Cheap train tickets from Indianapolis to Charleston

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

One way
Round trip

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:

Indianapolis to Charleston Train Schedule

Find cheap rental carsFind great deals on cheap cars in the area.

from€26.99

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Trip Summary

There is usually just one train option from Indianapolis to Charleston per day. The average train journey from Indianapolis to Charleston takes 8 hours and 16 minutes, though some trains might be a few minutes slower or faster.

	Distance	262 mi (421 km)
	Fastest train	8h 16m
	Lowest price	€41.38
	Trains per day	1
	Most frequent service	Amtrak Cardinal
	Train lines	1

Price trends for trains from Indianapolis to Charleston

Monthly avg. prices

Which train should you take from Indianapolis to Charleston?

Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Indianapolis to Charleston. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak Cardinal	1	8h 17m	€41.15

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 17 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Indianapolis to Charleston

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.

Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Indianapolis to Charleston. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Monday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Indianapolis at 12:00am and arrives in Charleston around 8 hours later.

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.

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 is the train station in Indianapolis?

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Union Station (350 S Illinois St) - INDAMT-0

Image credit: Panoramio upload bot

Link to image attribution

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 is the train station in Charleston?

Main arrival station: 350 MacCorkle Ave SE

Charleston has one train station.

All train stations in Charleston:

350 MacCorkle Ave SE

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Charleston by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

The 5 Best Train Routes for a Last-Minute Fall Foliage Adventure Read more

These Are the Best Craft Beer Cities in the U.S.Read more

All the Places You Can Visit from Your City for Less Than $20 Read more

Need a return trip from Charleston to Indianapolis?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

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.