Christmas Eve in Fayetteville

[deker0]

Thanks, I appreciate the info. I just took a look at the schedules.


So, they do have a Charlotte to Raleigh train departing at either 10:30 AM or 3:15 PM. Those will arrive in Raleigh at either 1:41 PM or 6:26 PM.


The train from Raleigh to Savannah is at 9:01 PM and arriving in Savannah at 4:13 AM. So, not exactly an ideal time to arrive....hotel check-in wouldn't be for another 8 hours or so. And I'd use up two out of eight trips on my pass for that journey.



But, it's definitely an option worth thinking about.

Originally Posted by poppydog

If you've got that Amtrak pass, you could go visit your cousin in Charlotte and then come back to Raleigh or Durham and then travel to Savannah from there. I think that is all doable on Amtrak. The train between Charlotte and Raleigh and Durham is the Carolinian Piedmont (https://www.amtrak.com/carolinian-piedmont-train) and then in Raleigh you could get the Silver Star/Meteor (https://www.amtrak.com/routes/silver...tto-train.html). Might take a bit longer, but would let you use your pass.

[deker0]

Thanks BC1960. I think Midwood looks pretty good and I read some reviews. That might be the best bet.


I need to ask on the Savannah forum for some spots in that city. May be more of a strong point out there compared to Charlotte.

Originally Posted by BC1960

BBQ isn't a Charlotte strong point, unfortunately. Midwood Smokehouse is good, as is Queen City Q. Mac's Speed Shop is ok. Avoid Bill Spoon's.

[poppydog]

You could leave for Savannah from Smithfield-Selma. It's just a little ways from Raleigh. You could either get the early early train from Charlotte (6:45am, arrive in Selma at 10:48am) or take a later train from Charlotte to Raleigh and just get an Uber or Lyft or maybe a bus over to Selma. It's about 30 min from Raleigh, so not that far. You can take a 3:14pm train from Smithfield-Selma and arrive in Savannah at 9:04pm.

Not sure if it's worth it, or if they Greyhound might be better, but just thought I'd throw it out there as an option.

[deker0]

Thanks, really appreciate all of the help and suggestions.

I thought about my plans and I decided I wanted more time with my cousins, so I cut short my time in Savannah.

As it stands now, I'll spend the 23rd and 24th in Charlotte, arrive to Savannah on the afternoon of the 25th via bus, and then the next day, continue on Amtrak heading to Florida.

The Charlotte -> Raleigh -> Selma -> Savannah route actually looked good, but since I cut short my time in Savannah, I want to try and get enough time throughout the afternoon and evening to explore the city a bit.

I also wanted to conserve some of my rail pass trips, so when I am back in the Northeast, I can use the train to visit some family further up north.

Thanks again for all of the help!

Originally Posted by poppydog

You could leave for Savannah from Smithfield-Selma. It's just a little ways from Raleigh. You could either get the early early train from Charlotte (6:45am, arrive in Selma at 10:48am) or take a later train from Charlotte to Raleigh and just get an Uber or Lyft or maybe a bus over to Selma. It's about 30 min from Raleigh, so not that far. You can take a 3:14pm train from Smithfield-Selma and arrive in Savannah at 9:04pm.

Not sure if it's worth it, or if they Greyhound might be better, but just thought I'd throw it out there as an option.