A guide to Charleston International Airport (CHS)
Quick insights
- Charleston International Airport (CHS) offers daily non-stop flights to a wide range of U.S. cities.
- The airport is on one level and has two concourses—Concourse A and Concourse B—with shopping and dining in both.
- There are several parking options from covered hourly parking garages to economy lots.
CHS is the primary airport serving Charleston, SC and its surrounding areas. It puts travelers in the heart of the Lowcountry—the low-lying coastal area of the Carolinas and Georgia—and is only a short drive from historic downtown Charleston, expansive beaches and delicious southern cuisine.
With daily non-stop flights to dozens of U.S. cities, you may find yourself passing through CHS at some point. Read on to learn more about getting to and navigating around the airport.
Navigating to and from CHS
CHS is located approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Charleston and is accessible via I-26.
Ground transportation at the airport is located outside of baggage claim at the west end of the terminal. For those traveling to or from the airport, travel options may include:
- Public transportation: Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) provides bus service to and from the airport to Tanger Outlet Center and downtown Charleston. The transport boards from a covered shelter just outside of baggage claim.
- Rental car: Rental car desks are located inside the terminal just past baggage claim. Rental car pick-up and drop-off is located on Level 1 of the daily parking garage which offers covered walkways to and from the terminal.
- Rideshare services: Rideshare pick-ups typically take place in the designated areas in Zones 1, 2 or 3.
- Hotel shuttles: Many hotels offer courtesy shuttles to and from the airport. Most will pick up passengers outside of baggage claim at the end of the terminal.
- Taxis: For passengers interested in taxi service, the ground transportation booth is located in the center median outside of baggage claim. Note that there may be a minimum fee for taxi rides from CHS.
Parking at CHS
CHS has a mix of hourly parking, daily parking and economy parking. Options may include:
- Hourly parking: The hourly parking garage has three floors with an open-air third floor. It is a short distance from the main terminal.
- Daily parking: The daily parking garage is located just beyond the hourly garage and is also within a short distance of the terminal.
- Economy lot: Located across the street from the daily parking garage, this surface lot offers free shuttle service to and from the terminal approximately every 5 minutes.
- Overflow lot: This is a surface lot that opens when the economy lot is full. It also offers free shuttle service approximately every 5 minutes.
- Cell phone waiting lot: The cell phone waiting lot provides free temporary parking (drivers cannot leave their car unattended). The lot is located on the right side of International Blvd., just before reaching the main terminal drop-off area.
The CHS website typically displays the current availability of all parking lots.
CHS terminals and map
CHS is on one level and has two main concourses: Concourse A and Concourse B. Both concourses have departure and arrival gates. Concourse B houses international arrivals as well.
When arriving, ticketing counters and passenger check-in are located to the right of the airport's central hall. Baggage claim is located on the opposite side of the terminal. The CHS website typically provides the most up-to-date terminal informationOpens overlay, including maps and a list of airport shops, restaurants and more.
Security at CHS
The security screening checkpoint at CHS is open daily from 3:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., or until the last departing flight. The airport website often includes security screening wait time estimates for both the main security check point and TSA PreCheck® lanes. There is also an hourly forecast so passengers can view estimates for wait times throughout the day.
It's generally advised to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights to allow time for security screening.
Getting through airport security faster
While wait times may vary, there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck enables members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Global Entry enables members to bypass the standard customs line and use a designated kiosk to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Things to do at CHS
There are a variety of shopping and dining options in CHS’s Central Marketplace, Central Hall and in both concourses. Travelers can choose from grab-and-go options or opt for a sit-down restaurant before boarding their flight. There are also a variety of souvenir shops and stores that sell travel needs throughout the airport.
In addition, travelers may enjoy:
- Art: CHS has a robust permanent art collection with celebrated artists and works from the Lowcountry's art scene. There is also a curated quarterly installation that celebrates milestones, holidays and community partnerships.
- Airport lounge: Club CHS is a shared-use lounge with seating for 100, open daily from 4:10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Some credit cards enable customers to access select airport lounges.
- Pet relief areas: CHS has designated pet relief areas for travelers’ service animals or pets, offering comfort for both pets and their owners.
There also is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the airport, designed for travelers to browse the internet, stream content or get work done while waiting to board their flight.
In summary
CHS provides a gateway to the Lowcountry of the Carolinas and Georgia. With dozens of daily flights to locations across the U.S., the airport is a central hub for those flying in and out of Charleston.
There are several parking options at CHS, including covered hourly parking garages near the terminal and uncovered economy lots that have shuttles to take passengers to the terminal.
The terminal is all on one level and has two concourses. From the entrance at the central hall, ticketing counters are located to the right, with baggage claim at the opposite end of the airport. It is generally recommended that passengers arrive at the airport at least 2 hours ahead of their departure time for domestic flights.
