Arriving by Plane
The Charleston International Airport (CHS) is located within the heart of the City of North Charleston near the intersection of interstates I-26 and I-526. Rental cars, taxis or shuttles, and bus transportation are all available from the airport.
A rental car station with five national rental car agencies is available adjacent to the airport terminal.
Taxis and shuttles operate from 5 a.m. until 30 minutes after the last arriving flight of the day, typically around 12:30 a.m. Taxi and shuttle rides are available in front of the terminal building, outside of baggage claim. Taxis are dispatched upon demand of the passenger or group to one specific destination. All taxi and shuttle services accept MasterCard, American Express, VISA and Discover credit cards.
North Charleston regulates all taxis. Only accept rides from properly permitted taxis. All taxis are required to display a meter with a running and/or flat rate.
CARTA, the regional public transit system, Route 11 Dorchester/Airport serves the airport. This route also serves many of the new hotels in North Charleston as well as Tanger Outlet and the North Charleston Coliseum/PAC. The bus stop at the airport is conveniently located near the passenger pick up area and the rental car pick up lot.
Arriving by Train or Bus
The Charleston Amtrak station and South Eastern Stages are currently located at 4565 Gaynor Avenue. CARTA Route 10 Rivers Ave. currently serves the Amtrak station and travels directly into the downtown area or in the opposite direction to Charleston Southern University.
North Charleston regulates all taxis. Only accept rides from properly permitted taxis. All taxis are required to display a meter with a running and/or flat rate.
Arriving by Car
Most visitors to North Charleston arrive by car via I-26. Main thoroughfares, Rivers Avenue and Dorchester Road, parallel I-26 with others, Ladson Road, Ashley Phosphate, and Montague Avenue, running parallel. Congestion can occur during rush hour periods with morning Charleston in-bound traffic slowing, along with afternoon out-bound traffic.
Foreign driver’s licenses are recognized in the United States, but if your home driver’s license is not in English, you should consider getting an international driver’s permit (IDP). Contact your own government to obtain one. If you are an American traveling abroad and need to get an IDP.
Here are few online resources:
International Driver’s Permits for Americans Traveling Abroad
US State Department’s Tips on Driving Abroad
International Road Signs and Signals