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Washington DC to North Charleston train

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4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

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Washington DC to North Charleston Train Schedule

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Trip Summary

There are usually 2 daily train trips available from Washington DC to North Charleston. Traveling by train from Washington DC to North Charleston usually takes 9 hours and 30 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Silver Service train can make the trip in 9 hours and 24 minutes.

Distance449 mi (723 km)
Fastest train9h 24m
Lowest price$71.00
Trains per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Palmetto
Train lines3

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Washington to North Charleston

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.7

4.0

Melania

May 4, 2024- Solo travel

Amtrak Palmetto

Pros: Very spacious. Cons: It was freezing, maybe a screen with movies.

4.0

Margsret

April 18, 2024

Amtrak Palmetto

Bathrooms cleaner, train delayed and took a long time at each stop. And stopped several times for other trains to pass

5.0

Anthony

March 4, 2024- Business

Amtrak Palmetto

Pros: Amtrak it professional and nice I almost got left but it was entirely my fault 😂 the crew going and coming was great 👍❤️‍🩹. Cons: They had a train people played cards on and talked and just got to know each other, bring that back. Tips: TAKE AMTRAK THE BEST WAY TO GO 😂❤️‍🩹.

5.0

Rosemary

October 25, 2023- Visiting family

Amtrak Palmetto

Pros: Relaxing atmosphere with staff who were respectful and cheerful, plus very caring. Thank you to all. Cons: Can’t think of one. Tips: Best way to travel.

5.0

Nils

September 26, 2019- Vacation

Amtrak Palmetto

Pros: seats, a lot of space. Cons: Information about delay.

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

Over the past month, a train ticket between Washington and North Charleston cost $110.10, on average. Since this route covers a considerable distance, tickets are typically a bit pricier than most train fares. Booking your trip at least 28 days in advance can help you secure tickets at the best price. For same-day bookings, you’ll likely have to pay around $53.56 more.

Average prices by travel date

$135$90$45SepOct

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Washington DC to North Charleston will cost between $105 and $135. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Monthly average prices

$150$120$90$60$30NDJFMAMJJASO
Ticket prices for the train from Washington DC to North Charleston often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only $96. If you're thinking of traveling from Washington DC to North Charleston during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $138 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

$200$160$120$80$403020100

If you're looking to save on your train trip from Washington to North Charleston, book online with Wanderu at least 28 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $53.56 compared to booking your ticket last minute.

Which train should you take from Washington DC to North Charleston?

There are 3 train lines with service from Washington to North Charleston. There is only one daily train on each service.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak11d 10h 4m$366.67
Amtrak Palmetto19h 31m$95.97
Amtrak Silver Service19h 25m$159.13

  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Washington to North Charleston every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $359.

  • 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. Traveling from Washington to North Charleston is comfortable and relaxing on the Palmetto, thanks to the train’s free WiFi, power outlets, and seating with extra legroom. You can pick from 1 daily departures along this route, with train ticket pricing at an average of 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 travelers taking an overnight train can choose from, as well as a variety of amenities like free WiFi, power outlets, and a café car. One-way train tickets for the Silver Service from Washington to North Charleston start from $131 and the average train journey lasts about 9 hours and 25 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The distance between Washington DC and North Charleston is approximately 449 miles, or 723 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 30 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 9 hours and 24 minutes.

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 spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Trains from Washington DC to North Charleston are the most crowded on Saturday. 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 traveling on Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Washington DC at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

Trains leave the station in Washington DC twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. Luckily, both trains will get you to North Charleston with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to get off or switch trains.

You can also take a train for your return trip from North Charleston to Washington DC.

City Information

Washington DC

Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.

D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.

Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.

North Charleston

North Charleston, SC

Image credit: Mobilus In Mobili

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North Charleston, SC

Image credit: Warren LeMay

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North Charleston, SC

Image credit: North Charleston

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North Charleston is a promising travel destination with quirky landmarks and fun activities for all travelers. 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 travelers. Nigel’s Good Food is a local favorite and a good place to start your food tour. Chill-N-Grill is a great spot to grab some fresh seafood.

The city’s transportation center is located on Gaynor Ave. Travelers can catch Southeastern Stages buses here. Travelers 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 Washington DC?

Washington, DC - Union Station - DCAUST-0

Main departure station: Union Station

Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.

All train stations in Washington DC:

  • Union Station

  • 5 Great Western St

  • 200 Cross Ave

  • 99 Ontario St

Where is the train station in North Charleston?

Main arrival station: 4565 Gaynor Ave

The Amtrak Station in North Charleston is an intermodal transportation hub offering both intercity bus services and train services for travelers into and out of the Charleston area. The station opened in 2018 and offers modern amenities like charging ports along with vending machines and restrooms. 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 bus service from this station to destinations throughout the South.

All train stations in North Charleston:

  • 4565 Gaynor Ave

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