Everyone loves trains, and even if you’ve never traveled by train chances are you’re at least a little intrigued by the idea. South Carolina has limited day trips on the rails but that doesn’t mean the available trips don’t pack a punch. These five incredible train day trips in South Carolina dish up some fun and interesting agendas that are perfect for a single day excursion from the Palmetto State.
- Charleston to Savannah, GA
Flickr/JR P
Head to Savannah on Amtrak’s Silver Meteor for a day in the Garden City.
Flickr/OHFalcon72
Explore the many beautiful squares that make up this historic spot.
Flickr/Ken Lund
And then hit the famous River Street, a must-see, before heading back to Charleston on the train.
TripAdvisor/Joanne S Search for your train at this link. Enter CHS for the departure city and SAV for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Charleston.
- Columbia to Raleigh, NC
Flickr/J Stephen Conn
Take a ride on Amtrak’s Silver Star from one Carolina capital city to another.
Flickr/Mark Turner
If you want to bring your own wheels, Amtrak has expanded “bike service” available.
Flickr/Richard Masoner
Once you arrive in Raleigh, have a bite to eat and then head over to historic Yates Mill County Park before heading back to Columbia later in the evening.
TripAdvisor/management Search for your train at this link. Enter CLB for the departure city and RGH for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Columbia.
- Yemassee to Charleston
Flickr/Ken Ratcliff
This short excursion is a perfect day trip with the kids.
Facebook/Amtrak
Facebook/Amtrak
Grab an Uber into the historic district and get dropped off at Charleston’s Waterfront Park.
Flickr/David
After, head down the street to the South Carolina Aquarium before heading back to the train and to the historic depot in Yemassee.
TripAdvisor/management Search for your train at this link. Enter YEM for the departure city and CHS for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Yemassee.
- Charleston to Florence
Flickr/Charleston’s The Digitel
Gather up the family for a fun train excursion they won’t soon forget!
Facebook/Amtrak
There are several nearby family-friendly restaurants where you can have a late lunch and then explore some shoppes while you wait for the late afternoon train back to Charleston.
Yelp/Wholly Smokin BBQ & Ribs Search for your train at this link. Enter CHS for the departure city and FLO for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Charleston.
- Winnsboro scenic ride on the historic Rockton, Rion & Western
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum
Enjoy the 10-mile, 70-minute loop and the beautiful countryside of the Carolina Sandhills.
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum More information, including tickets, dates and times, is available here on the South Carolina Railroad Museum website.
Trains can be a fun way to travel and see the countryside. Have fun planning and taking one of these day trips by train from South Carolina.
Flickr/JR P
Flickr/OHFalcon72
Flickr/Ken Lund
TripAdvisor/Joanne S
Search for your train at this link. Enter CHS for the departure city and SAV for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Charleston.
Flickr/J Stephen Conn
Flickr/Mark Turner
Flickr/Richard Masoner
TripAdvisor/management
Search for your train at this link. Enter CLB for the departure city and RGH for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Columbia.
Flickr/Ken Ratcliff
Facebook/Amtrak
Flickr/David
Search for your train at this link. Enter YEM for the departure city and CHS for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Yemassee.
Flickr/Charleston’s The Digitel
Yelp/Wholly Smokin BBQ & Ribs
Search for your train at this link. Enter CHS for the departure city and FLO for the arrival city. You’ll need to reverse that search for the ticket(s) back to Charleston.
Facebook/South Carolina Railroad Museum
More information, including tickets, dates and times, is available here on the South Carolina Railroad Museum website.
Side note: Unfortunately the trains leaving the Upstate Amtrak terminals (Clemson, Greenville and Spartanburg) all depart in the middle of the night – and arrive at their in-state destinations in the middle of the night. And that’s the only reason the Upstate is not on this list.
Want to see some more day trips in the Palmetto State? Here are 15 Amazing Day Trips In South Carolina.
