Charleston International Airport
South Carolina’s main airport is located just outside of Charleston, but it handles a mere 2.5 million travelers annually. Most passengers use the airport for quick access to the beaches of Hilton Head or trips to Charleston itself. American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and US Airways are the carriers with regular service into Charleston. Atlanta is the busiest route, followed by Charlotte, Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Washington DC, and Philadelphia.
The single terminal has only basic amenities for passengers, with a couple of snack bars, a food court, and branches of Hudson News for travel sundries and reading material. ATMs are situated right by the main terminal entrance and traveler information desk.
Ground transportation is provided mainly by a fleet of taxis and shared shuttles that use a fixed fare system to common destinations in the area. The local Charleston public bus also runs a line directly between the airport and the downtown area, but most travelers opt for a rental car from one of the five major car rental firms at the airport including Avis, Budget, and Hertz. The airport is located minutes from Charleston and less than an hour from seaside resorts like Hilton Head by car.
Myrtle Beach International Airport
South Carolina’s other popular airport is situated minutes from the seaside resort town of Myrtle Beach. Each year, nearly one million passengers fly into Myrtle Beach, primarily to stay along the Grand Strand coast. Allegiant Air, Delta, Spirit Airlines, United, US Airways, and Vision Airlines provide regular and seasonal service into Myrtle Beach. Spirit Airways carries the majority of passengers, with Charlotte the busiest route followed by New York, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Detroit, and Boston.
The small but modern terminal has just enough amenities to ensure a comfortable journey. Samuel Adams Brew House provides food and beer, while Subway and Pizza Hut offer fast food dining. Hudson News is the sole gift shop with a comprehensive selection of useful items for sale.
Transportation is provided by public bus, taxis, and shared shuttles. Most major hotels and resorts in the area have courtesy shuttles for their guests, so check with your hotel. There are also nine major car rental companies at the airport, including Thrifty, National, and Hertz. Driving from the airport to anywhere along the Grand Strand coast is quick and easy.