Cheap train tickets from Baltimore to Charleston
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Baltimore to Charleston. Traveling by train from Baltimore to Charleston usually takes 12 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cardinal train can make the trip in 11 hours and 31 minutes.
| Distance | 278 mi (447 km) |
| Fastest train | 11h 31m |
| Lowest price | $101.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 2 |
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
Baltimore to Charleston Train Schedule
There are several train options that can take you from Baltimore to Charleston:
See more detailsPrice trends for trains from Baltimore to Charleston
Average train ticket prices from Baltimore to Charleston by travel date
Average train ticket prices from Baltimore to Charleston by month
Prices as travel date approaches
What train companies travel from Baltimore to Charleston?
There are multiple trains that travel from Baltimore to Charleston, including Amtrak, Amtrak Cardinal. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 13h 19m | $97.17 |
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 11h 31m | $92.33 |
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 31 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Baltimore to Charleston
There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Baltimore to Charleston. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Charleston to Baltimore. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Baltimore to Charleston for $94.
TRIPS PER DAY
3
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Baltimore and Charleston is approximately 278 miles, or 447 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 11 hours and 31 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)
278
DISTANCE (KM)
447
The earliest train departs Baltimore at 6:31am while the last train of the day leaves at 9:38am. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
EARLIEST TRAIN
6:31am
LATEST TRAIN
9:38am
Trains from Baltimore 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
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 does the train leave from in Baltimore?
Main departure station: Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)
There are two stations in Baltimore where you can board the train to Charleston.
All train stations in Baltimore:
- Amtrak - MARC Station (BWI)
- Penn Station - 1500 N Charles 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 Baltimore?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Baltimore
- Baltimore to Louisville Train$136+
- Baltimore to Blacksburg Train$42+
- Baltimore to Austin Train$402+
- Baltimore to Sarasota Train$264+
- Baltimore, MD to Greenville, NC Train$93+
- Baltimore to Winston-Salem Train$84+
- Baltimore to New York Train$98+
- Baltimore, MD to Jacksonville, NC Train$124+
- Baltimore to Savannah Train$132+
- Baltimore to Allentown Train$67+
- Baltimore to Hagerstown Train$83+
- Baltimore, MD to Las Vegas, NM Train$444+
- Baltimore to Hudson Train$112+
- Baltimore to Washington, DC Train$23+
- Baltimore to Utica Train$146+
- Baltimore to Philadelphia Train$50+
- Baltimore to Petersburg Train$59+
- Baltimore to Albuquerque Train$361+
Continue by train from Charleston
- Huntington to New York Train$176+
- Huntington to White Sulphur Springs Train$37+
- Martinsburg to Washington, DC Train$30+
- Charleston to Richmond Train$75+
- Martinsburg to Tampa Train$220+
- Harpers Ferry to Washington, DC Train$23+
- White Sulphur Springs to Washington, DC Train$55+
- Harpers Ferry to Orlando Train$212+
- Martinsburg, WV to Newark, NJ Train$108+
- Charleston to Orlando Train$237+
- Charleston to New York Train$111+
- Charleston to Nashville Train$143+
- Martinsburg to Chicago Train$130+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs Train$32+
- Martinsburg to New York Train$105+
- Huntington to Hinton Train$26+
- Martinsburg to Baltimore Train$48+
- Charleston to Washington, DC Train$62+
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.