Cheap train tickets from Cincinnati to Charleston
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Cincinnati to Charleston. Traveling by train from Cincinnati to Charleston usually takes 4 hours and 54 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 164 mi (263 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 54m |
| Lowest price | $37.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
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Cincinnati to Charleston Train Schedule
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Average score for trains from Cincinnati to Charleston (Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from Cincinnati to Charleston:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Cincinnati to Charleston?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Cincinnati to Charleston was $37.00. Compared to most train fares, this is an excellent price. 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 $37.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Cincinnati to Charleston by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Cincinnati to Charleston will cost between $29 and $33. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Cincinnati to Charleston by month
Ticket prices for the train from Cincinnati to Charleston often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in October when the average ticket price is only $32. If you're thinking of traveling from Cincinnati to Charleston during February, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $43 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in February, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Cincinnati to Charleston on Wanderu at least 13 days ahead of time, you can save about $37.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Cincinnati to Charleston?
Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Cincinnati 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 | 4h 54m | $61.67 |
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 Cincinnati to Charleston per day, with an average trip length of 4 hours and 54 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Cincinnati to Charleston for $53.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
1
The distance between Cincinnati and Charleston is approximately 164 miles, or 263 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 54 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)
164
Distance (km)
263
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Cincinnati at 3:37am and arrives in Charleston around 4 hours later.
First train
3:37am
Last train
3:37am
Trains from Cincinnati to Charleston are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Sunday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Cincinnati
A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquility and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.
Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favorites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.
There’s not a central bus station in the city, as each of the different bus carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Cincinnati?
Main departure station: Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
Cincinnati’s Union Terminal is a living museum and train station with service operated by Amtrak. The art deco train station opened in 1933 and is now part of the Cincinnati Museum Center. Visitors can ogle dinosaur skeletons in the Museum of Natural History and travel back in time to an old-fashioned city street in the Cincinnati History Museum. To serve the 1.4 million annual visitors to these museums, the center offers a coat check, gift shops, and three dining rooms where travelers can stop in for ice cream or a draft beer before boarding their train. Amtrak’s Cardinal line runs through Union Terminal on its route from Chicago to New York, and travelers can travel to other cities along this line, such as Toledo and Cleveland.
All train stations in Cincinnati:
- Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
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
Need a return trip from Charleston to Cincinnati?
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Continue by train from Charleston
- Charleston to Richmond Train$75+
- Charleston to Nashville Train$144+
- Charleston to New York Train$111+
- Huntington to New York Train$176+
- Charleston to Atlanta Train$897+
- Harpers Ferry to Rockville Train$23+
- White Sulphur Springs to Washington, DC Train$55+
- Harpers Ferry to Raleigh Train$74+
- Martinsburg to Tampa Train$220+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs Train$32+
- Charleston to Chicago Train$169+
- Charleston to Orlando Train$237+
- Martinsburg to Washington, DC Train$28+
- Huntington to Hinton Train$26+
- Harpers Ferry to Chicago Train$131+
- Harpers Ferry to Washington, DC Train$23+
- Harpers Ferry to Orlando Train$192+
- Charleston to Washington, DC Train$62+
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