Charleston International Airport
Also known as: Charleston Airport, CHS Airport, Charleston SC Airport.
Private transfer from CHSSee pricesSee pricesAbout Charleston International Airport
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the main airport for Charleston, South Carolina, in the United States, and for the Lowcountry around it. It stands in North Charleston, about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of downtown Charleston, near the junction of I-26 and I-526.
Most flights are domestic. American, Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue link Charleston with their hubs and with cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and Denver, while Breeze Airways, which has a focus city here, flies to more than two dozen cities, mostly in the Northeast and Florida. Air Canada flies to Toronto, and Allegiant, Alaska, Avelo, Frontier and Sun Country add more routes. The airport handled about 6.3 million passengers in 2025.
All flights use one terminal, with a single security checkpoint leading to Concourse A at the east end and Concourse B at the west end. The runways are shared with Joint Base Charleston.
From the airport, most travelers head to the historic district of downtown Charleston, across the Cooper River to Mount Pleasant, or out to the beaches at Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach. Others continue to Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Summerville.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Charleston Regional Aviation Authority
- Passengers per year
About 6.3 million in 2025
- Runways
Two: 15/33, 9,001 ft (2,744 m), and 03/21, 7,000 ft (2,134 m), shared with Joint Base Charleston
- Terminal
One terminal with Concourses A and B and a single security checkpoint
Arrival tips for Charleston International Airport
Most flights into Charleston are domestic, so you walk off the plane and straight toward Baggage Claim. Flights from Toronto clear US border checks before departure in Canada. If you arrive on an international flight without preclearance, such as a seasonal flight from Cancún, you go through US Customs and Border Protection in the international arrivals facility in Concourse B before you reach the public area.
Charleston has one terminal. From Concourse A or Concourse B, follow the signs to Baggage Claim at the west end of the terminal, past the central hall. Baggage carts are near Carousel 1, and the Guest Services Desk across from the Central Hall can help with questions.
Every way out starts outside Baggage Claim. Taxis wait in the center median with a starter, hotel shuttles and the CARTA bus stop at the curb, and rideshare pickups are in Zones 1, 2 and 3 at the covered shelter across both roadways. Rental car desks are at the end of the terminal past Baggage Claim. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in Baggage Claim.
Charleston is on Eastern Time.
Ground transportation
A taxi or pre-booked car is the easiest way to reach downtown and the islands; the bus suits light travelers headed downtown.
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Book a transfer from CHSTaxi from Charleston airport
Taxis wait in the center median outside Baggage Claim, where a starter gives you the rate for your destination. The ride downtown usually takes 20 to 30 minutes outside rush hour.
Uber and Lyft
Rideshare pickups, including the local KreweCar app, are in Zones 1, 2 and 3 at the covered shelter across both roadways from Baggage Claim. Waits can grow when several flights land together.
CARTA bus Route 11
The CARTA stop is a covered shelter just outside Baggage Claim. Route 11 runs seven days a week to downtown Charleston by way of North Charleston, taking about 50 to 55 minutes, so it is slow with luggage.
Hotel shuttles
Several North Charleston airport hotels run shuttles from the curb outside Baggage Claim; call your hotel when you have your bags.
Rental cars
Rental desks are at the end of the terminal past Baggage Claim, and cars are returned on Level 1 of the parking garage, reached by covered walkways.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you in Baggage Claim, useful for families, groups, late arrivals and trips to Kiawah Island or the beaches.
Terminals
Concourse A
The east concourse, with eight gates, used mainly by Delta and Delta Connection flights.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Delta Air Lines
Concourse B
The west concourse, with ten gates (B1 to B10), used by the other airlines. It also houses the international arrivals facility.
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi on the CHSFREEWIFI network.
Restaurants and shops
The Central Marketplace past security has restaurants, coffee and shops, with more in Concourses A and B and a few outlets in the Central Hall before security.
Guest Services Desk
Information and paging at the Guest Services Desk near the Central Hall.
Charging points
About 2,000 power outlets and USB ports around the terminal.
Nursing suites
Two nursing suites: one in Baggage Claim between Carousels 2 and 3 before security, and one in Concourse B after security.
Service animal relief areas
Two outdoor relief areas, one at each end of the terminal, and one after security in Concourse A near Gate A2.
Baggage carts
Carts are in Baggage Claim near Carousel 1 and on the ground floor of the parking garage.
Curbside check-in
CHS Check n' Go lets you check bags at the curb for Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United.
Lost and found
The airport's lost and found, run with its partner Boomerang, covers the terminal, the security checkpoint and the parking lots.
Airport lounges
The Club CHS
A 4,400 sq ft lounge on the main concourse for departing passengers, not run by an airline, open daily from 4:10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Priority Pass members enter with eligible cards, and day passes are sold at the door.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Arrange a wheelchair and escort through your airline before you travel, or ask the skycaps at the front curb. For help at security, call TSA Cares 72 hours before your flight.
