Cheap train tickets from Philadelphia to North Charleston

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Trip Summary

There are usually 4 daily train trips available from Philadelphia to North Charleston. Travelling by train from Philadelphia to North Charleston usually takes 13 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Palmetto train can make the trip in 12 hours.

Distance: 558 mi (899 km)
Fastest train: 12h
Lowest price: NOK 897.13
Trains per day: 4
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 3

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Philadelphia to North Charleston Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Philadelphia to North Charleston?

There is usually 1 daily coach trip from Philadelphia to North Charleston.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceNOK 1,990.60	Avg. PriceNOK 1,321.81Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips4	Daily Trips1
Duration	Duration13h 40mFaster	Duration15h 59m

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Philadelphia to North Charleston (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.5

5.0

Benjamin

27 September 2025 - Business

Amtrak Palmetto

Tips: Make sure you wear pants, long sleeve shirt or hoody and bring a small blanket

There are several train options that can take you from Philadelphia to North Charleston:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Philadelphia to North Charleston?

In the last month, train tickets from Philadelphia to North Charleston cost about NOK 1,361 when booked at the cheapest time. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 23 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around NOK 2,029.50 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to North Charleston by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Philadelphia to North Charleston will cost between NOK 1,086 and NOK 3,220. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to North Charleston by month

Ticket prices for the train from Philadelphia to North Charleston often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only NOK 1,587. If you're thinking of travelling from Philadelphia to North Charleston during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 2,361 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Philadelphia to North Charleston on Wanderu at least 23 days ahead of time, you can save about NOK 2,029.50 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Philadelphia to North Charleston?

There are 3 train lines with service from Philadelphia to North Charleston. Amtrak is your best bet, with 2 scheduled trains per day.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	13h 47m	NOK 2,163.96
Amtrak Palmetto	1	14h 39m	NOK 1,465.77
Amtrak Silver Service	1	12h 34m	NOK 2,133.46

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from Philadelphia to North Charleston every day, as well as 2 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from NOK 859.36.
The Palmetto is an Amtrak train service that runs a total of 829 miles from New York City to Savannah, GA, connecting 20 cities from the Northeast to the Southeast along the way. Travelling from Philadelphia to North Charleston is comfortable and relaxing on the Palmetto, thanks to the train’s free WiFi, power sockets, and seating with extra legroom. You can pick from 1 daily departure along this route, with train ticket pricing at an average of NOK 1,465.77 on the Palmetto.
The Silver Service is an Amtrak train line that runs from New York City to Miami, connecting the largest cities in the Mid-Atlantic region with key destinations in the South and many places across the Sunshine State. Two trains, the Silver Meteor and Silver Star, collectively comprise the Silver Service. The trains come equipped with a variety of sleeper cars that travellers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power sockets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Philadelphia to North Charleston start from NOK 1,520.40 and the average train journey lasts about 12 hours and 34 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Philadelphia to North Charleston

There are 4 scheduled trains on most days. Of these, 2 are direct connections to North Charleston. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice. You can also take a train for your return trip from North Charleston to Philadelphia. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Philadelphia to North Charleston for NOK 916.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Philadelphia and North Charleston is approximately 558 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 13 hours and 40 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

558

Distance (km)

899

The earliest train departs Philadelphia at 6:24 while the last train of the day leaves at 16:15. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

6:24am

Last train

4:15pm

Trains from Philadelphia to North Charleston are the most crowded on Monday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Saturday

City Information

Philadelphia

We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?

Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.

Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.

North Charleston

North Charleston is a promising travel destination with quirky landmarks and fun activities for all travellers. To explore the city’s rich history, the H.L. Hunley Museum offers everything you need. Featuring the first successful combat submarine in the world as well as other Civil War-era relics, the museum will keep you enthralled for a whole morning. Other notable museums include the Greater Charleston Naval Memorial as well as the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. For fans of cultural activities, don’t pass up the chance to enjoy an event at the North Charleston Coliseum, which is one of the largest venues in South Carolina. If you enjoy staying away from a crowd and exploring nature, a walk around Riverfront Park will be what you need.

Though North Charleston might not feature a lively food scene like Charleston does, the city’s staples will still satisfy hungry travellers. Nigel’s Good Food is a local favourite and a good place to start your food tour. Chill-N-Grill is a great spot to grab some fresh seafood.

The city’s transport centre is located on Gaynor Ave. Travellers can catch Southeastern Stages coaches here. Travellers can also catch Amtrak trains passing through the city at this station. North Charleston is served by Amtrak’s Palmetto and Silver Meteor lines. The main airport is the Charleston International Airport.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Philadelphia?

Main departure station: 30th St Station - 2955 Market St

There is one train station in Philadelphia.

All train stations in Philadelphia:

30th St Station - 2955 Market St

Where is the train station in North Charleston?

Main arrival station: 4565 Gaynor Ave

The Amtrak Station in North Charleston is an intermodal transport hub offering both intercity coach services and train services for travellers into and out of the Charleston area. The station opened in 2018 and offers modern amenities like charging ports along with vending machines and toilets. Amtrak’s Palmetto service from Savannah to New York and Silver Meteor service from Miami to New York both stop in North Charleston. Southeastern Stages provides coach service from this station to destinations throughout the South.

Train stations in North Charleston:

4565 Gaynor Ave

Need a return trip from North Charleston to Philadelphia?

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