TourTruth score 9.0 out of 10
Charleston Lowcountry Sightseeing Tour 5 hr 30 min
Top 7% · 5 hrs 30 min · 228 reviews
from $149
2 providers
Photo 1 / 6
Charleston Magnolia Plantation Day Trip 5.5 hr
TourTruth score 6.3 out of 10
Average
83 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Charleston
- 6 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Explore Magnolia’s gardens, house, and layered history on a Charleston day trip with round-trip transportation and guided tours.
About this tour
Travel from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation for a day among Lowcountry gardens, wetlands, and layered history. This Charleston Magnolia Plantation Day Trip includes round-trip transportation and admission, so you can focus on the experience rather than the drive. One variant departs from the Charleston Visitors Center in an air-conditioned vehicle, with groups capped at 12 guests.
Explore the romantic-style gardens and grounds, then join guided tours of the historic plantation house and the Slavery to Freedom experience, which shares the stories of enslaved people who lived and worked on the property. A Nature Train ride takes you through wetlands and former rice country, where guides discuss the landscape and wildlife. On one variant, you can choose a Wildlife Boat Tour instead and look for marsh birds and other wildlife along the Ashley River. Tour schedules vary, but the listed experiences are planned to leave time for the gardens, gift shop, or a meal at the Peacock Cafe.
With transportation, admission, and guided experiences arranged, this Charleston Magnolia Plantation Day Trip offers an easy way to see the estate’s highlights. Choose the available variant that suits your plans and enjoy a full day in the Lowcountry.
Highlights
- Ride the Nature Train through wetlands and former rice country
- Explore Magnolia’s romantic-style gardens and historic grounds
- Step inside the plantation house on a guided tour
- Hear the history of enslaved people on the Slavery to Freedom Tour
- Choose a Nature Train ride or Wildlife Boat Tour on one variant
What's included
Included
- Round-trip transportation from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry to Magnolia Plantation
- Guided Magnolia Plantation house tour
- Guided Slavery to Freedom Tour
- Guided Nature Train tour
- Wildlife Boat Tour tickets on one variant
- Time to visit the gardens, grounds, gift shop, or Peacock Cafe
- All fees and taxes
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch and snacks
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
-
View on ViatorViator
4.65 / 5 · 81 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
4.48 / 5 · 2 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Common complaints
Important information
- Meet at the Charleston Visitors Center, 375 Meeting Street; pickup is on the bus-shed side
- One variant departs at 9:30 AM and returns at approximately 4:00 PM; arrive by 10:15 AM for parking and restrooms
- Nature Train or Wildlife Boat Tour availability varies by variant; tour times may vary
- Seating is first-come, first-served on one variant
Show 7 moreShow less
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Service animals are allowed
- Pets, smoking, vaping, alcohol, drugs, food, and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle
- Non-folding wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and non-folding strollers are not permitted
- Unaccompanied minors are not permitted
- Wear comfortable shoes
Frequently asked questions
How long is the tour?
The listed durations are 5.5 and 6.5 hours, depending on the variant.
Where is the pickup point?
Pickup is at the bus-shed side of the Charleston Visitors Center at 375 Meeting Street.
What tours are included?
The experience includes guided house and Slavery to Freedom tours, plus a Nature Train tour. One variant offers a choice between the Nature Train and Wildlife Boat Tour.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and snacks are at your own expense; the Peacock Cafe is available during free time.
Can I cancel for free?
One variant offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. A full refund is also stated for cancellations due to force majeure.
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.65 on Viator and 4.48 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Charleston
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 6.3.
Provider rating distribution in Charleston
How many tours in Charleston have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
0
100
200
300
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5.0
4.5
4.7
- GetYourGuide
- Viator
More Day Trips & Excursions in Charleston
TourTruth score 9.0 out of 10
TourTruth score 7.9 out of 10
TourTruth score 7.9 out of 10
Charleston Middleton Place Excursion and Low Country Cuisine 4.5 hr
Top 30% · 4 hrs 30 min · 26 reviews
from $115
1 provider
TourTruth score 7.1 out of 10
Charleston Middleton Place Guided Tour with Lunch 5.5 hr
5 hrs 30 min · 1 review
from $148
1 provider
TourTruth score 7.0 out of 10
TourTruth score 6.9 out of 10
Charleston Magnolia Plantation and City Bus Tour 7.5 hr
7 hrs 30 min · 6 reviews
from $125
1 provider
from $110
on Viator · GetYourGuide $110