Cheap train tickets from Charlottesville to Charleston

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Trip Summary

There is one daily train from Charlottesville to Charleston. Traveling by train from Charlottesville to Charleston usually takes 6 hours and 37 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.

Distance: 173 mi (278 km)
Fastest train: 6h 37m
Lowest price: RON 177.31
Trains per day: 1
Most frequent service: Amtrak Cardinal
Train lines: 1

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Charlottesville to Charleston Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

There are several train options that can take you from Charlottesville to Charleston:

Amtrak Cardinal tickets: RON 177 one-way

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What is the price of a train ticket from Charlottesville to Charleston?

In the last month, train tickets from Charlottesville to Charleston cost about RON 177 when booked at the cheapest time. 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 19 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 162.93 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Charlottesville to Charleston by travel date

The cost of a one-way train trip from Charlottesville to Charleston is expected to stay pretty stable over the next four weeks. No matter which day you travel, you can expect to pay about RON 220 for your ticket.

Average train ticket prices from Charlottesville to Charleston by month

Ticket prices for the train from Charlottesville 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 RON 201. If you're thinking of traveling from Charlottesville to Charleston during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of RON 594 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in December, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Charlottesville to Charleston on Wanderu at least 19 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 162.93 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

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 37m	RON 285.93

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 Charlottesville to Charleston per day, with an average trip length of 6 hours and 37 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Charlottesville and Charleston is approximately 173 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 6 hours and 37 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)

173

Distance (km)

278

Most days, there is only one train which leaves Charlottesville at 2:32 PM and arrives in Charleston around 6 hours later.

First train

2:32pm

Last train

2:32pm

Trains from Charlottesville 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

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 5,000-acre estate has a mansion that 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 Virginia 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?

Main departure station: Train Station - 810 W Main St

Train Station - 810 W Main St - CVSAMT-0

Train Station - 810 W Main St - CVSAMT-1

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

Need a return trip from Charleston to Charlottesville?

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