Charleston Airport Transportation
See the transportation options at Charleston Airport:
Bus
Charleston International Airport (CHS) offers convenient bus transportation to downtown and other key areas via the CARTA (Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority) system. The main bus stop is located just outside the terminal, near the passenger pick-up and car rental area-simply follow airport signs for public transportation or "CARTA".
The primary route serving the airport is CARTA Route 11 (Dorchester/Airport), which connects CHS directly to downtown Charleston, including stops at North Charleston, Tanger Outlets, and the city’s Visitor Center on Meeting St./Mary St. in the heart of downtown. Buses run approximately every 30 minutes, and the journey to downtown takes about 50–65 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
CARTA buses only accept cash, and drivers cannot provide change-make sure to have the exact fare ready. The standard fare is $2 per person, making this the most economical way to reach the city center.
Other notable routes include the X4 Express, which also serves the airport and operates hourly, offering a faster ride with fewer stops. Both lines are popular with visitors and locals, especially those staying in North Charleston or near the outlet malls.
If you’re traveling with lots of luggage, be prepared to manage your bags yourself, as there is no dedicated luggage storage on the bus.
To get to downtown Charleston, simply board Route 11 at the airport stop and ride to the Transit Mall or Visitor Center. From there, you can walk or transfer to other local buses or DASH shuttles to reach your final destination.
For real-time schedules and route planning, visit the CARTA website or use Google Maps with your destination set to downtown Charleston.
In summary, the CARTA bus is a reliable, budget-friendly option for getting from Charleston Airport to the city center and nearby attractions, especially for solo travelers or those without excessive baggage.
Taxi
A taxi ride to Charleston city centre takes 20 to 25 minutes.
taxi Location
Taxi services are located in the center median just outside the Baggage Claim area. After collecting your luggage, follow signs to the ground transportation area where a taxi dispatcher will assist you
taxi Companies
See the taxi companies at Charleston Airport:
Charleston Cab Company: +1 843 566 5757
Charleston Green Taxi: +1 843 819 0846
Yellow Cab of Charleston: +1 843 577 6565
Charleston SC Taxi: +1 800 750 1311
Service hours: 24/7.
Luggage: Taxi drivers will assist with your luggage, but if you have a large group or excessive bags, consider requesting a larger vehicle or a shuttle service
taxi rates
Downtown Charleston:
To Citadel: 29$
To MUSC: 29$
To Francis Marion Hotel: 30$
To Charleston Place: 31$
To South Carolina Aquarium: 31$
To Corner of King and Broad streets: 34$
To College of Charleston, George Street: 33$
West Ashley Area:
To Citadel Mall: 7,4 miles, 19$
To St. Andrews Shopping Center: 10,3 miles, 26$
To Holiday Inn Riverview: 30$
To Middleton Place: 45$
James Island and Resorts:
To Harris teeter, Folly Road: 35$
To Fort Johnson Road: 43$
To Oak Island Drive: 49$
To Folly Beach: 51$
North Area:
To AMTRAK: 14$
To Hanahan: 11$
To Greyhound: 14$
To Northwoods Mall: 18$
To Otranto: 23$
To Tanger Outlet: 10,50$
To Trident Hospital: 27$
*Prices may change.
Minimum Fare: Taxis from CHS have a minimum fare of around $17 to downtown Charleston or nearby destinations. The trip to downtown usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic
Taxis are metered at 2,52$ per mile up to two passengers. For three or more passengers a fee of 14$ per passenger will be charged.
All taxis accept MasterCard, American Express, VISA and Discover credit cards.
Ridesharing services
Ridesharing Applications such Lyft and Uber work in Charleston Airport.
transfers
If you want private transportation and from Charleston Airport, you can book a transfer.
Car rental
To rent a car in Charleston Airport is a great idea to travel around.
Find your best option with our search engine.
See more information