Travel tips · Charleston · United States
Charleston travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Pruitt, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Charleston keeps a strong sense of manners and history: people greet strangers, say 'ma'am' and 'sir', and talk readily about family and old houses. Its culture is shaped by English, French Huguenot and above all West African influences — the Gullah Geechee people of the Sea Islands kept their own language, crafts and food, and sweetgrass basket weaving along Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant is one living example.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Greet shop staff and people you pass on quiet streets; a 'good morning' is expected.
- Most houses South of Broad are private homes, so stay on the pavement and do not open garden gates or step onto piazzas.
- Respect services when visiting working churches such as St. Michael's and Mother Emanuel AME.
- Ask before photographing sweetgrass basket weavers, and expect handmade baskets to be priced as art.
- Drive slowly on residential streets downtown, which are narrow, cobbled in places and shared with carriages and cyclists.
- Book Fort Sumter National Monument ahead: Ferries sell out on spring and summer weekends; reserve a departure time online in advance.
- Book International African American Museum ahead: Entry is by timed ticket; reserve online, especially for weekends.
- Stay in Mount Pleasant or North Charleston for markedly lower hotel rates with free parking, and drive or ride-hail into town.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars for carriage drivers, walking-tour guides and hotel housekeeping.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lowcountry | The coastal plain of South Carolina and its food and culture |
| Holy City | Charleston's nickname, from its many church steeples |
| South of Broad | The historic residential district below Broad Street |
| Piazza | A long side porch on a Charleston single house |
| Gullah Geechee | Descendants of enslaved West Africans on the Sea Islands |
What to wear
Light, breathable clothing for humid summers, and comfortable flat shoes for uneven brick and cobbles; downtown dinners lean smart-casual.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is standard in hotels and cafés; US prepaid SIMs and eSIMs work throughout the area.
- Time zone
- America/New York
Downtown Charleston is generally comfortable to walk, but use normal city precautions late at night north of the tourist core and do not leave valuables visible in parked cars. At the beaches, rip currents are a real hazard, and summer heat and humidity cause exhaustion — carry water and plan around midday. Follow official guidance if a hurricane threatens.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Charleston?
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars for carriage drivers, walking-tour guides and hotel housekeeping.
+Can you drink the tap water in Charleston?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Charleston?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Charleston?
English.