- Must visit
Charleston Museum
Often called America’s first museum, with collections on Lowcountry history, natural history, decorative arts, and city development.
Cheapest price
$156
Average price
$156
Fastest journey
20 h 30 m
Average duration
20 h 30 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
905 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC will cost around $156 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $156.
It's difficult to get from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC without transferring at least 3 times.
FlixBus+
· ·
FlixBus+
· · Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $84. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 34m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $84, and a flight costs an average of $111.
Distance: 562 miles (905 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$176 Average price Cheapest | $191 Average price | $352 Average price |
22h 10m Average total duration 21h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 58m Average total duration 12h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 34m Average total duration Fastest 2h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC:
A bus is $15 (€12) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC costing on average $191 (€156).
A bus is $176 (€143) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC costing on average $352 (€287).
Other travel options to Charleston, SC take longer:
Train takes on average 12h 28m.
Bus takes on average 21h 40m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 22h30 | Departure days Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $124 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 22h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $174 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:00AM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 22h30 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price $108 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 22h00 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $199 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 20h30 | Departure days Wed, Sat | Cheapest price $166 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 11:30PM | Duration 20h30 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $255 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 06:30PM | Duration 20h30 | Departure days Mon, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $139 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 10:30PM | Duration 24h00 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $233 |
The table below shows live departures for Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC buses for today, Saturday, June 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus+ · · | 10:00 PM Philadelphia Bus Station | 20h30 | 6:30 PM Charleston, Gaynor Avenue (Greyhound Bus Station), SC | 3 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC run on average 5 times per day, taking around 21h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $84 (€68) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 07:10, the last at 23:55. The fastest bus covers the 562 miles (905 km) distance in 19h 30m.
Distance 562 miles (905 km) |
Average bus duration 21h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $84 (€68) |
Buses per day 5 |
Fastest bus 19h 30m |
First bus 7:10 AM |
Last bus 11:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Discover the best of Charleston — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Charleston trip today.
Often called America’s first museum, with collections on Lowcountry history, natural history, decorative arts, and city development.
Charleston’s leading art museum, known for American art with strong connections to the South and rotating exhibitions.
A major modern museum exploring African American history and culture, located at a nationally significant waterfront site.
Charleston’s best-known shopping and strolling street, mixing historic architecture, boutiques, and lively city atmosphere.
A compact historic district with galleries, churches, courtyards, and some of the city’s most atmospheric old streets.
A popular harborfront park known for relaxing walks, pier views, and the famous Pineapple Fountain.
A Lowcountry staple of sautéed shrimp served over creamy grits, often with bacon or gravy. It is one of Charleston’s most iconic dishes.
A rich, creamy crab soup finished with crab roe and a splash of sherry. It is a classic Charleston specialty with deep local roots.
Also called Lowcountry boil, this one-pot dish combines shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes. It is a beloved coastal gathering food.
One of Charleston’s best-known fine dining restaurants, praised for seasonal Southern cuisine and polished service.
A celebrated restaurant focused on Southern ingredients and refined Lowcountry cooking in a historic setting.
A popular waterfront spot known for seafood, shrimp and grits, and relaxed harbor views.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Hotels can be pricey in peak season, but casual dining and coffee are fairly typical for a mid-size tourist city.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants; 20%+ for excellent service. Bartenders: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Not expected for counter service, but appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Philadelphia, PA to Charleston, SC by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Charleston, SC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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