Cheap train tickets from Charleston to Washington DC
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Charleston to Washington DC. Traveling by train from Charleston to Washington DC usually takes 10 hours and 13 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
- Distance
- 251 mi (404 km)
- Fastest train
- 10h 13m
- Lowest price
- DKK 592.16
- 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:
Charleston to Washington DC Train Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Charleston to Washington DC?
There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Charleston to Washington DC.
Train | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. PriceDKK 949.43 | Avg. PriceDKK 656.51Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration10h 13mFaster | Duration14h 13m |

There are several train options that can take you from Charleston to Washington DC:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Charleston to Washington DC?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Charleston to Washington DC was DKK 592.16. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 23 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around DKK 2,256.79 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Charleston to Washington DC by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Charleston to Washington DC will cost between DKK 395 and DKK 836. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Charleston to Washington DC by month
Ticket prices for the train from Charleston to Washington DC often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in January when the average ticket price is only DKK 533. If you're thinking of traveling from Charleston to Washington DC during December, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of DKK 1,171 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 Charleston to Washington DC on Wanderu at least 23 days ahead of time, you can save about DKK 2,256.79 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
Which train should you take from Charleston to Washington DC?
Amtrak Cardinal is the one and only train line which connects Charleston to Washington DC. 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 | DKK 949.46 |
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 DC 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
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. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Charleston to Washington DC for DKK 480.
Trains per day
1
Direct trains
1
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.
Distance (mi)
251
Distance (km)
404
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Charleston at 8:31am and arrives in Washington DC around 10 hours later.
First train
8:31am
Last train
8:31am
Trains from Charleston to Washington DC 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 Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Friday
Least crowded
Wednesday
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
Need a return trip from Washington DC to Charleston?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Charleston
- Harpers Ferry to Rockville TrainDKK 138+
- Harpers Ferry to Chicago TrainDKK 862+
- Charleston to White Sulphur Springs TrainDKK 1,573+
- Huntington to Hinton TrainDKK 309+
- Charleston to Nashville TrainDKK 1,224+
- Huntington to Washington DC TrainDKK 441+
- Harpers Ferry to Washington DC TrainDKK 151+
- Charleston to New York TrainDKK 730+
- Harpers Ferry to Pittsburgh TrainDKK 342+
- Harpers Ferry to Raleigh TrainDKK 487+
- Charleston to Richmond TrainDKK 493+
- Martinsburg to Tampa TrainDKK 1,428+
- Martinsburg to Washington DC TrainDKK 171+
- Charleston to Chicago TrainDKK 1,112+
- Martinsburg to New York TrainDKK 796+
- White Sulphur Springs to Washington DC TrainDKK 605+
- Harpers Ferry to Orlando TrainDKK 1,263+
- Charleston to Atlanta TrainDKK 1,513+
Continue by train from Washington DC
- Washington DC to St Paul TrainDKK 1,665+
- Washington DC to Bangor TrainDKK 1,276+
- Washington DC to Austin TrainDKK 2,230+
- Washington DC to Providence TrainDKK 1,336+
- Washington DC to Richmond TrainDKK 197+
- Washington DC to Syracuse TrainDKK 1,033+
- Washington DC to Boston TrainDKK 1,415+
- Washington DC to Baltimore TrainDKK 158+
- Washington DC to New Rochelle TrainDKK 691+
- Washington DC to Scranton TrainDKK 783+
- Washington DC to Harpers Ferry TrainDKK 125+
- Washington DC to Culpeper TrainDKK 132+
- Washington DC to New York TrainDKK 836+
- Washington DC to Staunton TrainDKK 526+
- Washington DC to Virginia Beach TrainDKK 342+
- Washington DC to Winston-Salem Train
- Washington DC to Roanoke TrainDKK 197+
- Washington DC to Philadelphia TrainDKK 487+
Check out these popular routes
- Seattle to Vancouver TrainDKK 487+
- Los Angeles to San Francisco TrainDKK 500+
- Providence to Boston TrainDKK 309+
- Washington DC to New York TrainDKK 836+
- Toronto to Vancouver TrainDKK 2,684+
- Rensselaer to New York TrainDKK 336+
- New York to Providence TrainDKK 895+
- New York to Boston TrainDKK 947+
- Milwaukee to Chicago TrainDKK 178+
- New York to Washington DC TrainDKK 836+
- Toronto to Ottawa TrainDKK 316+
- Boston to Washington DC TrainDKK 1,500+
- San Francisco to Los Angeles TrainDKK 467+
- Washington DC to Boston TrainDKK 1,415+
- Seattle to New York TrainDKK 3,435+
- Boston to New York TrainDKK 901+
- Ottawa to Toronto TrainDKK 355+
- St Paul to Chicago TrainDKK 678+

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.




