Transportation To & From Charleston Airport
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is situated 12 miles northwest of downtown Charleston, in the separately-incorporated city of North Charleston, with several transport options available to the historic downtown, local hotels and to nearby barrier islands and resorts.
Both taxi and rideshare transportation (Uber and Lyft) are available from the airport, with travel to downtown Charleston starting at around $25. A shuttle is also available, which provides a cheaper alternative for solo travelers.
The cheapest way to travel to and from the airport is by bus. Charleston’s bus network provides public transportation from the airport to downtown, and beyond via connecting services.
Alternatively, car rental services are also available, with a range of rental agencies operating at Charleston Airport.
The airport address is 5500 International Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29418. See on map
See also:
Taxi, Rideshare & Shuttle
Taxi
The minimum taxi fare from Charleston Airport is $15. The pick-up area is outside the baggage claim area.
Typical taxi fares from Charleston Airport to local destinations are as follows, excluding gratuity:
- Downtown – $42
- Amtrak/Greyhound – $23
- Folly Beach – $60
- Edisto Beach – $132
- Sullivan’s Island – $60
- Isle of Palms – $70
- Patriots Point – $46
Uber & Lyft
Ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft also offer services to and from Charleston’s airport. Follow the rideshare signs from the baggage claim area. The basic fare with Uber or Lyft may increase substantially in the case of surge pricing.
Typical basic Uber or Lyft fares from Charleston Airport to local destinations are as follows (the first fare is for the standard service, the second for XL):
- Downtown – $23/$35
- Amtrak/Greyhound – $14/$18
- Folly Beach – $35/$55
- Edisto Beach – $81/$134
- Sullivan’s Island – $33/$52
- Isle of Palms – $39/$62
- Patriots Point – $25/$39
Shuttle
Shared-ride shuttles are not currently operating to or from Charleston Airport on account of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Car Rental
Car rental services are available at Charleston Airport. Current companies operating at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National.
See contact details of car rental agencies at Charleston International Airport
Public Transit
The cheapest way of getting to downtown Charleston from the airport is on the local public bus network, although this travel option is only available during regular daytime and evening hours. Charleston Airport is currently served by Route 11 - Dorchester/Airport.
The route terminates at the downtown Meeting Street Visitors Center, where connections to other area bus services (both fare-free and paid) are available.
The airport bus stop is located outside of the baggage claim area (see the airport terminal map).
Route 11 – Dorchester/Airport
CARTA’s Route 11 - Dorchester/Airport provides daily services from Charleston International Airport to the Meeting Street Visitors Center. From there, connections are available onto other CARTA services (more about obtaining transfers on Charleston buses).
A peculiarity of this route is that the northbound service follows a different route to the southbound service, and does not include a stop at the airport. Northbound buses terminate at the Tanger Outlets stop in North Charleston. Only the southbound service, which originates at Tanger Outlets, includes a stop at the airport.
Please note that 50¢ transfers do not usually apply to opposite-direction journeys on the same route. You may have to buy a new ticket to complete your journey if you intend to travel from downtown on the northbound Route 11 bus and then transfer onto the southbound Route 11 bus (usually the same vehicle) to the airport.
Weekdays, buses run every 40-50 minutes. The first departure from the airport is at 6:49am, the last at 8:10pm. Saturdays, buses are every 40 minutes with the first departure at 7:39am and the last at 8:19pm. Sundays, buses are every hour with the first departure from the airport at 10:08am and the last at 7:08pm.
Expected journey time from the airport to the Meeting Street Visitors Center is 40-60 minutes depending on time of day. The fare is $2 per person.