Charleston International Airport (CHS) is South Carolina’s busiest airport by enplanements, operating as a joint-use civil-military airport despite sharing runways with the US Air Force. This unique setup, dating back to its military roots in World War II and the Korean War, creates an efficient travel experience. These expert tips will have you flying through CHS with ease next time you pass through.
Getting to and from CHS by car
Rideshares like Uber or Lyft are a solid option for getting to and from CHS. Both take about 20 minutes to reach Downtown in normal traffic, and I’ve found them noticeably less expensive than taxis on multiple occasions. Rideshare pickup is at a covered shelter across both roadways and to the right of the last sidewalk outside baggage claim.
Taxis are available if you prefer them, though they’re more expensive than rideshares. What I like about taxi service here is that they charge a $17 minimum and a dispatcher quotes your fare based on your destination, so your total won’t be affected by traffic or delays. Follow signs to the taxi center in the center median outside baggage claim and provide your destination address to a greeter at the ground transportation booth.
Several popular rental car agencies operate at the Rental Car Pavilion at the end of the terminal past baggage claim, with lots conveniently located on Level 1 of the parking deck via covered walkways. Because Charleston area attractions are spread out, renting cars is popular here, and I’ve found long lines for rental check-in on multiple occasions.
Here’s my insider tip: go straight to the rental counter after deplaning, even if you have checked bags. This gets you ahead of everyone waiting at baggage claim and can save significant time. Your bags will still be there afterward, or if you’re with someone else, split up and conquer both at the same time.
Using public transportation at CHS
Charleston International Airport is only 12 miles from Downtown Charleston, but don’t expect a quick trip on the Airport Express bus. CARTA buses pick up from a convenient covered shelter outside baggage claim, and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
The bus is cheap, so hop on if you have time to spare. The Airport Express (Route 4) operates as a direct service connecting the Airport, Tanger Outlets, and Downtown Charleston, making it a straightforward option for budget-conscious travelers. If you need to transfer to another route, you’ll pay just a $0.50 transfer fee (purchased when boarding your first bus) rather than a full second ticket.
Parking at CHS
CHS offers four self-parking options, all a short walk from the terminal: hourly garage ($21/day), daily garage ($17/day), economy lot ($13/day) and an overflow lot when needed. If you’re parking overnight, use the daily garage (staying overnight in hourly costs more). The economy lot saves about 24% off the daily garage rate, but I prefer the 24-hour security of the garages.
Curbside valet parking is worth considering if you have lots of luggage or are running late. At $25 per day, it’s $8 more than the daily garage rate but lets you leave your car at the terminal entrance with no wait and no walk. They deliver your car on return, and for this convenience, I find it worthwhile even when I’m not late.
Security lines at CHS
CHS recommends arriving at least 90 minutes to two hours before your flight (conventional wisdom suggests 2 hours for domestic, 3 for international). Because this airport is on the smaller side, you’ll often breeze through security in 15 minutes or less (in fact, TSA data shows 80% of travelers wait 15 minutes or less, as I always have). But I urge you not to take advantage of this and still show up at the recommended time. Charleston flights are nearly always full and booked out for days, so a missed flight can mean several days waiting for the next available seat.
CLEAR membership isn’t yet available at CHS, but don’t worry. Because lines are so short here, I’ve found that just going through the TSA PreCheck lane typically ensures just a few minutes in line anyway.
Lounges at CHS
Airline elites may be disappointed to learn that there are no airline-specific lounges at Charleston International Airport, but there is another option. The Club CHS is an airport lounge available to Priority Pass members and anyone willing to pay for a $60 day pass. It can seat up to 100 customers and can fill up fast, but I haven’t been turned away yet.
I personally don’t find this lounge worth the day pass fee, as it doesn’t offer much beyond snacks and canned drinks. It’s certainly worth it for the comfortable seating and calmer atmosphere if you have free access with Priority Pass, though. It’s on par with most Priority Pass-accessible lounges, which are less luxurious than some airline or Centurion Lounges.
Free Wi-Fi at CHS
There is unlimited free Wi-Fi at Charleston International Airport (network: CHSFREEWIFI), and I’ve always found the signal to be strong in both the check-in area and the concourses. Even better, you’ll find 2,000 available electrical outlets and USB ports for keeping your devices charged, so you can almost always find an open one if you need it.
Things to do during a layover at CHS
This tiny airport doesn’t have many entertainment options. There are a few typical airport shops and places to grab a meal or drink if you need to pass some time, but nothing to spend several hours on. It’s tempting to head into the nearby city, but if your layover is 2 hours or under, it’s not worth the risk of bad traffic on your return.
Fortunately, Tanger Outlets are located adjacent to the airport near the I-26/I-526 interchange. This sprawling shopping and dining complex offers better bites and more varied window shopping. Don’t do too much actual shopping, though, as you’ll need to carryon your new purchases. I love to go here even for a more intriguing walk, and use an inexpensive rideshare for the short distance.
Service animal relief areas at CHS
Charleston International Airport has three animal relief areas: two outside (one near each end of the terminal) for quick bathroom breaks before or after long car rides, and one near gate A2 after security. Don’t worry if your gate is in concourse B. Both concourses are connected airside and relatively small, so you’re never far from a puppy potty break.
Speaking of dogs, among my favorite sights at CHS are the pooches in the “Paws for Takeoff” pet therapy program. Pups and their handlers can often be found in the concourses visiting with anxious passengers to provide some calm and distraction. To avoid interfering with a working service animal, be sure to ask before approaching any dog you see, and look for the program badge worn by all dog therapy handlers here.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
