5 Incredible South Carolina Day Trips You Can Take by Train

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 day trips by train dish up some fun and engaging agendas perfect for a single-day excursion from the Palmetto State. Consider one of these scenic train rides in South Carolina for your bucket list; they are unique and memorable experiences.

1. Charleston to Savannah, GA

How about taking South Carolina train day trips from Charleston? You can hop on a train and head to Savannah, Georgia, on Amtrak's Silver Meteor for a day in the Garden City. When you arrive, you can begin your day by exploring the many beautiful squares that make up this historic and picture-perfect Georgia city. Then, hit the famous River Street, a must-see, before heading back to Charleston on the train.

Search for your train on the Amtrak website. Enter CHS for the departure city and SAV for the arrival city. Then, reverse that search for the ticket(s) to return to Charleston.

2. Columbia to Raleigh, NC

One of the neatest train rides in S.C. is on Amtrak's Silver Star from one Carolina capital city to another. If you want to bring your own wheels, Amtrak has expanded "bike service" available. Once you arrive in Raleigh, have a bite to eat and then head over to historic Yates Mill County Park for a scenic hike before heading back to Columbia later in the evening. This may just be one of the best Amtrak day trips in South Carolina!

Search for your train on the Amtrak website. Enter CLB for the departure city and RGH for the arrival city. Then, reverse that search for the ticket(s) to return back to Columbia.

You can check out this tour of the Columbia Amtrak station before your trip:

3. Yemassee to Charleston

This short excursion is a perfect day trip with the kids. It's just one idea for things to do in SC that will cure their boredom! You can grab a rideshare into the historic district and get dropped off at Charleston's Waterfront Park. Afterward, head down the street to the South Carolina Aquarium before returning to the train and the historic depot in Yemassee.

Search for your train on the Amtrak website. Enter YEM for the departure city and CHS for the arrival city. Then, reverse the search for the ticket(s) and return to Yemassee. We think you'll enjoy this ride, especially since it's one of the most family-friendly train trips in SC!

4. Charleston to Florence

Gather up the family for a fun train excursion from Charleston to Florence that they won't soon forget! When you get off the train in Florence, there are several family-friendly restaurants where you can have lunch and explore some shops. There are also several parks in town to explore while you wait for the late afternoon train back to Charleston.

Search for your train on the Amtrak website. Enter CHS for the departure city and FLO for the arrival city. Then, reverse that search for the ticket(s) and return to Charleston.

5. Winnsboro scenic ride on the historic Rockton, Rion & Western

Head to the South Carolina Railroad Museum to enjoy a 10-mile, 70-minute loop and the beautiful countryside of the Carolina Sandhills while aboard the Rockton, Rion & Western. This is one of the best train trips in SC. More information, including tickets, dates, and times, is available at the South Carolina Railroad Museum website.

Editor's 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. That's the only reason the Upstate is not on this list.

Trains can be a fun way to travel and see the countryside. You'll have a blast planning and taking one of these day trips by train in SC. Which South Carolina train day trips would you enjoy most and why?

Want to see some more day trips in the Palmetto State? Here are 15 Amazing Day Trips In South Carolina. And if you find yourself in Charleston, consider taking Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour—you can book it on Viator!