Cheap train tickets from Indianapolis to Charleston
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Indianapolis to Charleston. Traveling by train from Indianapolis to Charleston usually takes 8 hours and 16 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 262 mi (421 km) |
| Fastest train | 8h 16m |
| Lowest price | $65.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Download our free app!
Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
4.8 Rating
5k Reviews
4.5 Rating
4.8k Reviews
Indianapolis to Charleston Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by train or bus from Indianapolis to Charleston?
There are usually 3 daily bus trips available from Indianapolis to Charleston.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$100.00 | Avg. Price$86.46Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips3 |
Duration | Duration8h 16mFaster | Duration9h 44m |
There are several train options that can take you from Indianapolis to Charleston:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Indianapolis to Charleston?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Indianapolis to Charleston was $65.00. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 13 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $70.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Indianapolis to Charleston by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Indianapolis to Charleston will cost between $39 and $65. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Indianapolis to Charleston by month
Ticket prices for the train from Indianapolis to Charleston often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $38. If you're thinking of traveling from Indianapolis to Charleston during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $62 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 Indianapolis to Charleston on Wanderu at least 13 days ahead of time, you can save about $70.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Indianapolis to Charleston?
There are multiple trains that travel from Indianapolis to Charleston, including Amtrak Cardinal. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 8h 16m | $100.00 |
The Amtrak Cardinal is a long distance passenger rail service from New York to Chicago, connecting a total of 31 cities. As one of Amtrak's most scenic train routes, the Cardinal is a popular train line connecting the Northeast to the Southeast, and offers top-notch comfort thanks to its seats with extra legroom, free WiFi, power outlets, and snacks available for purchase in the Cardinal Café. There are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Indianapolis to Charleston per day, with an average trip length of 8 hours and 16 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Indianapolis to Charleston
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Charleston with direct service. While there might still be stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains. You can also take a train for your return trip from Charleston to Indianapolis. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Indianapolis to Charleston for $52.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Indianapolis and Charleston is approximately 262 miles, or 421 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 8 hours and 16 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
262
DISTANCE (KM)
421
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Indianapolis at 12:15am and arrives in Charleston around 8 hours later.
EARLIEST TRAIN
12:15am
LATEST TRAIN
12:15am
Trains from Indianapolis to Charleston are the most crowded on Wednesday. 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.
MOST CROWDED
Wednesday
LEAST CROWDED
Wednesday
City Information
Indianapolis
Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.
Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.
Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from in Indianapolis?
Main departure station: 350 S Illinois St
Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.
All train stations in Indianapolis:
- 350 S Illinois St
Where does the train arrive in Charleston?
Main arrival station: 350 MacCorkle Ave SE
Charleston has one train station.
All train stations in Charleston:
- 350 MacCorkle Ave SE
Need a return trip from Charleston to Indianapolis?
Search Train Tickets
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu's simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.