Rails to Raleigh is very conveniently located in the Heart of Carolina, and can be easily reached by train, plane or car.

This page provides detailed information about traveling to Rails to Raleigh by almost any method, and gives you contact and schedule information for Amtrak and NCDOT trains, and contact information for the airlines that serve the area.

If you are traveling by car, Interstate 40 passes the convention hotel less than a third of a mile away. We are also within about 35 miles of both Interstates 85 and 95.

The State of North Carolina is served daily by twelve passenger trains along six routes. Two of the routes — the Piedmont and the Carolinian — are sponsored by the state. Four other Amtrak national system long-distance trains also serve the state — Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Silver Palm, Crescent. All trains are operated by Amtrak. Click for Amtrak reservations.

The Carolinian, Piedmont and Silver Star serve Raleigh, Cary and the Research Triangle Area of North Carolina.

Click here for more information about traveling by train in North Carolina.
 

The Carolinian Trains 79, 80

The Carolinian provides daily service between Charlotte and New York City.

Meals, snacks and beverages are available, as is Business Class and Railfone service. Checked baggage and bicycles are handled at staffed stations.

Volunteer train hosts serve daily on the Carolinian between Charlotte and Rocky Mount assisting passengers and providing information about rail passenger service and points of interest in North Carolina.

Schedules (Effective 4/25/05)

Baggage:
Limit two carry-ons per passenger. Checked baggage is available at staffed stations only; limit three checked bags per passenger, not exceeding 50 pounds each.

Bikes on Board:
Boxed bicycles are handled at staffed stations only and transported with checked baggage. Advance reservations and a $5 fee are required. Passengers traveling with bicycles should arrive at the station 30 minutes before scheduled departure.
 

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) serves the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, including cities such as Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. If you fly commercially to Rails to Raleigh you will land at RDU. The airlines listed below serve RDU. For more information, schedules and reservations click on the airline name to go to its web site or call the toll-free number listed.

Airline

Reservations Number

Air Canada

1-888-247-2262

AirTran Airways

1-800-247-8726

America West Airlines

1-800-235-9292

American Airlines

1-800-433-7300

Continental Airlines

1-800-523-3273

Delta Air Lines

1-800-221-1212

Independence Air

1-800-359-3594

Northwest Airlines

1-800-225-2525

Southwest Airlines

1-800-435-9792

United Airlines

1-800-864-8331

US Airways

1-800-428-4322

Be sure to book as early as possible to secure the best fare. Reservations made directly with the airline via its web site may have a lower fare than using the toll-free number. Also check with your travel agent, either local or online, as a travel agent may have the best deal.

The Embassy Suites Hotel is located just off Insterstate 40 at Exit 287. Turn south at the end of the exit ramp. Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From Raleigh-Durham International Airport
When exiting the airport follow directions for Interstate 40 East. Proceed to Exit 287 then turn south at the end of the exit ramp. Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From Amtrak's Cary Station
Exit Cary Station to the west. Turn right (north) onto Harrison Avenue. Proceed north on Harrison Avenue for 2.8 miles to Weston Parkway. Turn left and proceed to the first traffic light, which is Harrison Oaks Boulevard. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the left.

From Richmond, VA and Points North via I-95
Proceed south on I-95 to Petersburg, VA. At Petersburg bear right onto Interstate 85 and proceed south on Interstate 85 to exit 218 in North Carolina. Bear left onto US #1 south to Raleigh. At the Raleigh Beltline, Insterstate 440, bear right onto the outer beltline following signs for US 1 south. Proceed to the fifth exit which is Wade Avenue; signs will say "to Interstate 40 West." Follow Wade Avenue west to the merge with Insterstate 40. Exit 287 is the first exit after the merge. Take exit 287 and turn left at the end of the ramp (there are two left-turn lanes; you should be in the right left-turn lane). Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From the Norfolk Area
From Norfolk take US 58 west to intersect with Interstate 85 at South Hill, VA. Proceed south on Interstate 85 to exit 218 in North Carolina. Bear left onto US #1 south to Raleigh. At the Raleigh Beltline, Insterstate 440, bear right onto the outer beltline following signs for US 1 south. Proceed to the fifth exit which is Wade Avenue; signs will say "to Interstate 40 West." Follow Wade Avenue west to the merge with Insterstate 40. Exit 287 is the first exit after the merge. Take exit 287 and turn left at the end of the ramp (there are two left-turn lanes; you should be in the right left-turn lane). Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From South Central Virginia
Proceed to Danville, VA by the most expedient route. From Danville follow Highway 86 south to the intersection with Insterstate 40. Follow Interstate 40 east to exit 287. Turn south at the end of the exit ramp. Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From Western Virginia
Follow Interstate 77 southbound. Bear left onto Interstate 74 south, which becomes US52. Follow US52 to the intersection with Interstate 40 in Winston-Salem. Follow Insterstate 40 east. When approaching Hillsborough, NC bear right onto Interstate 40 East towards Raleigh and proceed to Exit 287. Turn south at the end of the exit ramp. Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From the Charlotte Area and Points South and West
From Charlotte follow Interstate 85 north. When approaching Hillsborough, NC bear right onto Interstate 40 East towards Raleigh and proceed to Exit 287. Turn south at the end of the exit ramp. Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From Western North Carolina
Follow Interstate 40 east to Exit 287. Turn south at the end of the exit ramp. Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From Eastern and Southern North Carolina
Proceed to Raleigh via the most expedient route, then get onto Insterstate 40 west. Proceed to Insterstate 40 exit 287. Take exit 287 and turn left at the end of the ramp (there are two left-turn lanes; you should be in the right left-turn lane). Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

From Eastern South Carolina and Southern Georgia, Florida
Proceed north on Interstate 95 to the intersection with Interstate 40. Proceed west on Interstate 40 to exit 287. Take exit 287 and turn left at the end of the ramp (there are two left-turn lanes; you should be in the right left-turn lane). Harrison Oaks Boulevard is the first street on the right south of the exit ramps. Turn right and go about 1/3 mile. The hotel is on the right.

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This page and all contents are Copyright 2004–2005 by the Carolina Piedmont Division 13, NMRA MER.
(CPD13 is a Not-For-Profit Corporation incorporated in North Carolina.)
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