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Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from Madison to North Charleston. The train trip from Madison to North Charleston is usually about 39 hours and 23 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 38 hours and 28 minutes.
| Distance | 872 mi (1403 km) |
| Fastest train | 38h 28m |
| Lowest price | $405.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Which train should you take from Madison to North Charleston?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Madison to North Charleston. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 2 | 1d 15h 23m | $409.50 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from Madison to North Charleston every day, as well as 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $405.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Madison and North Charleston is approximately 872 miles, or 1403 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 39 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 38 hours and 28 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.
Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Madison to North Charleston. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Madison at 11:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in Madison twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you change trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from North Charleston to Madison.
City Information
Madison
Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
North Charleston
Image credit: Mobilus In Mobili
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Image credit: Warren LeMay
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Image credit: North Charleston
Link to image attributionNorth Charleston is a promising travel destination with quirky landmarks and fun activities for all travelers. To explore the city’s rich history, the H.L. Hunley Museum offers everything you need. Featuring the first successful combat submarine in the world as well as other Civil War-era relics, the museum will keep you enthralled for a whole morning. Other notable museums include the Greater Charleston Naval Memorial as well as the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. For fans of cultural activities, don’t pass up the chance to enjoy an event at the North Charleston Coliseum, which is one of the largest venues in South Carolina. If you enjoy staying away from a crowd and exploring nature, a walk around Riverfront Park will be what you need.
Though North Charleston might not feature a lively food scene like Charleston does, the city’s staples will still satisfy hungry travelers. Nigel’s Good Food is a local favorite and a good place to start your food tour. Chill-N-Grill is a great spot to grab some fresh seafood.
The city’s transportation center is located on Gaynor Ave. Travelers can catch Southeastern Stages buses here. Travelers can also catch Amtrak trains passing through the city at this station. North Charleston is served by Amtrak’s Palmetto and Silver Meteor lines. The main airport is the Charleston International Airport.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Madison?
Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
There are two stations in Madison where you can board the train to North Charleston.
All train stations in Madison:
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Dutch Mill Park & Ride Lot
Where is the train station in North Charleston?
Main arrival station: 4565 Gaynor Ave
The Amtrak Station in North Charleston is an intermodal transportation hub offering both intercity bus services and train services for travelers into and out of the Charleston area. The station opened in 2018 and offers modern amenities like charging ports along with vending machines and restrooms. Amtrak’s Palmetto service from Savannah to New York and Silver Meteor service from Miami to New York both stop in North Charleston. Southeastern Stages provides bus service from this station to destinations throughout the South.
All train stations in North Charleston:
4565 Gaynor Ave
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