Cheap train tickets from Charleston to Washington DC
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Charleston to Washington DC Train Schedule
Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Charleston to Washington DC. The train trip from Charleston to Washington DC is usually about 10 hours and 13 minutes long. However, be prepared just in case your train arrives slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 251 mi (404 km) |
| Fastest train | 10h 13m |
| Lowest price | CHF 48.56 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Charleston to Washington DC?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Charleston to Washington was CHF 48.56. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Washington DC if you book your train tickets at least 4 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra CHF 9.71.
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from Charleston to Washington DC?
Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Charleston to Washington. 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 | 10h 13m | CHF 93.08 |
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 are usually 1 Cardinal trips from Charleston to Washington per day, with an average trip length of 10 hours and 13 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Charleston to Washington DC
The distance between Charleston and Washington DC is approximately 251 miles, or 404 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 10 hours and 13 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 departing from Charleston to Washington DC tend to have the most passengers on Saturday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Saturday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Thursday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Charleston at 8:00am and arrives in Washington DC around 10 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Washington DC 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 Washington DC to Charleston.
City Information
Washington DC
Washington, DC is the capital of the United States, and as such, it offers many points of interest of governmental and historical value. DC is home to several iconic landmarks, including the White House where the U.S. president resides, the Capitol building that houses the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the National Mall, where you can stop by the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial. One of the reasons Washington, DC is among the best destinations to visit with your family is because it is home to so many world-famous museums, including the Smithsonians – 16 museums scattered across the District, most of which are open every day of the week, and even better, every single one is free.
D.C. is not just about politics and museums, though. The city’s active nightlife fittingly ranks it among the biggest party hubs in the country. Head to the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood to check out some of the finest restaurants that the nation’s capital has to offer, or join a food tour of Georgetown to get a taste of the area’s culture along with its cuisine.
Nested between Virginia and Maryland, Washington, D.C. is a key transportation hub with three nearby airports and several bus and train stations.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Charleston?
Main departure station: 350 MacCorkle Ave SE
There is one train station in Charleston.
All train stations in Charleston:
350 MacCorkle Ave SE
Where is the train station in Washington DC?
Main arrival station: Union Station
Opened more than 100 years ago in 1907, Union Station is the largest transportation hub in Washington, D.C. with almost 5 million travelers passing through it every year. As the official headquarters of Amtrak, Union Station is the main train station in the U.S. capital. It is also a major hub for intercity bus travel, serving as the main bus station in D.C. for a number of carriers, including Greyhound, BoltBus, Peter Pan Bus Lines and OurBus. Union Station offers easy transit connections to places all over D.C. with dedicated stops for the city’s metro, bus and streetcar services, as well as commuter rail for travelers to and from the surrounding areas. Additionally, with a full blown shopping mall on the premises, Union Station is also among the most popular shopping destinations in the nation's capital.
All train stations in Washington DC:
Union Station
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Washington DC to Charleston?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Charleston
- Train from Charleston to Atlanta
CHF 189+
- Charleston to Chicago Train
CHF 272+
- Train from Charleston to New York
CHF 212+
- Train from Charleston to Nashville
CHF 162+
- Charleston to Richmond Train
CHF 80+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs Train
CHF 19+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to Washington D.C.
CHF 23+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to Orlando
CHF 217+
- Harpers Ferry to Chicago Train
CHF 142+
- Train from Harpers Ferry to Rockville
CHF 20+
- Harpers Ferry to Raleigh Train
CHF 87+
- Harpers Ferry to Pittsburgh Train
CHF 66+
- Huntington to Washington D.C.
CHF 97+
- Train from Huntington to Hinton
CHF 25+
- Train from Martinsburg to Washington D.C.
CHF 29+
- Martinsburg to Tampa Train
CHF 215+
- Train from Martinsburg to New York
CHF 142+
- Train from White Sulphur Springs to Washington D.C.
CHF 80+
Continue by train from Washington DC
- Washington D.C. to Boston
CHF 213+
- Washington D.C. to Baltimore Train
CHF 15+
- Washington D.C. to Bangor Train
CHF 208+
- Washington D.C. to Saint Paul Train
CHF 378+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Winston-Salem
CHF 106+
- Washington D.C. to New Rochelle Train
CHF 121+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
CHF 92+
- Washington D.C. to Syracuse Train
CHF 184+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia
CHF 79+
- Washington D.C. to Scranton
CHF 113+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Providence
CHF 210+
- Washington D.C. to Austin Train
CHF 532+
- Washington D.C. to Culpeper
CHF 14+
- Washington D.C. to Richmond Train
CHF 32+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Roanoke
CHF 30+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Staunton
CHF 204+
- Washington D.C. to Virginia Beach
CHF 57+
- Train from Washington D.C. to Harpers Ferry
CHF 22+
Check out these popular routes
- Ottawa to Toronto Train
CHF 66+
- Toronto to Vancouver
CHF 629+
- Train from Toronto to Ottawa
CHF 67+
- Washington D.C. to Boston
CHF 213+
- Train from Washington D.C. to New York
CHF 92+
- Train from Boston to Washington D.C.
CHF 207+
- Saint Paul to Chicago Train
CHF 91+
- New York to Washington D.C. Train
CHF 121+
- Train from New York to Boston
CHF 141+
- Train from New York to Providence
CHF 132+
- Train from Rensselaer to New York
CHF 52+
- Train from Providence to Boston
CHF 17+
- Seattle to New York Train
CHF 1,176+
- Train from Milwaukee to Chicago
CHF 23+
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.