Top Charleston Bus Tours

Enjoy a time-saving way to explore one of the country’s most historic cities on this sightseeing bus tour of Charleston, South Carolina. Visit Rainbow Row, the longest stretch of Georgian row houses in the United States; the Old Exchange Building; White Point Garden, in the heart of the city's historic district; and more. You can also upgrade to include admission to the Joseph Manigault House or the Charleston Museum.

See the highlights of Charleston in comfort on this guided tour on a climate-controlled minibus. Learn more from your guide’s narration as you ride past must-see Charleston sights such as the Battery, the Citadel, Old City Market, and Hampton Park. Also enjoy spectacular views of Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, and the Sullivan Island Lighthouse from a distance. The express tour provides an ideal overview for first-time visitors to Charleston.

Learn all about more than 300 years of history on this guided carriage tour of Charleston. See the many mansions, churches, and gardens as your horse-drawn carriage tour covers more than 2.5 miles and 30 blocks of historic Charleston. Belgian and Percheron draft horses lead you through the streets while you learn about this “Holy City” and its role in the Civil War—leave your guidebook at home, these stories are better.

As you wind through the city, you will encounter many of the iconic sights, sounds, customs and stories that have shaped the low country of South Carolina and our nation over three centuries. Beyond the iconic points of interest, we will also explore little nuances that have created the character of this amazing city. The tour is expected to last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in total.

Magnolia Plantation sits well outside Charleston, which puts it out of reach without a car. This half-day tour includes round-trip transfers from the Charleston Visitor Center, and a guide who walks you through the plantation house on arrival. Choose either the nature train ride through the gardens or the boat trip along the Ashley River to finish.

You’re coming to Charleston and you want the best experience possible. You’re staying at a great hotel, you’ve made reservations at some of Charleston’s finest restraunts and you want to learn about this wonderful beautiful city, it’s rich history and you want to know what it’s like living here today. Historic Charleston Tours is a boutique tour guide company that specializes in small group and private tours. All of our guides are licensed by the city (no longer required in Charleston), but more importantly all of our guides live in the Old and Historic District. They can offer you interesting and amusing insights as to what it’s like living in this truly fascinating, historic neighborhood. Virtually no other tour guide company in Charleston can make such a claim. And if you have trouble walking or it's too hot we will drive you. Your choice. See why so many of Charleston’s finest hotels choose Historic Charleston Tours for their guests.

Discover the history and secrets of America's most historic city. Stories from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Pirate history of Charleston as well as some haunted areas as well.

Get all the thrills of a Charleston ghost tour without any walking on this haunted horse and carriage ride. A horse and carriage takes you down twisting side streets and cobbled alleyways with ease as your guide shares spooky stories from Charleston’s past. Make your way past the Mills House, the Circular Congregational Graveyard, and and Provost Dungeon in the heart of the Holy City.

Visiting both Middleton Place Plantation and Drayton Hall on the same tour offers travelers a richer and more complete perspective of Charleston’s history and heritage. Though located close to one another along the Ashley River, each site tells a very different story. Middleton Place is renowned for its breathtaking landscaped gardens, living history demonstrations, and preserved grounds that highlight the lifestyle and agricultural achievements of one of colonial America’s most influential families. In contrast, Drayton Hall is celebrated for its architectural purity as the finest example of Palladian design in the United States, preserved in its original 18th-century state without modern alterations. Together, these plantations allow visitors to experience both artistic beauty and architectural grandeur, while also engaging with the deeper historical narratives of the Low country, including the lives of the enslaved who made these estates possible.

Experience Charleston’s haunted history on a captivating one-hour ghost tour through the city’s most notorious locations. Travel in comfort aboard a climate-controlled passanger van, guided by an expert storyteller while a professional driver ensures a smooth, worry-free ride. With a small group of just nine guests, enjoy an intimate and engaging experience as you explore historic graveyards and ghostly landmarks, hearing chilling tales that bring Charleston's past to life.

Charleston is a wonderful city to walk around, though there’s no beating the Southern heat quite like a relaxed, air-conditioned ride. Join this bus tour for a comfortable cruise around Charleston’s best attractions. Pass by the Fort Sumter National Museum and Charleston City Market. Stop at the Battery & White Point Gardens for a photo op. See the Charleston Harbor where your guide’s family sailed into in 1740.

Visit the historic Middleton Place on a convenient half-day trip from Charleston with the only tour operator to offer this tour. Enjoy comfortable transit in a luxury van with a small group, a Southern lunch at Middleton Place Restaurant, and guided tours including the Beyond the Fields and garden tours of the remarkable plantation. There’s time for shopping and to see additional sights before returning to Charleston.