Reduced mobility
Passenger boarding bridges and a passenger access lift help with boarding, all restrooms are accessible, and elevators serve the terminal and the parking garage.
Service animals
Three service animal relief areas: one outside each end of the terminal and one after security in Concourse A near Gate A2.
Hidden disabilities
Free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower bracelets and lanyards are available at the Guest Services Desk across from the Central Hall.
Accessible parking
Qualified drivers with a valid placard and matching license park free for the first 48 hours; valet parking does not offer this.
Parking
Hourly Parking Garage
Covered parking a short walk from the terminal, for stays of up to 30 days; accessible spaces are on the second floor.
Daily Parking Garage
A multi-level garage beside the terminal, with an open-air top level.
Economy Lot
A surface lot across from the Daily Parking Garage, with a shuttle about every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day.
Overflow Lot
Opens when the Economy Lot is full, as at holidays, with its own shuttle to the terminal.
Valet Parking
Drop your car at the curb in front of the terminal and collect it at the valet desk at the end of Baggage Claim.
Cell Phone Waiting Area
Free waiting spaces on the right side of International Boulevard before the terminal, for drivers who stay with their vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Charleston airport from downtown Charleston?
Charleston International Airport is in North Charleston, about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of downtown Charleston, near the junction of I-26 and I-526. The drive to the historic district usually takes 20 to 30 minutes outside rush hour. CARTA Route 11 takes about 50 to 55 minutes, and taxis and rideshares leave from outside Baggage Claim.
How many terminals does Charleston airport have?
Charleston International Airport has one terminal with two concourses behind a single security checkpoint. Concourse A, at the east end, is used mainly by Delta, and Concourse B, at the west end, by the other airlines and international arrivals. All arriving passengers collect their bags in the same Baggage Claim at the west end of the terminal.
Is CHS the airport for Charleston, South Carolina?
Yes. CHS is Charleston International Airport, the main airport for Charleston, South Carolina, and the Lowcountry. Charleston, West Virginia, has its own airport, West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW), hundreds of miles away. Check the three-letter code on your ticket before you book flights or ground transportation, because the two cities are easy to mix up.
Which airlines fly to Charleston airport?
American, Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue fly to their hubs and to cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and Denver. Breeze Airways has a focus city here with flights to more than two dozen cities. Air Canada flies to Toronto, and Alaska, Allegiant, Avelo, Frontier and Sun Country add more routes, several of them seasonal.
Does Charleston airport have international flights?
Yes, a few. Air Canada flies to Toronto, where passengers clear US border checks before departure, so they arrive in Charleston as domestic travelers. Other international arrivals, such as Breeze Airways' seasonal flights from Cancún, go through US Customs and Border Protection in the international arrivals facility in Concourse B. Most flights at Charleston are domestic.
Where do I get a taxi at Charleston airport?
Taxis wait in the center median outside Baggage Claim at the west end of the terminal. Go to the ground transportation booth, where a starter gives you a rate based on your destination before you set off. A taxi goes door to door downtown, to Mount Pleasant and to the beaches, which is easiest when you are carrying luggage.
Where is the Uber and Lyft pickup at Charleston airport?
Rideshare pickups at Charleston International Airport are in Zones 1, 2 and 3. Request your ride in the app, leave Baggage Claim and follow the signs to the covered pickup shelter across both roadways, to the right of the last sidewalk. Uber, Lyft and the local KreweCar app all use these zones.
Is there a bus from Charleston airport to downtown?
Yes. CARTA Route 11 runs seven days a week between the airport and downtown Charleston, with stops along Dorchester Road and Meeting Street in North Charleston. The stop is a covered shelter just outside Baggage Claim, and the trip usually takes 50 to 55 minutes. It also serves the Tanger Outlet Center on the way.
Is there a lounge at Charleston airport?
Yes. The Club CHS is on the main concourse for departing passengers and is not run by an airline. It opens daily from 4:10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Priority Pass members can enter with eligible premium cards, and other travelers can buy a day pass. It seats about 100 people in six zones.
Where can I park at Charleston airport?
Charleston International Airport has an Hourly Parking Garage and a Daily Parking Garage beside the terminal, an Economy Lot with a shuttle every 5 minutes, an Overflow Lot that opens when Economy is full, and valet parking at the curb. A free Cell Phone Waiting Area on International Boulevard is for drivers picking someone up.
Where are the rental cars at Charleston airport?
Rental car desks are at the end of the terminal, past Baggage Claim, so you can pick up your car without taking a shuttle. Returns are on Level 1 of the parking garage, which is connected to the terminal by covered walkways. Follow the rental car return signs as you approach the airport on International Boulevard.
What time zone is Charleston airport in?
Charleston International Airport is on Eastern Time, the same as New York and Atlanta. That is UTC-5 in winter and UTC-4 during daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Set your phone to update automatically, and check pickup times against local time.