Top Charleston Bus Tours

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.

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.

Explore the enchanting Magnolia Plantation, a gem in the heart of the Lowcountry. This tour takes you to the historic estate, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Magnolia House, rich in Southern heritage. With options for a Nature Train Tour through beautiful gardens or a Wildlife Boat Tour on the Ashley River, there's something for everyone. Unwind on six miles of picturesque trails, wander through the Audubon Swamp Garden, and learn about the fascinating history of the plantation. A perfect day out for nature lovers and history buffs alike. - Round-trip transport from Charleston Visitor Center in luxury minibuses - Guided tour of the Magnolia Plantation House and exclusive Nature Train or Boat Tour - Discover six miles of scenic walking and biking trails and the Wildlife Center - Immerse yourself in the history of the plantation dating back to 1676

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.

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.

Travel back in time to discover one of America’s most historic cities—Charleston, South Carolina—on this guided walking tour. Visit points of interest including Charleston City Hall; the Dock Street Theatre, America’s first theatre; the Old Exchange Building, South Carolina's most historic building; White Point Garden, in the heart of Charleston’s historic district with a spectacular view of Fort Sumter, and many more.

Experience Charleston on a relaxed 1.5-hour small-group city tour designed for comfort and storytelling. Tours are limited to just 12 guests, offering a more personal experience than the large tour buses commonly seen around the city. Travel through Charleston’s most iconic neighborhoods with a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city’s history to life. See Rainbow Row, the waterfront mansions along The Battery, the oak-lined streets of South of Broad, the French Quarter, historic churches, cobblestone alleys, and the College of Charleston campus. You will also pass the Four Corners of Law, one of the city’s most significant landmarks. Routes and sites visited may vary daily due to traffic, weather, or special events. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, couples, and travelers seeking a smooth, informative overview of Charleston in a smaller group setting.

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.

Pickup and drop-off from downtown Charleston, South Carolina make it easy to tour Magnolia Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in the South. This 4-in-1 tour includes a narrated drive out to the plantation, a walking tour of the garden, tram tour through the property, and tour of the house itself, providing incredible value.

Visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens on this 4.5-hour tour from Charleston, South Carolina. One of the oldest working plantations in the United States, Boone Hall was founded in 1681 and still grows crops. During your tour led by a guide in period costume, you'll see the plantation's slave quarters and learn about its history and modern-day use. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking. Enjoy a personalized experience on this small-group tour of just 15 people.

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.

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.

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.

We are the only experience in Charleston led by a full-blooded Gullah Geechee Indian historian, Chief Godfrey Gullah JacK BlacK. While others stick to a sanitized script, we provide the raw, unfiltered, unscripted truth of America’s #1 slave-trading concentration camp. We reveal the ancient secrets of the people who built the Holy City’s economy. Your journey dives deep into the lives of enslaved builders, wealthy Black landowners, and resilient people. You will hear the Gullah Hebrew language and stand on the very ground where history was made. This is more than a tour—it's an eye-opening confrontation with the past. We offer a nuanced, deeply personal perspective you won't find anywhere else. From Indians to Negroes to Black, we trace the bloodline and the survival of a culture that still breathes today. Once you see the real Charleston through your eyes, you can never unsee it.

See the historical sights of Charleston on a walking tour with a guide who tells you about the city's long history. You'll wander along narrow streets and alleys, passing by antebellum homes and other attractions as you listen to stories about Charleston's past 300 years.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting sights of the Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights on this magical trolley tour. Starting from the Charleston Visitor Information Center, enjoy a scenic ride to James Island, where over 700 dazzling displays and 2 million twinkling lights await. After a 40-minute drive, you'll have 1.5 hours to roam the festival, savor delicious holiday treats, shop for unique souvenirs, and even meet Santa Claus. For added fun, hop on the Festival Express train or join a Reindeer Workshop to create your own furry friend. - Enjoy a 3.5-hour holiday experience with a festive surprise gift for each passenger. - Explore the festival at your own pace after the bus tour. - Ideal for families and holiday enthusiasts, with activities for all ages. - Daily departures at 5pm from the Charleston Visitor Information Center located at 375 Meeting Street.

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.

What sets your tour apart isn’t just where we go—it’s who leads the way. We are proud to be the only tour in Charleston led by a full-blooded Gullah Geechee Indian, Chief Godfrey Gullah Jack. This isn’t a scripted performance; it’s a "Truth Offensive." While other tours might offer a polished version of the past, we provide the raw, unfiltered, and deeply accurate history of the Gullah Geechee people and Charleston’s slave trade. We dive into the untold stories of African American slaves, master craftsmen, and influential landowners, bringing to light the legacy that built this city. You’ll hear the Gullah language spoken by a native voice and experience the vibrant culture that has survived for centuries. We don’t just show you landmarks; we offer a profound connection to the spirit of resilience and redemption. If you want a genuine, educational, and transformative look at the real Charleston, this is the only tour that delivers it. Don’t settle for the surface.

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.

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.

Beat the heat while touring Charleston on this minibus tour. Relax and ride in comfort as your driver takes you to top Charleston sights such as Colonial Lake, Rainbow Row, and Whitepoint Gardens. As a bonus, this tour includes admission to the Charleston Museum—visit the downtown location on your own schedule.

Magnolia Plantation has been in Drayton family hands since 1676, and its Romantic-style gardens are among the oldest in America still open to visitors. This small-group full-day trip covers three guided experiences at the site: a tour of the historic house, a nature train ride through the gardens and cypress swamps, and the Slavery to Freedom tour, which follows the lives of the people enslaved there.