Amtrak Vacations · Independent rail vacation

Charleston and Savannah Roundtrip from Chicago

8-day roundtrip rail vacation from Chicago to Charleston and Savannah

Charleston and Savannah Roundtrip from Chicago, a rail journey with Amtrak Vacations

Amtrak Vacations operates this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation roundtrip from Chicago to Charleston and Savannah, changing trains in Washington, DC on the Capitol Limited, Silver Meteor, and Palmetto. Travellers spend nights onboard the train on the outbound and return legs and 5 nights in hotels along the way. Charleston gets three nights, including a free day to explore on your own, a guided city tour past Rainbow Row and the Citadel, and a tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens along the Ashley River. An evening train covers the short hop to Savannah, where a hop-on, hop-off tour and a harbor cruise fill a full day of sightseeing before the return trip north. Because hotels are chosen from a list of 18 options across the three cities, this suits independent travellers who enjoy history and guided sightseeing but want to set their own pace on free days.

What to know before you look closer

  • The trip lists 18 accommodation options across Chicago, Charleston, and Savannah rather than one fixed hotel per city, so which property you get depends on the tier you choose.
  • Only 1 meal (a single dinner) is included across the 8 days; other meals are on your own.
  • The outbound and return trains both change in Washington, DC, so this route involves a connection each way rather than a single through train.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Chicago to Charleston

    Take the train overnight from Chicago to Charleston, with a changeover in Washington, DC.

  2. Day 2overnight: Charleston

    Charleston, SC

    Welcome to Charleston! Check-in to your hotel in Charleston and begin to experience this beautiful, historic city. Today is free for you to explore the city on your own. Perhaps you want to stroll down to the Battery and enjoy a walk along the pier. Or you could head over to the open market for some shopping. There is plenty to do and see in this waterfront city.

  3. Day 3overnight: Charleston

    Charleston, SC

    Today you will explore Charleston on a guided tour of the city! Your tour will bring you to some of Charleston's top attractions, including the Joseph Manigault Mansion, the very popular Rainbow Row where you will see many historic houses painted in festive, pastel colors, and the city's military college, the Citadel. Your full day of historic sightseeing will explore the best of what Charleston has to offer.

  4. Day 4overnight: Charleston

    Charleston, SC

    This morning you will depart for a comprehensive tour of one of the oldest Southern plantations, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Your guided tour will take you to the historic Magnolia Plantation House that rests along the Ashley River. Along with the tour of the house, you will enjoy a ride past the Audubon Swamp inhabited by alligators, egrets, and other native wildlife. Between the Magnolia Plantation House and the swamps, this tour will give you a unique blend of history and nature! Tonight, you will enjoy dinner at a popular restaurant.

    Meals: D

  5. Day 5overnight: Savannah

    Charleston to Savannah

    Today you will have a free morning to enjoy Charleston on your own, then this evening board Amtrak for a short ride down to Savannah! Upon arrival check-in to your hotel and settle in for the night. Tomorrow you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing around Savannah.

  6. Day 6overnight: Savannah

    Savannah, GA

    Today you will have a full day of sightseeing in Savannah! A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour will guide you to Savannah's top attractions. Visit the Davenport House, the scenic Forsyth Park, and the world-famous River Street with its outdoor entertainment as well as many shops and places to eat. This afternoon you will board a riverboat for a sightseeing cruise of Savannah's harbor. A leisurely hour-long cruise will allow you to take in beautiful views from the open-air third-level deck of the boat.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Onboard Amtrak

    Savannah to Chicago

    Enjoy your final day in Savannah before boarding the train this evening for your return journey to Chicago, with a changeover in Washington, DC.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Chicago

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board Amtrak's Capitol Limited in Chicago for the overnight journey to Charleston, changing trains in Washington, DC.
  • Day 3A guided city tour of Charleston visits the Joseph Manigault Mansion, Rainbow Row, and the Citadel.
  • Day 4A guided tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens along the Ashley River passes the Audubon Swamp, home to alligators and egrets.
  • Day 6A hop-on, hop-off tour of Savannah stops at the Davenport House, Forsyth Park, and River Street, followed by an hour-long harbor cruise.

Included

  • Roundtrip Amtrak® in Coach accommodations from Chicago to Washington, DC on the Capitol Limited®; Washington, DC to Charleston on the Silver Meteor®; Charleston to Savannah onboard the Palmetto®
  • 5 nights' hotel accommodations
  • 3 nights onboard Amtrak
  • 1 meal included (1 dinner)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Roundtrip Amtrak travel in Coach class from Chicago to Washington, DC on the Capitol Limited, Washington, DC to Charleston on the Silver Meteor, and Charleston to Savannah on the Palmetto is included.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is sold as an independent rail vacation, though the Charleston city tour, the Magnolia Plantation tour, and the Savannah hop-on, hop-off tour are guided.
Which trains are used?
Amtrak's Capitol Limited, Silver Meteor, and Palmetto trains, all in Coach class, with the route changing trains in Washington, DC.
What hotels are used?
The package offers 18 accommodation options across Chicago, Charleston, and Savannah, including hotels such as the Palmer House in Chicago and Hotel Bennett in Charleston; the exact hotel depends on the tier you select.
What is not included?
Only 1 dinner is included; other meals are on your own.
How much walking is involved?
The Charleston city tour, the Magnolia Plantation tour, and the Savannah hop-on, hop-off tour all involve guided sightseeing on foot.

Similar journeys, different answers