Getting Around Charleston
Where Should We Park?
There are numerous parking garages and meters around town but they can be hard to find.
Reference our downtown Charleston map for garage locations.
A great place to park is at the Visitor’s Center at 375 Meeting Street. From there you can walk,
take the bus or arrange for alternative transportation.
Modes of Transportation
City Bus - Charleston has a tremendous public transit network. The city’s bus system goes by
the name of CARTA (Charleston Regional Transportation Authority). It only costs $1.50 each
time you get on, is $0.75 for Seniors, Children under 6 ride for free, and all day passes can be
purchased for $5. There are four routes that circle different parts of downtown Charleston.
Reference the Charleston city map on page XX to see the routes. They also have routes that
can take you to the beaches, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston. View CARTA's schedule
and routes.
Rickshaw or Pedicab – Is a bicycle with a passenger cart on the back. This service is offered
downtown and recently on Folly Beach as well. This is an inexpensive, safe and quick way to get
from point A to B. More info
Water Taxi – This fantastic service shuttles passengers between the Aquarium on the downtown
side to Patriots Point, USS Yorktown, Medal of Honor Museum and Harbor Resort and Marina.
See the many landmarks in the harbor that are best seen from the water. Schedule and more info
Driving Your Own Car – The Charleston area is easy to navigate for most, but having a
navigator or studying the maps beforehand is recommended. I-26 is the main east/west artery
which leads to I-95, Columbia SC and beyond. US-17 serves as the North to South (Myrtle
Beach to Savannah) and I-526 is the bypass that does a half circle from Mount Pleasant to North
Charleston (crossing over I-26) and then to West Ashley.
On Foot – Put on your comfortable shoes and let’s get moving, because walking the historic
streets of Charleston is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. We recommend walking down
King Street, through the Market area, East Bay and Broad – where you’ll find St. Michaels
Church, the Four Corners of Law and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. South of Broad
is where The Battery, Rainbow Row and many of the house museums are located. On Church
Street is St. Phillips Church and the Dock Street Theatre. If you’re looking for a challenge then
try walking across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which crosses the harbor to Mount Pleasant.
Charleston International Airport
Located in North Charleston off of I-526, take International Blvd exit.
15 minute drive from downtown Charleston
General Info: (843) 767-7009.
Where Should We Park?
There are numerous parking garages and meters around town but they can be hard to find.
Reference our downtown Charleston map for garage locations.
A great place to park is at the Visitor’s Center at 375 Meeting Street. From there you can walk,
take the bus or arrange for alternative transportation.
Modes of Transportation
City Bus - Charleston has a tremendous public transit network. The city’s bus system goes by
the name of CARTA (Charleston Regional Transportation Authority). It only costs $1.50 each
time you get on, is $0.75 for Seniors, Children under 6 ride for free, and all day passes can be
purchased for $5. There are four routes that circle different parts of downtown Charleston.
Reference the Charleston city map on page XX to see the routes. They also have routes that
can take you to the beaches, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston. View CARTA's schedule
and routes.
Rickshaw or Pedicab – Is a bicycle with a passenger cart on the back. This service is offered
downtown and recently on Folly Beach as well. This is an inexpensive, safe and quick way to get
from point A to B. More info
Water Taxi – This fantastic service shuttles passengers between the Aquarium on the downtown
side to Patriots Point, USS Yorktown, Medal of Honor Museum and Harbor Resort and Marina.
See the many landmarks in the harbor that are best seen from the water. Schedule and more info
Driving Your Own Car – The Charleston area is easy to navigate for most, but having a
navigator or studying the maps beforehand is recommended. I-26 is the main east/west artery
which leads to I-95, Columbia SC and beyond. US-17 serves as the North to South (Myrtle
Beach to Savannah) and I-526 is the bypass that does a half circle from Mount Pleasant to North
Charleston (crossing over I-26) and then to West Ashley.
On Foot – Put on your comfortable shoes and let’s get moving, because walking the historic
streets of Charleston is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. We recommend walking down
King Street, through the Market area, East Bay and Broad – where you’ll find St. Michaels
Church, the Four Corners of Law and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. South of Broad
is where The Battery, Rainbow Row and many of the house museums are located. On Church
Street is St. Phillips Church and the Dock Street Theatre. If you’re looking for a challenge then
try walking across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, which crosses the harbor to Mount Pleasant.
Charleston International Airport
Located in North Charleston off of I-526, take International Blvd exit.
15 minute drive from downtown Charleston
General Info: (843) 767-7009.
