Charleston Airport and Travel: Getting In and Out of the Lowcountry

For many relocation buyers — especially remote workers, second-home owners, and anyone with family elsewhere — how easy it is to travel matters as much as the home itself. The good news is that Charleston's connectivity has improved dramatically over the past decade. Charleston International Airport (CHS) has been one of the fastest-growing airports in the country, and the metro is within a reasonable drive of several other Southeastern cities. Here's what to expect.

Charleston International Airport (CHS)

CHS sits in North Charleston, about 12 miles northwest of downtown. It's a joint civil-military airport, sharing its runways with Joint Base Charleston and the adjacent Boeing 787 assembly plant. It is comfortably South Carolina's busiest airport, and it set a record of more than 6.3 million passengers in 2025 — up from about 6.3 million in 2024 and 6.1 million in 2023, and roughly 85% higher than a decade earlier.

Flights and airlines

The airport offers roughly 90 daily flights across about 14 passenger carriers, and the number of nonstop destinations has more than tripled in four years. Breeze Airways uses Charleston as a focus city — in fact CHS is Breeze's single largest base, employing around 1,600 people locally — which has driven much of the new point-to-point service. American is the largest carrier by seats, and Delta runs heavy service to its Atlanta hub, Charleston's biggest connecting market. International nonstop service includes Air Canada to Toronto (seasonal) and BermudAir to Bermuda.

Airport expansion

Growth has pushed a multi-year Terminal Redevelopment and Improvement Program, including expanded security and baggage areas and a new $348 million parking garage, the first phase of which is expected to open in the summer of 2026 with the remainder following in 2027. By local estimates, the airport contributes more than $4.5 billion a year to the regional economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs.

Drive times around the airport

From CHS, downtown Charleston is about a 20-minute drive off-peak, Mount Pleasant 25 to 30 minutes, West Ashley around 20 minutes, and Summerville roughly 20 to 30 minutes. The airport's central location in North Charleston makes it convenient to most of the metro, though I-26 traffic at peak times can stretch those numbers.

Driving to other cities

Charleston is well positioned for regional road trips. Approximate drive times: Columbia about 2 hours; Savannah about 2 hours; Hilton Head about 2 hours; Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand under 2 hours; Charlotte roughly 3.5 hours; and Atlanta about 4.5 to 5 hours. For destinations beyond an easy drive, the expanded nonstop network at CHS increasingly means a direct flight rather than a connection.

Getting around the metro

Day to day, Charleston is car-dependent. The CARTA bus system and the downtown DASH shuttle serve the urban core, and a harbor water taxi connects downtown with Mount Pleasant, but most residents drive. Factor parking (especially downtown) and bridge crossings into your routine, and weigh commute distance carefully when choosing a neighborhood. See our jobs and economy guide for more on commuting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the Charleston airport?

Charleston International (CHS) handled a record of more than 6.3 million passengers in 2025, making it South Carolina's busiest airport, with about 90 daily flights and 14 carriers.

Does Charleston have nonstop flights?

Yes, and the nonstop network has more than tripled in four years. Breeze Airways (which bases its largest operation here), American, Delta, Southwest, and others fly nonstop to dozens of destinations, plus international service to Toronto and Bermuda.

How far is the airport from downtown Charleston?

About 12 miles, or roughly a 20-minute drive off-peak. It's in North Charleston, central to most of the metro.

Can I drive to other major cities easily?

Yes. Columbia, Savannah, and Hilton Head are around 2 hours; Myrtle Beach is under 2 hours; Charlotte is about 3.5 hours; and Atlanta is roughly 4.5 to 5 hours.

Is public transportation good in Charleston?

It's limited compared with larger metros. CARTA buses, the downtown DASH shuttle, and a harbor water taxi exist, but Charleston is fundamentally a car-dependent region.

Keep Reading

• Relocating to Charleston: The Complete Guide
• Charleston Jobs and Economy
• Relocating for Remote Workers and Tech
• Buying a Second Home in Charleston

This page is general information. Airline routes, passenger counts, and airport construction timelines change frequently; verify current flight options and airport details with Charleston International Airport before relying on them.