Myrtle Beach international airport (MYR) serves more than 50 nonstop destinations through traditional and low-cost carriers, and it’s a major gateway for one of the southeast coast’s largest tourist destinations.
Having grown up vacationing here, I remember when passengers walked across the apron to board flights by stairs amid swaying palm trees. These days, the terminal is unrecognizable with 12 gates, and a major expansion project currently underway will add six more gates, bringing the total to 18. Here’s what you need to know when passing through.
Airline service
Eleven airlines serve MYR: Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Porter Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines and United Airlines. Service can be heavily seasonal, with winter seeing fewer flights than spring through fall.
Not all low-cost airlines (like Allegiant, Avelo and Southwest) appear on all booking engines. You’ll need to compare prices by visiting individual airline websites because you may find lower prices with these discount carriers only through their reservation systems.
How to get to or from MYR
If you’re not driving yourself, the airport has offices for all of the major rental car companies. One of the great perks of the rental car facility here is that the vehicles are within walking distance, so you don’t need to wait for a shuttle.
Myrtle Beach also has the usual network of taxis, rideshare services and limo companies. If you prefer to take public transportation, the Coast RTA Route 15S stops near the airport on Jetport Road. It goes up and down the Grand Strand, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re traveling with large suitcases.
Parking tips
MYR offers different parking lots with varying prices, and leaving a car here isn’t cheap. The airport is working to increase parking capacity and make more room for rental cars since they’re in high demand.
Short-term pickup is free for less than 15 minutes if you’re helping someone into the terminal. There’s also a cell phone lot for idling while waiting to pick someone up. Travelers eligible for disabled parking get one day free in short or long-term lots before standard rates kick in.
Word to the wise: some third-party operators charge for advance parking reservations. These may work for non-airport operated lots, but the airport itself doesn’t offer this service.
TSA security wait times
Wait times can be lengthy early in the morning when almost every gate has a plane waiting to depart. TSA PreCheck lanes help save time, and the airport website has real-time wait information.
I’ve breezed through the PreCheck line and other times waited 15 minutes or so. During those longer waits, the general line was taking some people as much as an hour. The number of flights has stretched terminal facilities thin at times, so check online to allow enough time.
This is an international airport with immigration and customs services for private flights. Flights from Canada undergo pre-clearance at the departure airport, so there’s no in-terminal immigration facility for arriving commercial flights yet. If flying to or from Canada, don’t forget your passport.
Terminals that are easy to navigate
You can walk from one end of the terminal to the other in just a few minutes, making navigation straightforward. The departure area is bathed in glass and offers far more space than before, with kiosks supplementing traditional check-in counters. Frequent travelers may notice that many passengers flying low-cost airlines are less familiar with check-in and bag rules, leading to longer lines.
You’ll find shops and food outlets throughout, so no matter the time of day, there’s something to fit every palate.
Airport dining options
MYR’s terminals offer fast food and grab-and-go options rather than gourmet fare. My favorite venue is Nacho Hippo Cantina Maxima for Tex-Mex dishes and margaritas in a sit-down restaurant.
Chick-fil-a is my reliable grab-and-go choice, though lines can get long. For something local, Pavilion Bar and Grill serves pizza, burgers and salads. I like that the bar serves craft beers from local breweries on tap.
I plan ahead and bring snacks through security rather than pay inflated airport prices. Several bars are available throughout. Salt & Tide has a nice mix of beer and wine choices.
Interesting airport amenities for travelers
MYR offers several standout amenities beyond typical airport features.
Quiet room
The quiet room (room #171 outside security) has accolades from the Champion Autism Network and provides a break from crowds for reading or meditation. The airport doesn’t allow sleeping, and staff discourage loud noise from devices.
Family activities
When traveling with kids, I love printing the scavenger hunt page from the airport website. It sends them through the terminal looking for things like someone drinking coffee or wearing a tie. There’s no prize other than healthy distraction for kids.
Mothers traveling with young children can use private mother’s rooms for privacy. One thing missing: there’s no luggage storage facility, which would be nice for hitting the beach during a delayed flight.
Visitor’s booth
Information booths in arrivals and near Gate A2 have tourism booklets and maps packed with coupons and special offers that can save quite a bit of cash.
What to do in a flight delay situation
MYR doesn’t normally offer connecting flights, but anyone arriving early has plenty to do within a short drive.
Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel is a short drive from the airport. This panoramic Ferris Wheel overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, the Boardwalk and Promenade, and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, making it the hub of family entertainment.
Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is less than 15 minutes in the other direction. This inland shopping paradise offers everything from cinemas and theater revue shows to restaurants and bars. You can easily spend a day here while your bags are locked in the trunk.
Golfer paradise
Golfers have come to the right place. Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand is often called the “Golf Capital of the World” with approximately 90 options in every category, from championship courses to themed mini-golf for families.
Free entertainment shuttle
During summer through Labor Day, a free entertainment shuttle runs between major attractions like Broadway at the Beach, the SkyWheel and some hotel areas (though it doesn’t stop at the airport).
Airport hotels
If you find yourself stranded due to a delayed or canceled flight, affordable overnight options near the airport include hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn Myrtle Beach/Coastal Grand Mall, which offers a shuttle to and from the terminal.
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.
