Trains, Ferries, Air and Public Transportation
Trains
Two Amtrak routes between New York and Florida are available through North Carolina’s eastern and Piedmont (central) regions. Twelve daily Amtrak passenger trains serve 16 North Carolina cities on six routes including the northbound and southbound Carolinian, Piedmont, Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Crescent and Palmetto.
The Carolinian and Piedmont are operated jointly by the State of North Carolina and Amtrak to provide daily, round-trip passenger rail service between the capital city, Raleigh, and the state’s largest city, Charlotte. The Carolinian continues service to the Northeast.
Additional information available at: www.amtrak.com or 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
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: April 4, 2011
