Trains, Ferries, Air and Public Transportation
Trains
Amtrak service to North Carolina is your gateway to your getaway with twelve daily Amtrak passenger trains serving twenty five North Carolina cities. These trains offer daily direct service from New York, New Orleans, Florida, Georgia and points in-between with connections from more than 500 destinations in 46 states; it is now easy to take Amtrak to your favorite North Carolina destination.
For travel within the state of North Carolina the Piedmont Service is for travelers who want to explore the many wonders of North Carolina. There are two round-trips daily between Charlotte and Raleigh; with stops in Kannapolis, Salisbury, Greensboro, High Point, Durham, Burlington and Cary.
You can now travel to the Eastern North Carolina Coast with our connecting NC Thruway Services; one from Greenville to Morehead City, with stops in New Bern and Havelock, and another from Goldsboro to Wilmington with stops in Kinston and Jacksonville. The NC Thruway Service gives more options to explore North Carolina.
You can plan your trip to North Carolina and purchase tickets online at www.amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL (872-7245). Enjoy your journey on Amtrak.
Ferries
Since the mid-1920s, ferries have connected the coastal communities of Eastern North Carolina. Ferries are a fun way – and sometimes the only way – to get around on NC’s coast. Ferries can accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles and any size car or RV that operates on the highway. Special permits are required for vehicles over 65 feet. Although all routes operate year-round, they are subject to change with weather conditions.
Eight ferry routes operate along the North Carolina coast, linking:
- Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach
- Cedar Island – Ocracoke
- Southport – Fort Fisher
- Currituck – Knotts Island
- Ocracoke – Swan Quarter
- Currituck – Corolla
- Aurora – Bayview
- Ocracoke – Hatteras Island
Additional information available at: www.ncferry.org or 1-800-BY-FERRY (1-800-293-3779)
Download a ferry schedule. Enjoy a gallery of ferry images.
Air Transportation
North Carolina has 74 publicly owned airports and nearly 300 privately owned. Ten airports have regularly scheduled commercial airline service and three major international airports serve the state, also offering nonstop service from Canada and Europe.
Airports with Scheduled Passenger Service |
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| Pitt-Greenville Airport | Greenville | www.answers.com/topic/pitt-greenville-airport |
| Craven Regional Airport | New Bern | www.newbernairport.com |
| Albert J. Ellis Airport | Jacksonville | www.co.onslow.nc.us/airport |
| Wilmington International Airport | Wilmington | www.flyilm.com |
| Piedmont-Triad International Airport | Greensboro | www.flyfrompti.com |
| Raleigh-Durham International Airport | between Raleigh & Durham | www.rdu.com |
| Charlotte-Douglas International Airport | Charlotte | www.charmeck.org/Departments/Airport/ |
| Fayetteville Regional Airport | Fayetteville | www.flyfay.com |
| Asheville Regional Airport | Asheville | www.flyavl.com |
Overview map of North Carolina airports: www.ncdot.gov/travel/airports/ |
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Airlines |
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| Air Canada | www.aircanada.com | 1-888-247-2262 |
| American Airlines | www.aa.com | 1-800-433-7300 |
| Continental Airlines | www.continental.com | 1-800-523-FARE (1-800-523-3273) |
| Delta Airlines | www.delta.com | 1-800-221-1212 |
| Jet Blue Airways | www.jetblue.com | 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) |
| Lufthansa | www.lufthansa.com | 1-800-645-3880 |
| Northwest Airlines | www.nwa.com | 1-800-225-2525 |
| Southwest Airlines | www.southwest.com | 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) |
| United Airlines | www.united.com | 1-800-United-1 (1-800-864-8331) |
| US Airways | www.usairways.com | 1-800-428-4322 |
Public Transportation
Visitors to North Carolina can travel to and within the state using public transportation. All 100 counties are served by some form of public transportation, ranging from seasonal bus routes in mountain communities serving visitors, to urban public transit in major cities, light rail in Charlotte and intercity bus operated by Greyhound and Coach America, which connects communities to the national intercity bus network. For more information on North Carolina public transportation, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit and under “Statewide Local Transit Information” choose your city or county.
added: December 18, 2008
updated: February 28, 2013
