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Charleston International Airport (CHS)

Charleston International Airport Guide & Facilities For Travellers

When you are traveling to and from Charleston International Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.

Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.

A Brief Overview of Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, USA

Situated at a distance of about 19 km (12 miles) north-west of Charleston city in the U.S. state of South Carolina, lies the state’s largest and busiest airport called Charleston International Airport.

IATA: CHS

Address:

5500 International Blvd.

101, North Charleston

Columbia, SC 29418-6911

USA

Airport Contact: 843-767-7000

Website: https://www.iflychs.com

Operation Hours: Charleston International Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain shops, food concessions, on-site accommodation, and public and private transport services may not offer services throughout day and night. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may vary with the flight schedule. Therefore, it is advised that you check with the airport.

About Airport’s Terminal

Charleston International Airport has one terminal only. The man terminal building consists of two concourses, Concourse A having five gates and Concourse B which has ten gates. Also, the departures and arrivals sections are located at opposite ends on the same floor.

Travelers can easily find various amenities, such as information desks, lounges, ATMs, conference rooms for business travelers, newsagent, courtesy telephones, restaurants, restrooms, facilities for handicap passengers, retail shopping outlets, ticket counters, baggage claim, and locker facilities, gift shops, transportation, car park and more at the airport.

Charleston International Airport

Airlines Operating from Charleston International Airport

Charleston International Airport serves only a few domestic, international, charter, government, and cargo airlines. Airlines that operate short and long-distance flights to and from the airport’s Terminal include:

Amenities Available at Charleston International Airport

There are other amenities that are available to passengers at the airport. These include:

Nursing Room: Mamava nursing suites are available that also provide private lactation rooms. The facility is located at the landside of the Baggage Claim area, near Carousel 1. Another is located at the airside, between Gates B4 and B6. Additionally, there are family restrooms throughout the airport that offer baby changing facilities.

Postal Services: There are mailboxes available at the airport. You can drop your last-minute letters and postcards to your family, relative, and friends. You can find them at the landside, between Arrivals and Baggage Claim, adjacent to the Information Desk. You can purchase stamps, envelopes, and boxes at the Information Desk.

ATM: ATMs are available at the airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATMs if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs located in the airside and landside areas of the Terminal.

Currency Exchange: The currency used in South Carolina is the United States Dollar (USD or $). Currency exchange facilities are available at the airport.

Banking Services: Banking facilities are available at the airport.

Parking Service at Charleston International Airport

Charleston International airport has a different parking lot depending on the user whether it is for the short term or the long term. This airport suits all the customer’s pockets if you want to park free of cost for the short term then you can park in the Cell phone waiting area(parking lot). All the parking lot is compatible with digital booking or you can say advance booking on the website. Here we discuss all the parking lots with their services charges with their benefits.

  • Hourly Parking Deck
    • This parking lot is the main parking which is located in the front of the terminal.
    • This deck has a covered parking area which helps to protect your vehicle from direct sunlight and rain.
    • This parking is easily accessible because of just within walking distance of the terminal.
    • The capacity for parking is 1268.
    • You can park here on an hourly basis which cost around $3 per hour and $21 per day.
  • Daily parking deck
    • This parking lot is situated behind the Hourly parking deck.
    • This is a multi-level parking option with well-designed and easy navigation from parking to the terminal with security features and lighting.
    • The capacity for this parking is around 3000.
    • The cost of this parking is charged on an hourly basis. which is around $5 per hour and $17 per day.
    • You can leave your vehicle here for a maximum of 30 days.
  • Economy Lot A
    • This parking lot is also situated just behind the Hourly parking deck with the nearest proximity.
    • This parking lot is ideal for overnight parking and better for an extended stay.
    • This parking lot is budget-friendly and suits the name Economy lot A and the cost charged per day is around $11 only.
    • You can park here on an hourly basis which may cost around $5 per hour.
  • Valet Parking
    • Valet parking is the first-class service rendered by the Airport authority to the passengers.
    • This area is situated just in front of the entrance of the terminal where you enter with a few walking steps.
    • Valet attendants serve you with the service of parking and at the time of return, they also deliver your vehicle to the door.
    • The cost of the Valet parking is charged around $25 per day.
    • There is also a Valet service desk for customer support service where you can ask and raise your issues regarding parking.
  • Cell phone waiting area
    • The cell phone waiting area is located on the front side of Dreamliner road.
    • Here you can park your vehicle free of cost for a few hours.
    • The capacity of the parking is only 80.
    • This is far away from the terminal you have to take a mini transport to reach the terminal.

Facilities Available at Charleston International Airport

Charleston International Airport in South Carolina offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport also offers a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.

Security Check-points

There are security checkpoints at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security checkpoints.

Help Desk

When you are at the Charleston International airport and need help, there are information desks to assist you. Here, you can enquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. They are open 24 hours and can be found at the airside and landside of the terminal.

Airport Ambassadors are also available to provide assistance at the airport.

Wi-Fi and Device Charging Stations

Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the terminals at the airport, in case you want to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet. Free Wi-Fi (connect to “CHSFREEWIFI” network) internet access is offered throughout the airport with unlimited usage.

In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile and laptop charging power outlets are also available throughout the airport, in case you need to charge your laptop and/or phone’s battery.

Baggage Handling and Storage

Luggage Lockers: Lockers and luggage storage facilities are not available at the airport.

Luggage Wrapping: Luggage wrapping services are available at the airport. Bags are wrapped in plastic to protect them from damage and theft.

