Getting around · Myrtle Beach · United States
Getting around Myrtle Beach
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, Myrtle Beach · Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Louis L. Rivers, Public domain
Quick answer
The Grand Strand is a long, thin strip and almost everyone gets around by car. Ocean Boulevard runs along the beachfront, Kings Highway (US 17 Business) parallels it a few blocks inland, and the US 17 Bypass and SC 31 handle longer trips. Yes for most visitors.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Car
- Airports
- MYR
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
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Ways to get around
Car
A car is essential for reaching attractions spread along 100 km of coast. Summer traffic on Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway can be slow, so use the bypass and SC 31 for longer journeys.
Hotels usually include parking; city meters and lots near the Boardwalk charge in season.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft cover the main areas and are useful for evenings out, though waits can be long late at night in summer.
Bus
Coast RTA runs local buses along the main corridors, but service is infrequent and of limited use for most visitors.
Walking
Within central Myrtle Beach, the Boardwalk, Family Kingdom and many hotels are walkable along Ocean Boulevard.
Cycling
Beach-cruiser bikes are widely rented by the day or week and are handy for short hops along the side streets near Ocean Boulevard and in North Myrtle Beach.
From the airport
Myrtle Beach International (MYR) is only about 5 km from central Myrtle Beach — around 10 minutes by car or rideshare — and close to Market Common. It is served by a mix of low-cost, seasonal and hub-connecting flights; Charleston, Wilmington and Charlotte are alternatives with more connections, about 1.5 to 3.5 hours' drive away.
Do you need a car?
Yes for most visitors. If you stay on Ocean Boulevard near the Boardwalk you can walk to some attractions, but Broadway at the Beach, Brookgreen, the state parks and golf courses all need a car.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | About 2 to 2.5 hours by car | Car via US 17 |
| Georgetown | About 50 minutes by car | Car via US 17 |
| Conway | About 25 minutes by car | Car via US 501 |
| Wilmington, North Carolina | About 1.5 hours by car | Car via US 17 |
| Calabash, North Carolina | About 40 minutes by car | Car via US 17 |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Myrtle Beach?
Yes for most visitors. If you stay on Ocean Boulevard near the Boardwalk you can walk to some attractions, but Broadway at the Beach, Brookgreen, the state parks and golf courses all need a car.
+How do you get from the airport to Myrtle Beach?
Myrtle Beach International (MYR) is only about 5 km from central Myrtle Beach — around 10 minutes by car or rideshare — and close to Market Common. It is served by a mix of low-cost, seasonal and hub-connecting flights; Charleston, Wilmington and Charlotte are alternatives with more connections, about 1.5 to 3.5 hours' drive away.
+What is the best way to get around Myrtle Beach?
Car: A car is essential for reaching attractions spread along 100 km of coast. Summer traffic on Ocean Boulevard and Kings Highway can be slow, so use the bypass and SC 31 for longer journeys.