Cheap flights to Charleston
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Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
CHS
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-5 (UTC-4 during summer time)
Deals already spotted to Charleston
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Airport and getting into town
CHS, about 19 km from the historic centre, with an express bus
Charleston International Airport (CHS)
The airport is about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of historic downtown according to Wikivoyage (EN, FR). An express bus reaches downtown in about 20 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN); taxis and shuttles are quicker but dearer, and we give no fares. Amtrak's Palmetto and Silver Service also stop in Charleston according to Wikivoyage (ES).
Distances and times are approximate, based on Wikivoyage and Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES); timetables change, so check them before you travel. We give no fares.
Charleston is South Carolina's largest city, with 150,227 residents at the 2020 census according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES). English settlers founded it in 1670 as Charles Town; it moved to its present site in 1680 and took its current name in 1783 according to Wikipedia (EN, ES). It is nicknamed The Holy City for its many steeples according to Wikipedia (ES). This page covers Charleston, South Carolina, not the city of the same name in West Virginia.
Landmarks and sights
Rainbow Row, the Battery, Fort Sumter and the Ravenel Bridge
Charleston's historic centre is best seen on foot, among coloured houses, walled gardens and harbour views. Five places are illustrated; Fort Sumter, the Battery and the plantations are described in text.
Pastel facades in the historic centre
Charleston is known for pastel-coloured houses lined up near the waterfront according to Wikivoyage (ES) and Wikipedia (ES). Rainbow Row on East Bay Street is the best-known example; palms, dark shutters and calm streets complete the picture.
Pink and grey historic houses
The narrow houses of the peninsula, with black shutters and small iron balconies, often date back centuries. The Pink House, begun in 1694, is described as the city's oldest stone building according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Palm-lined downtown streets
Downtown streets line up historic hotel and shop facades, palms and lampposts. King, Meeting and Church Streets hold many historic houses according to Wikipedia (DE).
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
The cable-stayed bridge opened on 16 July 2005 crosses the Cooper River and links downtown with Mount Pleasant, with a path for pedestrians and cyclists according to Wikipedia (ES). It is visible from the harbour and the Battery.
Wrought-iron balconies and palms
Wrought-iron balconies, shutters and warm colours are part of the cityscape. Charleston kept its architecture thanks to a strong preservation movement, the Charleston Renaissance between the wars according to Wikipedia (DE).
Fort Sumter, the Battery and plantations, in text
Fort Sumter, in the harbour, is where the Civil War began: it surrendered on 12 April 1861 after a 34-hour bombardment according to Wikipedia (ES, FR). You reach it by ferry in about 30 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN). The Battery and White Point Gardens sit at the southern tip of the peninsula. The Boone Hall, Middleton Place, Drayton Hall and Magnolia plantations are not within walking distance according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Museums and culture
Charleston Museum, the Gibbes, African-American history and an aircraft carrier
Charleston Museum and the Gibbes
The Charleston Museum, founded in 1773, is described as one of America's oldest museums according to Wikipedia (DE, ES). The Gibbes Museum of Art holds over 10,000 works, mainly American art linked to Charleston or the South according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (DE, ES).
African-American history
The Old Slave Mart Museum, at 6 Chalmers Street, is believed to be the last slave auction building still standing in South Carolina according to Wikivoyage (EN). The International African American Museum completes this circuit according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (DE).
Sea and military history
The South Carolina Aquarium and Patriots Point, with the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown launched in 1943, are other visits according to Wikipedia (FR, DE, ES). Opening hours and conditions change; we give no prices.
Food and drink
Shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, oysters and a Saturday market
Lowcountry cooking
Charleston cooking blends French, continental and Creole influences with plenty of fresh seafood according to Wikivoyage (ES). Shrimp and grits, with a corn porridge, is a local speciality with many variations according to Wikivoyage (ES, DE).
