Cheap train tickets from Philadelphia 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:
Philadelphia to Charleston Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Philadelphia to Charleston?
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Philadelphia to Charleston.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceHRK 815.99 | Avg. PriceHRK 739.34 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration22h 48m | Duration12h 52m |
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Philadelphia to Charleston. Traveling by train from Philadelphia to Charleston usually takes 12 hours and 43 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cardinal train can make the trip in 12 hours and 8 minutes.
| Distance | 364 mi (585 km) |
| Fastest train | 12h 8m |
| Lowest price | HRK 556.08 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Philadelphia to Charleston
Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to Charleston by month
Which train should you take from Philadelphia to Charleston?
Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Philadelphia 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 | 12h 44m | HRK 1,071.34 |
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 Philadelphia to Charleston per day, with an average trip length of 12 hours and 44 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Philadelphia to Charleston
The distance between Philadelphia and Charleston is approximately 364 miles, or 585 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 43 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 12 hours and 8 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.
Trains from Philadelphia to Charleston are the most crowded on Monday. 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 Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Philadelphia at 8:00am and arrives in Charleston around 12 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 Philadelphia.
City Information
Philadelphia
We may feel a little bit more than just brotherly love for Philadelphia, a city steeped in history and culture. Where else can you channel your inner Rocky Balboa on his epic run, and later enjoy an authentic Philly cheesesteak as a reward?
Philadelphia’s affordability (especially compared to other East Coast cities) is just one of many reasons it is among Wanderu’s best destinations for college students. Another reason is how much there is to do! Early American history takes precedence at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, while museums abound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, sometimes called the most artistic mile in the city. Head to Reading Terminal Market to fuel up for a night hitting the bars, clubs, and live music joints that line South Street.
Philadelphia is a major hub for both Greyhound and Amtrak, and its 30th Street Station is one of the busiest stations in the country. The plentitude of ground travel and the nearby Philadelphia International Airport make this exciting city very easily accessible, even on a budget.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Philadelphia?
Image credit: Ben Schumin
Link to image attributionMain departure station: 30th St Station - 2955 Market St
There is one train station in Philadelphia.
All train stations in Philadelphia:
30th St Station - 2955 Market 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 Philadelphia?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Philadelphia
- Philadelphia to Phoenix Train
HRK 3,222+
- Philadelphia to Denver
HRK 2,876+
- Train from Philadelphia to Stamford
HRK 616+
- Philadelphia to Washington D.C. Train
HRK 309+
- Train from Philadelphia to Tampa
HRK 1,567+
- Philadelphia to Boston Train
HRK 1,159+
- Philadelphia to Worcester Train
HRK 1,175+
- Train from Philadelphia to Baltimore
HRK 272+
- Philadelphia to Fayetteville Train
HRK 806+
- Philadelphia to Atlantic City Train
HRK 68+
- Philadelphia to Buffalo
HRK 1,017+
- Train from Philadelphia to Hudson
HRK 968+
- Philadelphia to New Rochelle Train
HRK 633+
- Philadelphia to New York Train
HRK 142+
- Philadelphia to Cincinnati Train
HRK 1,308+
- Philadelphia to Greenville Train
HRK 1,618+
- Philadelphia to Alexandria Train
HRK 496+
- Philadelphia to Brattleboro Train
HRK 880+
Continue by train from Charleston
- Charleston to Phoenix
HRK 2,622+
- Charleston to Chicago Train
HRK 936+
- Train from Charleston to New York
HRK 1,077+
- Train from Charleston to Nashville
HRK 1,025+
- Charleston to Richmond Train
HRK 555+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs Train
HRK 174+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to Washington D.C.
HRK 135+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to Orlando
HRK 1,329+
- Harpers Ferry to Baltimore
HRK 263+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to New York
HRK 812+
- Train from Huntington to White Sulphur Springs
HRK 186+
- Train from Martinsburg to Washington D.C.
HRK 162+
- Martinsburg to Orlando
HRK 1,330+
- Martinsburg to Chicago Train
HRK 927+
- Martinsburg to Baltimore Train
HRK 273+
- Martinsburg to Newark Train
HRK 947+
- Train from Martinsburg to New York
HRK 891+
- Train from Martinsburg to Philadelphia
HRK 791+
Check out these popular routes
- Ottawa to Toronto Train
HRK 445+
- Train from San Francisco to San Jose
HRK 179+
- Train from San Jose to San Francisco
HRK 189+
- Hartford to New Rochelle
HRK 191+
- Hartford to New York
HRK 279+
- Train from Newark to New York
HRK 610+
- Train from Miami to Chicago
HRK 2,090+
- Train from Orlando to Tampa
HRK 107+
- Train from Tampa to Orlando
HRK 105+
- Chicago to Miami
HRK 1,345+
- Newark to New York
HRK 40+
- Train from New York to Boston
HRK 760+
- New York to Albany
HRK 375+
- Train from New York to Providence
HRK 660+
- Pittsburgh to New York Train
HRK 617+
- Seattle to New York Train
HRK 4,368+
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.