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Address: Charleston, North Charleston, SC 29405, USAAddress: 850 Pulaski St, Columbia, SC 29201, USAAddress: The South Carolina Railroad Museum, 110 Industrial Park Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180, USAAddress: 58 Public Landing Ln, Yemassee, SC 29945, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Train Day Trips In South Carolina April 01, 2021 Sarah What are the best day trips in South Carolina? If you enjoyed the above list of train day trips in South Carolina and are looking for more, you need check out these nine road trips you can take on just one tank of gas! South Carolina is just the perfect size to make it across the state on the average tank of gas. With no extended sightseeing stops it’s also very possible to make it all the way from the mountains to the sea in just one day, an excursion that ranks among the best road trips in South Carolina. One of the most scenic day trips in the state, Pretty Place Chapel is absolutely breathtaking. Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy is another picture-perfect spot that will make you fall in love with South Carolina all over again. And when you’re feeling hungry, Whiteford’s Giant Burger is a day trip in and of itself: stop for lunch at this landmark of a restaurant that’s been serving Laurens since way before Kennedy was in the Whitehouse. What are some scenic train trips in South Carolina? If there’s one place in the entire state where you can ride a train just for the sheer pleasure of it, it’s in Winnsboro. The Rockton, Rion and Western at the South Carolina Railroad Museum has one of the best train expeditions in the state, and will teach you a lot along the way. It’s a great train ride and experience is a non-profit volunteer effort to preserve some of South Carolina’s extensive rail history. What are the most unique train trips in South Carolina? If you’re into trains, you’ll be delighted by our Train-Themed Trip through South Carolina. From a scenic train ride, to a historic train restaurant and even a charming model train museum, this road trip promises to deliver a railfanning adventure appealing to everyone from little locomotive lovers to seasoned rail enthusiasts. Some of the highlights of this unique train day trip include the Rockton, Rion & Western, the Peak Trestle Bridge, Stumphouse Tunnel, and Central Railway Museum.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Train Day Trips In South Carolina
April 01, 2021
Sarah
What are the best day trips in South Carolina? If you enjoyed the above list of train day trips in South Carolina and are looking for more, you need check out these nine road trips you can take on just one tank of gas! South Carolina is just the perfect size to make it across the state on the average tank of gas. With no extended sightseeing stops it’s also very possible to make it all the way from the mountains to the sea in just one day, an excursion that ranks among the best road trips in South Carolina. One of the most scenic day trips in the state, Pretty Place Chapel is absolutely breathtaking. Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy is another picture-perfect spot that will make you fall in love with South Carolina all over again. And when you’re feeling hungry, Whiteford’s Giant Burger is a day trip in and of itself: stop for lunch at this landmark of a restaurant that’s been serving Laurens since way before Kennedy was in the Whitehouse. What are some scenic train trips in South Carolina? If there’s one place in the entire state where you can ride a train just for the sheer pleasure of it, it’s in Winnsboro. The Rockton, Rion and Western at the South Carolina Railroad Museum has one of the best train expeditions in the state, and will teach you a lot along the way. It’s a great train ride and experience is a non-profit volunteer effort to preserve some of South Carolina’s extensive rail history. What are the most unique train trips in South Carolina? If you’re into trains, you’ll be delighted by our Train-Themed Trip through South Carolina. From a scenic train ride, to a historic train restaurant and even a charming model train museum, this road trip promises to deliver a railfanning adventure appealing to everyone from little locomotive lovers to seasoned rail enthusiasts. Some of the highlights of this unique train day trip include the Rockton, Rion & Western, the Peak Trestle Bridge, Stumphouse Tunnel, and Central Railway Museum.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you enjoyed the above list of train day trips in South Carolina and are looking for more, you need check out these nine road trips you can take on just one tank of gas! South Carolina is just the perfect size to make it across the state on the average tank of gas. With no extended sightseeing stops it’s also very possible to make it all the way from the mountains to the sea in just one day, an excursion that ranks among the best road trips in South Carolina. One of the most scenic day trips in the state, Pretty Place Chapel is absolutely breathtaking. Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy is another picture-perfect spot that will make you fall in love with South Carolina all over again. And when you’re feeling hungry, Whiteford’s Giant Burger is a day trip in and of itself: stop for lunch at this landmark of a restaurant that’s been serving Laurens since way before Kennedy was in the Whitehouse.
What are some scenic train trips in South Carolina?
If there’s one place in the entire state where you can ride a train just for the sheer pleasure of it, it’s in Winnsboro. The Rockton, Rion and Western at the South Carolina Railroad Museum has one of the best train expeditions in the state, and will teach you a lot along the way. It’s a great train ride and experience is a non-profit volunteer effort to preserve some of South Carolina’s extensive rail history.
What are the most unique train trips in South Carolina?
If you’re into trains, you’ll be delighted by our Train-Themed Trip through South Carolina. From a scenic train ride, to a historic train restaurant and even a charming model train museum, this road trip promises to deliver a railfanning adventure appealing to everyone from little locomotive lovers to seasoned rail enthusiasts. Some of the highlights of this unique train day trip include the Rockton, Rion & Western, the Peak Trestle Bridge, Stumphouse Tunnel, and Central Railway Museum.
