West Virginia, with its majestic mountains, historic rivers, and charming small towns, offers a truly unique backdrop for rail travel. While not as extensively covered as some states, Amtrak’s iconic Cardinal route slices through the heart of the Mountain State, offering passengers a scenic journey like no other.
If you’re planning a trip to or through West Virginia and considering the train, this comprehensive guide covers all Amtrak stations in the state, complete with essential information, nearby attractions, and crucial driving distances to key cities and airports.
The Amtrak Cardinal: Your Gateway to West Virginia
The Cardinal is the sole Amtrak route serving West Virginia. This historic train runs three times a week in each direction (eastbound and westbound), connecting Chicago with Washington D.C. and New York City. Along its journey, it makes 11 stops in West Virginia, offering passengers breathtaking views of the New River Gorge, the mighty Appalachians, and picturesque river valleys.
The Cardinal is known for its scenic observation car, comfortable seating, and a unique dining experience, making the journey part of the adventure.
Amtrak Stations in West Virginia: A Detailed Look
Here’s a station-by-station breakdown, ordered roughly from east to west:
1. Harpers Ferry (HFY)
Location: Nestled at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in the historic Eastern Panhandle.
Vibe: A small, incredibly historic town, famous for John Brown’s Raid and as a major Civil War site.
Nearby Attractions: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Appalachian Trail, C&O Canal Towpath, historic downtown shops and museums.
Connections: This station is popular for those connecting to the MARC commuter rail service to Washington D.C.
Station Amenities: Basic shelter, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Washington D.C. (Union Station)
65
1 hr 20 min
Baltimore, MD (Inner Harbor)
75
1 hr 30 min
Charleston, WV
250
4 hr 30 min
Martinsburg, WV
20
30 min
Leesburg, VA
20
30 min
Airports:
Dulles Int’l (IAD)
45
1 hr
Reagan Nat’l (DCA)
70
1 hr 30 min
2. Martinsburg (MRB)
Location: The largest city in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.
Vibe: A bustling small city with a rich railroad history and a vibrant downtown.
Nearby Attractions: Triple Brick Building (railroad history), Belle Boyd House, local breweries, historic buildings.
Connections: Also served by MARC commuter rail, making it a convenient hub for travel to D.C.
Station Amenities: Restored historic station building, waiting room, restrooms, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Washington D.C. (Union Station)
70
1 hr 30 min
Baltimore, MD (Inner Harbor)
80
1 hr 40 min
Charleston, WV
230
4 hr 15 min
Harpers Ferry, WV
20
30 min
Charles Town, WV
15
25 min
Winchester, VA
20
30 min
Airports:
Dulles Int’l (IAD)
55
1 hr 10 min
Reagan Nat’l (DCA)
75
1 hr 40 min
3. Alderson (ALD)
Location: A charming small town in the Greenbrier Valley, straddling the Greenbrier River.
Vibe: Rural, peaceful, known for its historic bridge and the Federal Prison Camp for women.
Nearby Attractions: Greenbrier River, fishing, kayaking, Historic Alderson Bridge, proximity to the Greenbrier River Trail.
Station Amenities: Basic shelter, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
85
1 hr 30 min
Lewisburg, WV
15
20 min
White Sulphur Springs, WV
25
30 min
Beckley, WV
50
1 hr
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
80
1 hr 30 min
Roanoke, VA (ROA)
90
1 hr 45 min
4. White Sulphur Springs (WSS)
Location: An elegant resort town in southeastern West Virginia.
Vibe: Upscale, historic, famous for its grand resort.
Nearby Attractions: The Greenbrier Resort (historic tours, golf, spa), Monongahela National Forest, outdoor recreation.
Station Amenities: Small historic station building, seating, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
95
1 hr 45 min
Lewisburg, WV
10
15 min
Alderson, WV
25
30 min
Beckley, WV
60
1 hr 15 min
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
90
1 hr 40 min
Roanoke, VA (ROA)
80
1 hr 30 min
5. Hinton (HIN)
Location: A historic railroad town at the confluence of the New River, Greenbrier River, and Bluestone River.
Vibe: A charming, somewhat sleepy town with a rich past, especially as a C&O Railway hub.
Nearby Attractions: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (Sandstone Falls), Bluestone State Park, Bluestone Lake, Hinton Railroad Museum.
Station Amenities: Restored historic station building, waiting room, restrooms, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
80
1 hr 40 min
Beckley, WV
30
45 min
Lewisburg, WV
50
1 hr
Princeton, WV
40
50 min
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
80
1 hr 40 min
Raleigh County Memorial (BKW)
35
45 min
6. Prince (PRN)
Location: A tiny, almost ghost-like community deep within the New River Gorge.
