Cheap train tickets from Charleston to Cincinnati
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Trip Summary
There is one daily train from Charleston to Cincinnati. Traveling by train from Charleston to Cincinnati usually takes 5 hours and 2 minutes, but some trains might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled.
| Distance | 164 mi (263 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 2m |
| Lowest price | $47.00 |
| Trains per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak Cardinal |
| Train lines | 1 |
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Charleston to Cincinnati Train Schedule

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for trains from Charleston to Cincinnati (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
5.0
There are several train options that can take you from Charleston to Cincinnati:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Charleston to Cincinnati?
In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Charleston to Cincinnati was $47.00. 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 12 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $27.00 more if you wait to book until the last minute.
Average train ticket prices from Charleston to Cincinnati by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Charleston to Cincinnati will cost between $29 and $48. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Charleston to Cincinnati by month
Ticket prices for the train from Charleston to Cincinnati often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in September when the average ticket price is only $52. If you're thinking of traveling from Charleston to Cincinnati during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $81 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.
Prices as travel date approaches
By booking your train trip from Charleston to Cincinnati on Wanderu at least 12 days ahead of time, you can save about $27.00 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!
What train companies travel from Charleston to Cincinnati?
There are multiple trains that travel from Charleston to Cincinnati, including Amtrak Cardinal. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular train lines:
| TRAIN | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak Cardinal | 1 | 5h 2m | $50.80 |
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 Cincinnati per day, with an average trip length of 5 hours and 2 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Charleston to Cincinnati
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. Luckily, this train will get you to Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati to Charleston. If you're not set on traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Charleston to Cincinnati for $110.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
1
The distance between Charleston and Cincinnati is approximately 164 miles, or 263 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 2 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)
164
DISTANCE (KM)
263
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Charleston at 9:09pm and arrives in Cincinnati around 5 hours later.
EARLIEST TRAIN
9:09pm
LATEST TRAIN
9:09pm
Trains from Charleston to Cincinnati 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 Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
MOST CROWDED
Sunday
LEAST CROWDED
Friday
City Information
Cincinnati



A city famous for its idyllic beauty and quaint quarters, Cincinnati is the destination for tourists who wish to stay away from a large crowd. On a bright sunny day in Cincinnati, head over to Eden Park. Encompassing over 183 acres of green space and tree groves, the park lives up to its name, and there are some scenic ponds where you can unwind as well as take a few amazing pictures. Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum might sound like a scary place to visit, but its tranquility and amazing landscape design, which was ahead of its time, will make it worth the while to check it out. For those who still crave some liveliness, watching a game at the Great American Ball Park, home of the oldest professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, will be an unforgettable experience.
Cincinnati features a very diverse food scene in spite of its German roots. If you are looking to try out some refreshing Mediterranean dishes, head over to Abigail Street, one of the local favorites. For authentic German dishes, the door at Mecklenburg Gardens welcomes you.
There’s not a central bus station in the city, as each of the different bus carriers serving Cincinnati operates out of a different location. The principal Amtrak train station is the Union Terminal on Western Ave. Cincinnati is served by Amtrak’s Cardinal line. The city’s main airport is the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is located in Hebron, Kentucky.
Station Information
Where does the train leave from 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 does the train arrive in Cincinnati?
Main arrival station: Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave



Cincinnati’s Union Terminal is a living museum and train station with service operated by Amtrak. The art deco train station opened in 1933 and is now part of the Cincinnati Museum Center. Visitors can ogle dinosaur skeletons in the Museum of Natural History and travel back in time to an old-fashioned city street in the Cincinnati History Museum. To serve the 1.4 million annual visitors to these museums, the center offers a coat check, gift shops, and three dining rooms where travelers can stop in for ice cream or a draft beer before boarding their train. Amtrak’s Cardinal line runs through Union Terminal on its route from Chicago to New York, and travelers can travel to other cities along this line, such as Toledo and Cleveland.
All train stations in Cincinnati:
- Union Terminal - 1301 Western Ave
Need a return trip from Cincinnati to Charleston?
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