Cheap train tickets from Baltimore to Charleston
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Baltimore to Charleston Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Baltimore to Charleston?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Baltimore to Charleston.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$95.17 | Avg. Price$129.86 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration18h 15m | Duration12h 37m |
Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Baltimore to Charleston. The train trip from Baltimore to Charleston is usually about 11 hours and 36 minutes long. However, be prepared just in case your train arrives slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 278 mi (447 km) |
| Fastest train | 11h 36m |
| Lowest price | $393.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Baltimore to Charleston
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Baltimore to Charleston?
Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Baltimore 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 | 11h 36m | $393.00 |
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 Baltimore to Charleston per day, with an average trip length of 11 hours and 36 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Baltimore to Charleston
The distance between Baltimore and Charleston is approximately 278 miles, or 447 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 36 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.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Baltimore to Charleston on Monday. Tickets for Monday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Monday. Monday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Baltimore at 9:00am and arrives in Charleston around 11 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 Baltimore.
City Information
Baltimore
Baltimore is a seaport in Maryland best known for its crab cakes and baseball legend, Babe Ruth. As there is plenty to see in Charm City, you'll be singing "Good Morning, Baltimore'' as soon as you experience all of the sights and activities this quirky town has to offer.
Some of Baltimore's most impressive attractions are centered in and around Inner Harbor. This scenic waterfront is filled with historic ships, dating as far back as the Civil War in the case of the USS Constellation. Alongside shops and restaurants, Inner Harbor also hosts the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and several entertainment venues where you can catch live music. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of the harbor from atop Federal Hill Park, or if you prefer the view that inspired "The Star Spangled Banner," head out to Fort McHenry, known for its role in the War of 1812.
Baltimore is one of the stops on Wanderu's recommended East Coast wine tour, but don't worry about racking up a hefty tab; luckily, Baltimore is also one of the cheapest drinking cities in the U.S., with the cheapest bottle of beer going for just $1.42. Enjoy your wine or beer along the Avenue in Hampden, a neighborhood known for its hipster bars, restaurants, and boutiques.
Ready to plan your Baltimore adventure? Numerous bus and train options make Baltimore affordably accessible by ground transportation, and Baltimore-Washington International Airport not only offers hundreds of daily flights, it also is one of the best airports for food in the U.S.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Baltimore?
Image credit: Irteagle102704
Main departure station: Penn Station - 1500 N Charles St
Pennsylvania Station, commonly referred to as just Penn Station, is the main train station in Baltimore. Owned and operated by Amtrak, the station serves as a regional hub for all of the train carrier’s nine services that pass through Baltimore, including the Acela, the Northeast Regional, the Crescent, and the Palmetto. Conveniently located near Baltimore’s downtown and Inner Harbor, Penn Station is accessible from all parts of the city via several transit bus lines and two commuter rail services. The Johns Hopkins and Baltimore Collegetown shuttles also serve Penn Station, allowing students to travel easily between the train station and campus.
All train stations in Baltimore:
Penn Station - 1500 N Charles 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
Need a return trip from Charleston to Baltimore?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Baltimore
- Train from Baltimore to Washington D.C.
$10+
- Train from Baltimore to Sarasota
$254+
- Train from Baltimore to Savannah
$147+
- Train from Baltimore to Louisville
$223+
- Train from Baltimore to Hagerstown
$103+
- Baltimore to Greenville Train
$126+
- Train from Baltimore to Jacksonville
$142+
- Train from Baltimore to Winston-Salem
$137+
- Train from Baltimore to Albuquerque
$652+
Continue by train from Charleston
- Train from Charleston to Washington D.C.
$209+
- Train from Charleston to Orlando
$307+
- Train from Charleston to New York
$253+
- Train from Charleston to Nashville
$191+
- Charleston to Richmond Train
$155+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs Train
$65+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to Washington D.C.
$29+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to Orlando
$350+
- Train from Huntington to New York
$183+
- Train from Huntington to Hinton
$28+
- Train from Huntington to White Sulphur Springs
$35+
- Train from Martinsburg to Washington D.C.
$36+
- Martinsburg to Tampa Train
$293+
- Martinsburg to Chicago Train
$167+
- Martinsburg to Baltimore Train
$56+
- Martinsburg to Newark Train
$199+
- Train from Martinsburg to New York
$195+
- Train from White Sulphur Springs to Washington D.C.
$111+
Check out these popular routes
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.