Vibe: Remote, incredibly scenic, known for its unique Art Moderne style train station. This is a very rustic stop.
Nearby Attractions: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (Grandview, Sandstone Falls, Glade Creek), white water rafting access.
Station Amenities: Unstaffed historic station building, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
65
1 hr 20 min
Beckley, WV
15
20 min
Fayetteville, WV
30
40 min
Hinton, WV
20
30 min
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
65
1 hr 20 min
Raleigh County Memorial (BKW)
15
20 min
7. Thurmond (THN)
Location: A famous “ghost town” located deep in the New River Gorge.
Vibe: Historic, untouched, a true step back in time. This is a flag stop, meaning the train will only stop if a reservation is made to board or alight.
Nearby Attractions: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (Thurmond Depot and Visitor Center), river overlooks, hiking, white water rafting.
Station Amenities: Unstaffed historic station building (museum), platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
70
1 hr 30 min
Fayetteville, WV
20
30 min
Oak Hill, WV
25
35 min
Beckley, WV
35
50 min
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
70
1 hr 30 min
Raleigh County Memorial (BKW)
35
50 min
8. Montgomery (MNG)
Location: A small town in the Upper Kanawha Valley.
Vibe: A former coal and rail hub, home to West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech).
Nearby Attractions: WVU Tech campus, Kanawha River, local dining.
Station Amenities: Basic shelter, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
25
30 min
Beckley, WV
45
50 min
Fayetteville, WV
30
40 min
Summersville, WV
40
50 min
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
20
25 min
9. Charleston (CHW)
Location: The capital and largest city in West Virginia.
Vibe: A vibrant city with a mix of government, business, and culture.
Nearby Attractions: West Virginia State Capitol Building, Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences, Capitol Market, downtown shopping and dining.
Station Amenities: Small historic station building (unstaffed), waiting area, platform. Just outside downtown.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Columbus, OH
165
2 hr 45 min
Pittsburgh, PA
200
3 hr 30 min
Lexington, KY
150
2 hr 30 min
Huntington, WV
50
50 min
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
5
10 min
Huntington Tri-State (HTS)
60
1 hr
10. St. Albans (SAB)
Location: A suburban city just west of Charleston, on the Kanawha River.
Vibe: Residential, community-focused, a quiet alternative to Charleston.
Nearby Attractions: Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, local parks, proximity to Charleston attractions.
Station Amenities: Basic shelter, platform.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
15
20 min
Huntington, WV
40
45 min
Teays Valley, WV
10
15 min
Airports:
Yeager Airport (CRW)
20
25 min
Huntington Tri-State (HTS)
45
50 min
11. Huntington (HUN)
Location: The second-largest city in West Virginia, on the Ohio River border.
Vibe: A college town (Marshall University) with a strong industrial and railroad heritage, and a revitalized downtown.
Nearby Attractions: Marshall University, Ritter Park, Heritage Farm Museum & Village, Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Station Amenities: Restored historic station building, waiting room, restrooms, platform.
Connections: A major hub for the western part of the state, with good bus/taxi connections.
Destination (Driving Distance)
Distance (Miles)
Approx. Drive Time
Charleston, WV
50
50 min
Ashland, KY
15
20 min
Cincinnati, OH
110
2 hr
Columbus, OH
135
2 hr 15 min
Airports:
Huntington Tri-State (HTS)
13
20 min
Yeager Airport (CRW)
60
1 hr
Tips for Traveling Amtrak in West Virginia
Book in Advance: Especially for rooms and popular dates, the Cardinal runs only three times a week, so seats can fill up.
Check Schedules: Always verify arrival and departure times on Amtrak’s website, as they can change.
Enjoy the Scenery: The Cardinal’s route through West Virginia is incredibly picturesque. Don’t forget your camera!
Food Onboard: There’s a dining car and cafe car on the Cardinal.
Luggage: Check Amtrak’s luggage policies for limits and carry-on rules.
Thurmond is a Flag Stop: If you plan to board or alight at Thurmond, you must have a reservation for that stop. The train will not stop otherwise.
Ground Transportation: Many smaller stations may not have readily available taxis or ride-shares. Plan your onward transportation in advance, especially for evening arrivals.
Embarking on an Amtrak journey through West Virginia is an invitation to slow down, soak in the stunning landscapes, and connect with the heart of the Mountain State. Whether you’re chasing history in Harpers Ferry or exploring the wild beauty of the New River Gorge, the Cardinal offers a truly memorable travel experience. All aboard!
