Getting around · Charleston · United States
Getting around Charleston
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brian Stansberry, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
The historic peninsula is compact and flat: the walk from the Battery to Marion Square is about 2 km. Walking covers almost all downtown sights, with free DASH shuttles, pedicabs and ride-hailing filling the gaps; beaches, plantations and Mount Pleasant need a car or tour. Not for downtown, where walking, DASH and pedicabs cover everything and parking is costly.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- CHS
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- Historic Charleston Foundation combination ticket
Ways to get around
Walking
Walking is the best way to see the historic district, where the most rewarding streets — Church, Tradd, Legare and the alleys between them — are best explored on foot.
Brick and slate pavements are uneven and tree roots lift the stones; wear flat shoes.
Bus
CARTA runs city buses across the region, and its free DASH shuttle routes loop the peninsula between the visitor centre, King Street, the Market and the waterfront.
Check DASH routes at the visitor centre on Meeting Street, where many routes start.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft are widely used for the airport, Folly Beach and Mount Pleasant, and for late evenings on Upper King.
Car
A car is useful for the Ashley River plantations, Angel Oak and the beaches, but parking downtown means metered streets or city garages.
City-run garages are usually much cheaper than hotel valet parking.
Boat
A water taxi crosses the harbour between the downtown waterfront and Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, and is a cheap harbour cruise in itself.
Cycling
The flat peninsula and the Ravenel Bridge's dedicated lane suit cycling, and several shops rent cruisers and e-bikes by the hour or day.
Tickets and passes
Historic Charleston Foundation combination ticket
Covers the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House for less than two separate tickets.
Charleston Museum combination ticket
Combines the museum with the Heyward-Washington House and Joseph Manigault House.
From the airport
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is in North Charleston, about 20 km from downtown — roughly 20–30 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing depending on traffic on I-26. CARTA buses also link the airport with downtown more slowly and cheaply.
Do you need a car?
Not for downtown, where walking, DASH and pedicabs cover everything and parking is costly. Hire a car for a day or two to reach the plantations, Angel Oak, the beaches and day trips such as Kiawah or Beaufort.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Kiawah Island | About 45 minutes by car | Car via Johns Island and Angel Oak |
| Beaufort | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car via US-17 and US-21 |
| Savannah | About 2 hours by car | Car via I-95, or Amtrak train |
| Edisto Island | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via US-17 and SC-174 |
| Congaree National Park | About 2 hours by car | Car via I-26 |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Charleston?
Not for downtown, where walking, DASH and pedicabs cover everything and parking is costly. Hire a car for a day or two to reach the plantations, Angel Oak, the beaches and day trips such as Kiawah or Beaufort.
+How do you get from the airport to Charleston?
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is in North Charleston, about 20 km from downtown — roughly 20–30 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing depending on traffic on I-26. CARTA buses also link the airport with downtown more slowly and cheaply.
+What is the best way to get around Charleston?
Walking: Walking is the best way to see the historic district, where the most rewarding streets — Church, Tradd, Legare and the alleys between them — are best explored on foot.