The cheapest and fastest trains from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC
Cheapest price
$157
Average price
$157
Fastest journey
9 h 55 m
Average duration
9 h 55 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
729 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC will cost around $157 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $157.
Of the 1 trains that leave Charleston, SC for Washington, DC on Fri, Nov 28, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Nov 28 the direct trains cover the 729 km distance in an average of 9 h 55 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 9 h 55 m .
On Fri, Nov 28 the slowest trains will take 9 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Charleston, SC to Washington, DC
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €55. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 34m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €55, and a flight costs an average of €76.
Distance: 452 miles (729 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
€122 Average price | €210 Average price | €89 Average price Cheapest |
10h 24m Average total duration 9h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 34m Average total duration Fastest 1h 34m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 12h 8m Average total duration 11h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Charleston, SC to Washington, DC train times
The table below shows live departures for Charleston, SC to Washington, DC trains for today, Thursday, November 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:15 PM Charleston, SC | 9h55 | 11:10 PM Washington, DC | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Charleston, SC to Washington, DC by bus, train, or flight
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.
Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
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Dec 04
Journey information
Overview: Train from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC
Trains from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC run on average 2 times per day, taking around 9h 54m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $85 (€69) but you can travel from only $67 (€55) by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 09:15, the last at 21:34. The fastest train covers the 452 miles (729 km) distance in 9h 55m.
Distance 452 miles (729 km) |
Average train duration 9h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price $85 (€69) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 9h 55m |
First train 09:15 |
Last train 21:34 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Charleston, SC and Washington, DC from $67 (€55). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Washington, DC, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Free Wi-Fi in the station courtesy of Amtrak.
- Amtrak provides temporary luggage storage for $10 per bag for 24 hours for customers holding Amtrak tickets.
- Shake Shack
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop
- Chopt Creative Salad Co.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Thunder Grill
- Johnny Rockets
- Jamba Juice
- Ladurée Union Station
- & many more
- Elevators, escalators, wheelchair access. Accessible facilities including restrooms, parking, platforms, ticket office, waiting room.
- Hyatt Recency Washington On Capitol Hill
- Phoenix Park Hotel
- Kimpton George Hotel
- Mon - Fri: 04:30 - 22:00
- Sat - Sun: 05:00 - 22:00
- Located on the train concourse of Level G near the Amtrak Waiting Area.
- Metro lines: Red
- Bus lines: D6, D8, 80, 96,
- Train lines: Acela, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, Carolinian, Crescent, Fredericksburg Line, MARC Brunswick, MARC Camden, MARC Penn, Manassas Line, Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Silver Service/Palmetto, Vermonter
More options for your journey from Charleston, SC to Washington, DC
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