She-crab soup and oysters
She-crab soup, a light thickened soup of crab meat and roe with a splash of sherry, is a classic according to Wikivoyage (DE, EN). Oysters have their own Lowcountry Oyster Festival in January according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Market and bars
The Charleston farmers market runs on Saturdays from April to November according to Wikivoyage (EN) and the official tourism site. Downtown bars close at 2 AM and an open container law applies according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Getting around
On foot, free DASH shuttles, CARTA buses and a ferry
On foot and by shuttle
The historic centre is best explored on foot according to Wikivoyage (EN). The DASH shuttles, routes 210, 211 and 213, are free according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Bus, taxi and ferry
CARTA buses link the peninsula to neighbouring areas. Taxis are safe but hard to find unless prearranged according to Wikivoyage (EN). The Fort Sumter ferry leaves from Liberty Square or Patriots Point according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Car and beaches
A car helps for the plantations and beaches: Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island and Kiawah according to the official tourism site and Wikivoyage (EN). The peninsula is very low and can flood in heavy rain and high tides according to Wikipedia (ES).
Budget and precautions
A high price level in season, with pricey hotels on the peninsula
Price level
Charleston is a heavily visited tourist destination, with pricier hotels on the peninsula in high season. The currency is the US dollar (USD). We publish no figures: sources are dated or disagree.
Flights and alerts
The airports of Savannah (SAV) and Charlotte (CLT) may offer other fares, but are hours away by road. SniperAir tracks flight prices to CHS and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets.
Precautions
Tourist areas have relatively little crime; north of those areas some neighbourhoods can be risky at night according to Wikivoyage (ES, DE). Foreign visitors should check US entry requirements for their nationality.
When to go
Humid subtropical: hot stormy summers and mild winters
Winter (December to February)
Mild: highs of about 14 to 16 C according to Wikipedia (DE) and Wikivoyage (ES), with very little snow according to Wikipedia (ES).
Spring (March to May)
Pleasant for walking, with gardens in bloom; a favourite season for plantation visits.
Summer (June to August)
Hot and humid: highs of about 32 C according to Wikipedia (DE) and Wikivoyage (ES), with a heat index around 37 C according to Wikivoyage (EN) and afternoon thunderstorms.
Autumn (September to November)
Heat eases gradually; the Saturday market runs until November according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Charleston has a humid subtropical climate according to Wikivoyage (EN, ES), with hot stormy summers and mild winters. To walk the historic centre without the heat, aim for spring and autumn; summer suits the nearby beaches better.
By length of stay
What to do in Charleston by length of stay
The essentials
Walk from Rainbow Row to the Battery, visit Fort Sumter by ferry and dine on seafood.
Culture and discoveries
Add a museum, the Charleston Museum or the Gibbes, a plantation and a beach day at Folly Beach or Sullivan's Island.
Going further
Take time for gardens, the Ravenel Bridge at Mount Pleasant and Lowcountry cooking, with a rental car.
In pictures
Charleston in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Charleston
How do I get from CHS airport to downtown Charleston?
The airport is about 19 km northwest. An express bus reaches downtown in about 20 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN); taxis and shuttles also run. Check timetables before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
Spring and autumn are pleasant for walking. Summer is hot and humid, with a heat index around 37 C according to Wikivoyage (EN); winter is mild.
What should I see first in Charleston?
Rainbow Row, the Battery, Fort Sumter, a museum such as the Gibbes and a plantation according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (ES).
What should I eat in Charleston?
Shrimp and grits, she-crab soup and oysters according to Wikivoyage (ES, DE, EN), plus the farmers market on Saturdays from April to November.
Can I get around Charleston without a car?
In the historic centre, yes: you walk, and DASH shuttles are free according to Wikivoyage (EN). A car helps for plantations and beaches.
How long should I stay in Charleston?
Two to three days cover the peninsula, Fort Sumter and a museum; add a day for a plantation and a beach.
How much does a flight to Charleston usually cost?
The price depends mostly on your departure city, the season and how early you book. The opportunities section above shows real examples of fares SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
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