Cheap train tickets from Philadelphia to Charleston
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Philadelphia to Charleston. Traveling by train from Philadelphia to Charleston usually takes 12 hours and 49 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- Distance
- 364 mi (585 km)
- Fastest train
- 12h 49m
- Lowest price
- SEK 1,149.38
- Trains per day
- 1
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak Cardinal
- Train lines
- 1
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

There are several train options that can take you from Philadelphia to Charleston:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Philadelphia to Charleston?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Philadelphia to Charleston was SEK 1,149. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 15 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around SEK 1,198.49 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to Charleston by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Philadelphia to Charleston will cost between SEK 1,140 and SEK 2,348. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Philadelphia to Charleston by month
Ticket prices for the train from Philadelphia to Charleston often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in February when the average ticket price is only SEK 1,434. If you're thinking of traveling from Philadelphia to Charleston during March, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of SEK 3,664 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in March, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Philadelphia to Charleston on Wanderu at least 15 days ahead of time, you can save about SEK 1,198.49 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
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 49m | SEK 1,556.08 |
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 is usually 1 Cardinal trip from Philadelphia to Charleston per day, with an average trip length of 12 hours and 49 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Philadelphia to Charleston for SEK 953.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
1
The distance between Philadelphia and Charleston is approximately 364 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 12 hours and 49 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)
364
Distance (km)
585
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Philadelphia at 8:20 AM and arrives in Charleston around 12 hours later.
First train
8:20am
Last train
8:20am
Trains from Philadelphia 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Wednesday
Least crowded
Friday
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?
Main 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
Need a return trip from Charleston to Philadelphia?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Philadelphia
- Philadelphia to Phoenix TrainSEK 5,364+
- Philadelphia to Stamford TrainSEK 1,041+
- Philadelphia to Tampa TrainSEK 1,817+
- Philadelphia to Worcester TrainSEK 1,316+
- Philadelphia to Fayetteville TrainSEK 1,061+
- Philadelphia to Buffalo TrainSEK 1,444+
- Philadelphia to New Rochelle TrainSEK 845+
- Philadelphia to Cincinnati TrainSEK 973+
- Philadelphia to Alexandria TrainSEK 658+
- Philadelphia to Denver TrainSEK 2,996+
- Philadelphia to Washington DC TrainSEK 776+
- Philadelphia to Boston TrainSEK 1,994+
- Philadelphia to Baltimore TrainSEK 589+
- Philadelphia to Atlantic City Train
- Philadelphia to Hudson TrainSEK 914+
- Philadelphia to New York TrainSEK 747+
- Philadelphia to Greenville TrainSEK 1,267+
- Philadelphia to Brattleboro TrainSEK 1,110+
Continue by train from Charleston
- Charleston to Phoenix Train
- Charleston to New York TrainSEK 1,493+
- Charleston to Richmond TrainSEK 825+
- Harpers Ferry to Washington DC TrainSEK 167+
- Harpers Ferry to Baltimore TrainSEK 383+
- Huntington to White Sulphur Springs TrainSEK 914+
- Martinsburg to Orlando TrainSEK 1,601+
- Martinsburg to Baltimore TrainSEK 393+
- Martinsburg to New York TrainSEK 1,130+
- Charleston to Chicago TrainSEK 2,161+
- Charleston to Nashville TrainSEK 1,827+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs TrainSEK 255+
- Harpers Ferry to Orlando TrainSEK 1,700+
- Harpers Ferry to New York TrainSEK 1,130+
- Martinsburg to Washington DC TrainSEK 206+
- Martinsburg to Chicago TrainSEK 1,090+
- Martinsburg to Newark TrainSEK 1,090+
- Martinsburg to Philadelphia TrainSEK 550+
Check out these popular routes
- Ottawa to Toronto TrainSEK 432+
- San Jose to San Francisco TrainSEK 285+
- Hartford to New York TrainSEK 648+
- Miami to Chicago TrainSEK 2,967+
- Tampa to Orlando TrainSEK 157+
- Boston to New York TrainSEK 1,415+
- New York to Boston TrainSEK 1,218+
- New York to Providence TrainSEK 1,228+
- Seattle to Vancouver TrainSEK 599+
- San Francisco to San Jose TrainSEK 265+
- Hartford to New Rochelle TrainSEK 540+
- Newark, DE to New York, NY TrainSEK 815+
- Orlando to Tampa TrainSEK 167+
- Chicago to Miami TrainSEK 2,927+
- Newark to New York TrainSEK 206+
- New York to Albany TrainSEK 560+
- Pittsburgh to New York TrainSEK 1,385+
- Seattle to New York TrainSEK 4,715+

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.




