Cheap train tickets from Charlottesville to Charleston
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Charlottesville to Charleston Train Schedule
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Charlottesville to Charleston. Traveling by train from Charlottesville to Charleston usually takes 6 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Cardinal train can make the trip in 6 hours and 31 minutes.
| Distance | 173 mi (278 km) |
| Fastest train | 6h 31m |
| Lowest price | CZK 864.78 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Charlottesville to Charleston
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Charlottesville to Charleston?
Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Charlottesville 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 | 6h 32m | CZK 2,608.97 |
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 Charlottesville to Charleston per day, with an average trip length of 6 hours and 32 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Charlottesville to Charleston
The distance between Charlottesville and Charleston is approximately 173 miles, or 278 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 32 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 6 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.
Trains from Charlottesville 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 Saturday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Charlottesville at 1:00pm and arrives in Charleston around 6 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 Charlottesville.
City Information
Charlottesville
Lovingly called Mr. Jefferson’s City by locals, Charlottesville is one of Virginia's best destinations with plenty of interesting attractions to draw in not only fans of history but also of arts and culture. The prime attraction of the city is the famous estate of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello. This 5000-acre mansion is an architectural masterpiece that combines Parisian and Italian elements, giving you a day’s worth of exploration. For those looking for a more idyllic landscape, try Carter Mountain Orchard, which offers apple-picking sessions as well. The University of Charlottesville is also a must-not-miss destination. As the only university in the U.S. to be designated a World Heritage Site, it offers interesting insights into the history of education of the country.
Charlottesville’s wines are famous around the country, and the Monticello Wine Trail is perfect for trying out the best wines that the region has to offer. For an amazing dinner experience, C & O Restaurant, which has been in business since 1976, will be a great choice.
The city’s busiest bus stop is the Greyhound bus stop located downtown at 310 W Main St. For trains, head over to the nearby Amtrak train station, also on W Main St. Charlottesville is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal, Crescent and Northeast Regional lines. The city’s main airport is the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, 8 miles from the city.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Charlottesville?
Image credit: Funky Tee
Link to image attribution
Image credit: Bill McChesney
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Train Station - 810 W Main St
The Union Station in Charlottesville opened in 1885 and today remains the center of rail transportation in Charlottesville. Three Amtrak lines run through the Charlottesville station: the Cardinal route from Chicago to New York, the Crescent route from New Orleans to New York, and the Northeast Regional route from Roanoke to Boston. Inside the barn-red building, you can have a seat in the indoor waiting room, purchase a snack to go from vending machines, or learn more about Charlottesville from the tourism pamphlets available. The station is just steps away from the University of Virginia campus, and from the station, you can stroll to one of many excellent restaurants along Main Street.
All train stations in Charlottesville:
Train Station - 810 W Main 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
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