Train Travel To And From Staunton 

Wouldn’t it be cool to hop on a train and travel to Staunton without having to drive or navigate traffic? Turns out, you can! Once you arrive to the historic Staunton train station, you can walk to your lodgings, entertainment, and dining. Or, if you live here, lean back in a comfortable seat to sightsee, read, dine, and even nap while traveling to New York for a Broadway musical, D.C. to tour the Smithsonian, or to a baseball game in Chicago. Staunton is located in the middle of Amtrak’s Cardinal long-distance passenger train route, which stretches 1,146 miles. The route connects New York’s Penn Station to Chicago’s Union Station with stops at 32 points of interest like Philadelphia, Charleston, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis in between. Here’s how to ride the rails.

It’s not a quick journey — the point-to-point trip takes a total of 28 ¼ hours, but it is incredibly scenic, especially in parts of Virginia and West Virginia. A ride east travels through beautiful farmland, and the western route crosses the Alleghenny Mountains and passes through New River Gorge National Park. Trips are timed so that they reach the park in daylight year-round. This is an extremely popular spot during leaf-peeping season. 

How Do I Ride?

The Cardinal offers three round trips each week. It heads west from New York on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday. It departs from Chicago and goes east on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It’s an unmanned station, so you’ll need to arrange your travel online. Once you catch the train, you’ll enjoy comfortable, hassle-free travel with wifi, a lounge car, and incredible views. You can even bring your small dog or cat on trips that last fewer than seven hours!

The Role of the Railroad in Staunton’s History

Staunton’s Wharf Historic District is now one of the busiest and most vibrant neighborhoods in town, but before the Virginia Central Railroad arrived in 1854, the area was a peaceful meadow. At this time, the only way to travel up and down the Valley was on horseback or stagecoach along the Valley Pike (today’s Route 11). And it was even more difficult to cross the mountains to the east or west. The Virginia Central Railroad made Staunton a hub for commerce and travel. Warehouses and hotels sprang up near the station to store freight and serve customers. The district also bustled with liveries, restaurants, saloons, and even brothels. Multiple disasters like floods and fires reduced many structures to rubble, but it was rebuilt time and time again. It’s now home to a wealth of independently owned businesses and restaurants.

You can’t miss the Bungalow-style C&O Train Station (1902) across from the warehouses. This station is actually the third on the site. The first was strategically destroyed during the Civil War and the second was demolished by a runaway train in 1890. Some say the site is still haunted by those who perished.

Formed in 1971, Amtrack pieced together the Cardinal line from several different trains and routes. Amtrack named Cardinal in 1977 after six states along its route (including Virginia) that honored the cardinal as their state bird.

What Should I do Near the Railroad Station?

• If you’re coming to Staunton for the weekend, stick to the tracks with a stay at Gibson’s Warehouse, a four-suite loft lodging in a warehouse built in 1905. Originally used to store hay, fertilizer, and farm equipment, the building is now the epitome of comfort and industrial cool, central to dining, shopping, and entertainment. 

• Have a craft beer at Redbeard Brewing Company, which hosts entertainment like live music, trivia, and karaoke. The Ox-Eye Vineyards Tasting Room and Ramulose Ridge Vineyards serve estate-grown, food-friendly wines, and Ciders from Mars presses locally-grown apples for its hard cider.
• While most of Staunton is easily walkable, restaurants closest to the train station are plentiful. They include Byers Street Bistro, which serves drinks, appetizers, and mains like sandwiches and burgers. Locals and tourists alike rave over the comforting and kid-friendly food at the Depot Grille, and the Mill Street Grill is known for steak, ribs, seafood, and pasta. Taste of India serves authentic Indian food at good prices. 

• Here on a Saturday? Don’t miss the Staunton Farmers’ Market for fresh produce, baked goods, and a chance to enjoy the Staunton community.

Other Train Adventures

Virginia travelors can take advantage of Virginia by Rail-designed experiences. Virginia by Rail connects six different regions of Virginia, helps travelers get there, and identifies the best sites and events in each area. Connected cities include Norfolk, Richmond, Lynchburg, and D.C.

You can also reserve your ticket for an excursion on the Virginia Scenic Railway, which offers a choice of picturesque day trips that set out from and return to Staunton. These trips include meal service and enchanting views. Don’t forget to take advantage of Stay, Ride, Relax packages with The Blackburn Inn.

If you have kids (or you’re a kid at heart) Gypsy Hill Park’s Gypsy Hill Express Mini-Train is an iconic Staunton attraction. The rides cost just a dollar! And finally, if you’re in town for the September Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival, make sure to meet the train at Station 11 ¾ to greet some of your favorite wizards and friends. 

Staunton is an incredible city that’s easy and fun to travel to and from by train. Reserve your tickets today.