union Station, NC (RGH) | 173 | 1:41p | 5:36p | 8:04p | 10:52p |
Times are local. The times at Charlotte and Raleigh are arrival times when those stations are the train’s final destination.
The Piedmont Versus the Carolinian
The Piedmont and Carolinian trains both operate along the Raleigh–Charlotte corridor, but they differ.
Piedmont trains 71 through 78 operate exclusively within North Carolina, connecting Raleigh and Charlotte.
Trains 79 and 80, the Carolinian, travel between Raleigh and Charlotte; however, the Carolinian continues north through Virginia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City.
The Carolinian offers an additional travel option between North Carolina cities. Unlike the Piedmont service, it features Business Class seating and a traditional Café Car. When booking, check the train name and number, as the onboard experience varies between the two services.
Piedmont Coach Class
Amtrak’s Piedmont offers Coach Class seating but no Business Class or sleeping accommodations.
Coach seating includes:
- Comfortable reclining seats
- Fold-down tray tables
- Individual reading lights
- Electrical outlets
- Overhead luggage storage
- Restrooms
Some Piedmont cars have seats facing in both directions. Your preferred seat direction is not guaranteed, so your seat may face forward or backward during the trip.
I always recommend using an extension cord; this gives you more flexibility with plugging in, especially if you have an aisle seat.
Volunteer Train Hosts
Volunteer train hosts may ride aboard Piedmont trains to assist passengers.
Volunteers can answer basic questions about the route, stations, local transportation, and attractions near Piedmont stops. While they provide helpful information, conductors and other Amtrak crew members handle tickets, train operations, and official travel assistance.
Wi-Fi and Electrical Outlets
Piedmont trains offer free Wi-Fi.
Train Wi-Fi performance can fluctuate depending on your location and cellular coverage strength. Generally, it is adequate for checking email and browsing the web. However, don’t rely on it for streaming or important video calls.
Electrical outlets are available to charge phones, tablets, laptops, and other small devices. Bringing a short extension cord or multi-port charger can make it easier to share the available outlet with your seatmate.
There is no onboard movie or entertainment system, so download any movies, shows, podcasts, books, or music you want before you leave home. For entertainment ideas, check out my entertainment when riding Amtrak post.
Food and Drinks on the Piedmont
The Piedmont features an NCDOT lounge car instead of a traditional Amtrak Café Car, offering snack and beverage vending machines.
The lounge car offers free coffee and bottled water.
Bringing Food and Drinks Aboard
You can bring your own food and nonalcoholic drinks on board the Piedmont. However, the crew cannot heat, refrigerate, or store any food you bring.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on Piedmont trains, including those brought from home. This differs from most other Amtrak trains.
Piedmont Baggage Policy
Passengers may bring the following aboard the train:
- One personal item: Up to 25 pounds and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
- Two carry-on bags: Up to 50 pounds and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each
The train offers overhead shelves and designated luggage storage areas.
Checked baggage service is available only on select Piedmont trains and at specific stations. Both your departure and arrival stations must provide checked baggage service.
Check your reservation or station information before traveling if you plan to check luggage. Find additional information in Amtrak’s carry-on baggage policy.
Bringing a Bicycle on the Piedmont
Trainside bicycle service is available on the Piedmont train, but space is limited. You must reserve a spot when booking your ticket.
Standard bicycles can weigh up to 50 pounds and have a maximum tire width of two inches. Bicycle service might not be available at every station or on every train.
Stations with checked baggage service may accept boxed bicycles, but handling and bicycle box fees may apply.
Review Amtrak’s bicycle information before booking your trip.
Bringing a Pet on the Piedmont
Small dogs and cats may travel aboard the Piedmont through Amtrak’s pet program.
The combined weight of the pet and carrier cannot exceed 20 pounds. A pet reservation and fee are required, and space is limited.
Your pet must remain inside an approved carrier while aboard the train—Review Amtrak’s complete pet policy before booking.
Trained service animals are covered under a separate policy and are not considered pets. Emotional support or comfort animals that do not meet Amtrak’s service-animal requirements must travel under the regular pet program. Learn more from Amtrak’s service-animal policy.
Accessibility and Family Amenities
The Piedmont complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, though services may vary by station.
If you require assistance with boarding, wheelchair space, or other accommodations, please include your request when making your reservation or contact Amtrak before your trip.
Piedmont trains provide diaper-changing stations for passengers who are traveling with young children.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Piedmont
How many Piedmont trains run each day?
The Piedmont offers four daily round trips, providing passengers with eight trains between Raleigh and Charlotte.
How long does the Piedmont take between Raleigh and Charlotte?
End-to-end trips typically last about three to three and a half hours. Travel times may vary because some trains stop less often than others.
Does every Piedmont train stop at every station?
Some trains do not stop at Burlington, High Point, Salisbury, or Kannapolis. Please check the schedule for your specific train before booking.
Does the Piedmont have Business Class?
The Piedmont offers only Coach Class, while the Carolinian provides both Coach and Business Class along the same Raleigh–Charlotte corridor.
Does the Piedmont have a Café Car?
The Piedmont does not feature a traditional Amtrak Café Car; instead, it has an NCDOT lounge car equipped with vending machines, complimentary coffee, and bottled water.
Can I bring food aboard the Piedmont?
Yes, you may bring food and nonalcoholic drinks onboard the train; however, the crew cannot heat, chill, or store these items.
Can I drink alcohol aboard the Piedmont?
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on Piedmont trains.
Does the Piedmont travel to New York?
The Piedmont train operates only between Raleigh and Charlotte, while the Carolinian serves the same North Carolina corridor and continues to Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York.
Can I check luggage on the Piedmont?
Checked baggage service is available on select trains, but only between stations that offer it. Always confirm checked baggage availability at both stations before relying on this service.
Final Thoughts on the Amtrak Piedmont
With four daily round trips, the Piedmont offers several convenient options for traveling between Raleigh, Charlotte, and the cities in between.
Coach seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, and the lounge car make the approximately three-hour trip comfortable and straightforward. Just remember that not every train stops at every station, so check your train number and schedule carefully before booking.
Schedules can change due to track work, special events, or other operational needs. Before leaving for the station, check the Amtrak app or your eTicket for the most accurate departure time.
Safe travels and happy planning,
Kev
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