Cheap train tickets from Charlottesville to Charleston
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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 170.83
- 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:
Charlottesville to Charleston Train Schedule

There are several train options that can take you from Charlottesville to Charleston:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Charlottesville to Charleston?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Charlottesville to Charleston was RON 170.83. 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 24 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around RON 383.22 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Charlottesville to Charleston by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Charlottesville to Charleston will cost between RON 162 and RON 212. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
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 194. 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 573 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 24 days ahead of time, you can save about RON 383.22 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 277.03 |
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 37 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 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 2:32pm 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 Friday. 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
Friday
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 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?
Main 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
Need a return trip from Charleston to Charlottesville?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Charlottesville
- Charlottesville to Hartford TrainRON 586+
- Charlottesville to Roanoke TrainRON 60+
- Charlottesville to Greensboro TrainRON 272+
- Charlottesville, VA to Portland, ME TrainRON 785+
- Charlottesville to Manassas TrainRON 120+
- Charlottesville to New York TrainRON 540+
- Charlottesville to Virginia Beach TrainRON 305+
- Charlottesville to Chicago TrainRON 799+
- Charlottesville to Wilmington TrainRON 383+
- Charlottesville to Boston TrainRON 785+
- Charlottesville to Atlanta TrainRON 609+
- Charlottesville to Philadelphia TrainRON 402+
- Charlottesville to Norfolk TrainRON 337+
- Charlottesville to Alexandria TrainRON 143+
- Charlottesville to Staunton TrainRON 65+
- Charlottesville to Washington DC TrainRON 152+
- Charlottesville to New Haven TrainRON 434+
- Charlottesville to Charlotte TrainRON 295+
Continue by train from Charleston
- Charleston to Richmond TrainRON 346+
- Harpers Ferry to Pittsburgh TrainRON 240+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs TrainRON 1,103+
- Martinsburg to Washington DC TrainRON 120+
- Charleston to New York TrainRON 512+
- Morgantown to Washington DC Train
- Harpers Ferry to Washington DC TrainRON 106+
- Harpers Ferry to Chicago TrainRON 605+
- Martinsburg to New York TrainRON 568+
- Harpers Ferry to Rockville TrainRON 97+
- Charleston to Nashville TrainRON 859+
- Harpers Ferry to Baltimore TrainRON 199+
- Charleston to Chicago TrainRON 780+
- Harpers Ferry to Raleigh TrainRON 342+
- Huntington to Hinton TrainRON 217+
- Huntington to Washington DC TrainRON 309+
- Harpers Ferry to Orlando TrainRON 886+
- Martinsburg to Philadelphia TrainRON 295+
Check out these popular routes
- Boston to Washington DC TrainRON 1,020+
- Montreal to New York TrainRON 425+
- Chicago to Milwaukee TrainRON 125+
- Providence to Boston TrainRON 212+
- Montreal to Québec City TrainRON 254+
- Seattle to New York TrainRON 2,627+
- London to Paris Train
- St Paul to Chicago TrainRON 485+
- New York to Boston TrainRON 642+
- Los Angeles to San Francisco TrainRON 360+
- Chicago to St Paul TrainRON 402+
- Boston to New York TrainRON 633+
- Washington DC to Boston TrainRON 970+
- New York to Providence TrainRON 642+
- Milwaukee to Chicago TrainRON 125+
- Boston to Providence TrainRON 245+
- Ottawa to Toronto TrainRON 249+
- Toronto to Vancouver TrainRON 1,916+

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.