Charleston is such a relaxed city that it’s hard to believe that it’s much busier than the towns along the coast. Take an opportunity to leave the city streets for the shoreline during this private guided tour. You’ll visit the islands of the Charleston peninsula, first stopping at Folly Beach then visiting Sullivan’s Island. Throughout the tour, you’ll stop for photos at two lighthouses, a popular tourist beach, and a historic fort.

Experience Charleston and the surrounding area like a local with your own Private Guide Come explore one of the oldest cities in America with its historic homes, French Quarter, and beautiful waterfront. Then let us take you out to discover the charming Old Village in Mt. Pleasant. The tour will pause for a lunch break* in the middle of the day in either Downtown Charleston or Mt. Pleasant (guest's choice) before continuing on. In the afternoon, guests will tour either Boone Hall Plantation or the McLeod Historic Site - two historic and beautiful plantations near Charleston. Let us do the driving and show you the best Charleston has to offer - both inside and outside downtown! *cost of lunch not included in tour price

This private sightseeing tour of Charleston offers a local perspective on this charming city in the South. Beat the crowds of bus tours and go where carriage rides can’t as your licensed guide drives you around the peninsula in the comfort of a private vehicle. As you drive past top sights like Waterfront Park and the Battery, hear stories of Charleston history and culture in the Holy City.

Spend the day outside of Charleston and discover the trees, tea, and wines of Wadmalaw Island. Travel by luxury minivan and admire the island’s majestic trees at Angel Oak Park before enjoying a trolley tour and unlimited tea at Charleston Tea Garden. Finally, explore the vineyards and enjoy wine tasting at Deep Water Vineyard.

History comes alive on this combo tour. The tapestry of the city history is presented in a passionate, well rounded way. We believe history is history, the good, the bad and the ugly of it. After this tour, you will never think of Charleston the same way again. When you are done touring the house, you will stroll, at your leisure, through the oak canopied Wragg Mall on your short walk back to the Charleston Visitors Center. The tour is expected to last approximately 3 hours in total.

Getting to the Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park is difficult without a car. Don't worry about hiring a vehicle or booking a taxi with this bus tour. Skip the hassle of parking at this event and spend more time admiring the festive lights. Keep your energy levels up with included snacks and light refreshments. Perfect for anyone looking to get into the holiday spirit.

A combination of two of the historic museums in Charleston. The Aiken-Rhett House offers an intimate, visceral encounter with the human stories and social structures that shaped the city, while the Charleston Museum provides a broader, comprehensive understanding of its pivotal role in American history. Together, they offer a nuanced and unforgettable perspective that will deepen your appreciation for this remarkable city. The museum is a great way to immerse yourself in all things Charleston. It is just half a block from the Aiken-Rhett House and just across the street from the Charleston Visitors Center. The tour is expected to last approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes in total.

Our Private Driving Tour offers guests the ultimate personalized experience in Charleston. Traveling in comfort and style aboard our premium Nissan Armada SUV, guests enjoy a spacious, climate-controlled ride with panoramic views of the city's historic beauty. What sets our tour apart is complete customization. Whether guests are interested in Charleston’s rich history, architecture, Gullah culture, Civil War landmarks, or hidden local gems, the itinerary is tailored entirely to their interests and pace. This flexibility allows for a deeper, more meaningful connection to the city without the crowds or rigid schedules of group tours. With professional, knowledgeable guides and luxury-level service, our Private Driving Tour is the ideal choice for travelers seeking an unforgettable, curated Charleston experience.

Chicora Tours is the only tour company in Charleston that provides this experience of Drayton Hall Plantation. We take pride in being able to show our guests the oldest and most authentic plantation house in Charleston. Drayton Hall is one of the most beautiful, historic and aesthetically pleasing places in the entire Charleston area. Whether you are a history buff, a photographer or an architectural enthusiast, Drayton Hall has something to offer anybody who can appreciate one of the most astounding sites in Charleston.

Go beyond the standard walking tours of downtown and explore more of the Charleston Lowcountry on this extensive van tour. Your guide will show you a comprehensive view of Charleston, from Charlotte Street to the beaches and lighthouses along the coast. You’ll visit over a dozen different sites, including Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Drayton Hall, and the Folly Beach Fishing Pier. You’ll even ride a water taxi between downtown and Hog Island. Note: this is an active tour; expect a few long walks, sand dunes, and steps.

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