Luggage Trolleys/Carts: Luggage carts are available at the airport for $3 per cart. They give you a refund of $0.25 upon returning carts to the facility. These can be found in the Baggage Claim area.

Porter Services: Porter services are not available at the airport.

There is a Baggage Claim facility available at the airport.

Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.

Lounge and Business Conference Room

At Charleston International Airport, passengers can use public lounges, VIP lounges, and business conference rooms, which may be available for free or paid in order to access these facilities.

A few lounges and business conference rooms that are available at the airport are:

The Club CHS: The lounge is located on the airside of Concourse B. Access to the lounge is by using a prepaid lounge pass or lounge membership program.

Business Center: A business center conference room is located landside, on the left of the main entrance towards the Baggage Claim and car rental areas.

Stores and Duty-Free Shopping

There are plenty of shops that can be easily found throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items, from children’s toys to fashion accessories for adults. You may also buy books, magazines, newspapers, etc., to help pass time during your stopover or flight delay. Hudson News is located in the Central Marketplace. You will also find the Eddie Bauer Shop, Low Country Harley Davidson Shop, and Tech to Go. On the landside, you can pick up souvenirs at Veranda News and Discover Charleston.

Duty-Free stores are not available at the airport.

Cafe, Bar, and Restaurants

Finding snack and beverage options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at Charleston International Airport. These cafeterias and restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.

Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. These include Charleston Beer Works, Desano Pizza Bakery, Dunkin’ Donuts, King Street Cookies, Mama Chef Cuban Cafe, Samuel Adams Brewhouse, Burger King, Caviar and Bananas, and Harvest and Grounds, Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Grill, and Harvest and Grounds.

There are no vending machines inside the terminal.

Hotels On-site and Nearby Charleston International Airport

Finding accommodation on-site or nearby Charleston International Airport should not be a problem for travelers as there are several hotels and resorts out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find convenient and affordable places for a comfortable stay during your visit to South Carolina in the USA.

A few hotels that are located on-site as well as near the airport are:

Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport: The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. There is a 24-hour airport shuttle service available at no additional cost.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel North Charleston–Convention Center: The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. There is an airport shuttle service available from and to the airport, convention center, and the Tanger Outlet Mall.

Embassy Suites North Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center: The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. There is a 24-hour airport shuttle service available.

Ground Transport Options To and From Charleston International Airport

Getting to and from Charleston International Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.

Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to hotels and/or airports. Free shuttle buses provide travelers with easy connectivity. Also, there may be a few hotels in the city and adjoining areas that provide free or on-demand shuttle services to and from the airport.

Additionally, you may also book pre-arranged rides that offer services to and from the Charleston International airport, and which can also be scheduled as per your needs. You can usually find their kiosks or counters/stands located either at the terminal’s entrance or exit area. These may also contain information on the companies that are permitted to render such services at the airport.

Airport Shuttle Service

There is a shuttle transfer service available to passengers within the airport.

Hotel Shuttle Service

Few hotels in the city may offer free or paid shuttle transfer services to their guests. These include Aloft Charleston, Best Western Plus Airport Inn & Suites, Charleston Plaza Hotel, Courtyard North Charleston Airport/Coliseum, Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport Convention Center, Embassy Suites by Hilton North Charleston–Airport/Hotel & Convention, Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston North/Ashley Phosphate, Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel North Charleston–Convention Center, Home2 Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center, Homewood Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport/Conv. Center, Hyatt Place Charleston Airport and Convention Center, Radisson Hotel Charleston Airport, Residence Inn Charleston North, and Residence Inn by Marriott–Charleston Airport.

Bus Service

Public bus transportation services are available for the commute. It is both affordable and convenient and can get you to places in no time. North Area Shuttle (NASH) Express services non-stop routes between Charleston International Airport and downtown Charleston. A one-way fare for the NASH is $3.50 per person. From downtown, passengers can take a ride on the free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) shuttle service, which stops at several key destinations.

Train and Metro Services

Charleston International Airport is connected with train and metro lines for commuting.

Limousine Service

Limousines are available for hire at the airport.

Taxi Service

Taxis are available, if you need a ride to a hotel or want to go sightseeing. Taxi stands can be found on-site, on the ground transportation area.

Car Hire Service

You can hire a car at Charleston International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several companies that offer cars on hire/rent at the airport. The car hire/rental agencies or companies have their counters/stands located on-site, in the Rental Car Pavilion, near the Baggage Claim area.

The companies or agencies that offer car hire/rental services at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. Car rental agencies located off-site, such as Dollar and Thrifty, can be accessed via shuttle, where they have their stops located on the center curb, outside the Baggage Claim area. Pick-ups can be scheduled.

App-Based Ride-Sharing Service

Aside from several transport options that are available to travelers from and to Charleston International Airport, app-based ride-sharing services are also offered.

Conclusion

South Carolina in the United States offers quite a lot of attractions for sightseeing. A few of these include the Charleston’s Historic District, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul, Middleton Place, Fort Sumter National Monument, Brookgreen Gardens, Joe Riley Waterfront Park, Falls Park, South Carolina State Museum, Myrtle Beach, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Broadway at the Beach, Coligny Beach, Hilton Head Island, Cherry Grove Beach, Huntington Beach State Park, Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden, Lake Murray, Charleston City Market and more.

Traveling to and from Charleston International Airport in South Carolina will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And, if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find lots of attractions to enjoy your holidays.

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