How to travel from Raleigh to Charleston, United States of America

The distance between Raleigh and Charleston is around 263 miles (423km) and the quickest way to get there is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 4h 10m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Raleigh to Charleston by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out CharlestonRaleigh if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
bus
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plane
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Bus and Plane

Take the bus to Fayetteville then fly from Fayetteville Municipal (FAY) to Charleston (CHS).

  • Duration4h 10m
  • Flight time2h 30m
  • Typical cost
    $490
Operated by

Multiple operators

2
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Selma and then to Charleston Amtrak Station.

  • Duration4h 45m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    $78
💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Florence and then to Charleston SC.

  • Duration7hrs
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    $52
Operated by

Southeastern Stages

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Charleston.

  • Duration4h 40m
  • Distance279 miles (449km)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Raleigh and Charleston

There are several options for getting from Raleigh to Charleston by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around $52 and will take around 7hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the bus and then fly and arrive in approximately 4h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $490.

The distance between Raleigh and Charleston is around 263 miles (423km). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 220 miles (354km)

It takes around 4h 45m to get from Raleigh and Charleston by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 4h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Raleigh to Charleston is to take the bus and then fly which takes around 4h 10m and will set you back approx $490.

The cheapest way to travel between Raleigh and Charleston, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around $52 for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Raleigh and Charleston. It typically takes around 4h 45m and departs twice daily.

There are no direct train services that runs from Raleigh to Charleston. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Selma and Charleston Amtrak Station. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 4h 45m.

Amtrak run train services between Raleigh and Charleston. Trains depart twice daily and will take around 4h 45m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Raleigh and Charleston. It typically takes around 7hrs and departs on demand.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Raleigh to Charleston. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Capital Blvd at Crabtree Blvd, Florence and Charleston SC. These services run on demand and will take a minimum of 7hrs.

Southeastern Stages and Greyhound USA run regular bus services between Raleigh and Charleston. Buses run on demand and take around 7hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Raleigh to Charleston. We recommend that you take the bus to Fayetteville then fly from Fayetteville Municipal (FAY) to Charleston (CHS). instead which will take 4h 10m.

The closest major airport to Charleston is Charleston International Airport (CHS) (CHS) which is approximately 14km (9 miles) from Charleston. Hilton Head Airport (HHH) (HHH) and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) (MYR) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Raleigh and Charleston. The distance is around 279 miles (449km) by road and it will take around 4h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Raleigh to Charleston is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 45m and will usually cost around $78.

How do I get from Raleigh to Charleston

Compare travel optionsbetween Raleigh and Charleston

Transport options from Raleigh to Charleston
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus and Plane
4h 10m
$490
twice daily595km (369 miles)
Train
4h 45m
$78
twice daily423km (263 miles)
Bus
7hrs
$52
twice daily534km (332 miles)
Drive
4h 40m
$28
on demand449km (279 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Raleigh and Charleston

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Charleston

The following major airports near Charleston offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United States of America and internationally.

CHS
Charleston International Airport (CHS)
International Airport
Distance
9 miles (14km) from Charleston
HHH
Hilton Head Airport (HHH)
Domestic Airport
Distance
59 miles (95km) from Charleston
MYR
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
International Airport
Distance
85 miles (137km) from Charleston