Sleeping in Airports

Charleston Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Charleston Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

The only drawback, however, was a lack of food. There are NO vending machines in the airport, and believe me, we looked. – George

CHS Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Charleston International Airport.

What to Expect

charleston airport guideCharleston Airport (code: CHS) consists of a small, recently renovated terminal with two concourses (Concourse A and Concourse B), connected airside by walkway. There is a decent selection of eateries, shops and other services on both sides of security. After airport restaurants and shops close for the night, the vending machines in baggage claim are the only in-airport snack option. Plan ahead and purchase your food and drinks before the concessions close.  WiFi is available and there are plenty of outlets for charging mobile devices. There are no private lounges at this airport.

Sleeping in Charleston Airport

After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas, and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Airport staff and security are described as friendly, and do not mind people sleeping in the terminal. Seating near the baggage claim is described as fairly comfortable. If you intend to sleep in this terminal consider bringing eyeshades, as the lighting remains bright throughout the night. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport that provide a free shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Charleston Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • The Club CHS – Location: Airside, Concourse B. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Charleston Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Charleston Airport that provide free airport shuttles:

  • Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport   » Check Rates
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel North Charleston – Convention Center  » Check Rates
  • Embassy Suites North Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Charleston Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

wifiAirport WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Charleston Airport. Connect to the “CHSFREEWIFI” network.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside.

Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, Mamava nursing suits are available to breastfeed in private. Locations: Landside, Baggage Claim Area, near Carousel 1 • Airside, between Gates B4 and B6. Baby changing facilities can be found in the family restrooms throughout the airport.

Business Center – Location: landside, to the left of the main entrance towards the baggage claim and car rental area.

Duty Free and Shopping – Duty Free is not available at the airport. Hudson News offers 3 locations including one in the Central Marketplace where you will also find an Eddie Bauer Shop, Low Country Harley Davidson Shop and a Tech to Go. Landside you can pick up souvenirs at Veranda News/Discover Charleston.

Food & Drinks – At the time of this update, we do know if there are any 24 hour food concessions; however, you will find these concessions which operate during airport hours:

  • Concourse A – Charleston Beer Works
  • Concourse B – Cinnabon • Desano Pizza Bakery • Dunkin Donuts • Samuel Adams Brewhouse.
  • Central Marketplace – Burger King • Caviar and Bananas • Harvest and Grounds • Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Grill
  • Near Ticketing, Landside – Harvest and Grounds.
  • Baggage Claim – vending machines

Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit the airport information desk for assistance! Location: landside, between Arrivals and Baggage Claim. Hours: 5:00AM – 11:00PM (Daily). In addition, airport ambassadors can be found throughout the airport to provide assistance.

Luggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Luggage carts are available in the Baggage Claim area. Carts cost $4.00 ($1.00 bills, quarters and credit cards are accepted) with a $0.25 refund upon return.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Mobile Charging – There are over 2000 electrical outlets and USB ports available for mobile device charging.

Postal Services – Drop off your last minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s mailboxes. Stamps, envelopes and boxes can be purchased from the information desk. Location: landside, between Arrivals and Baggage Claim, adjacent to the Information desk.

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours. The TSA security checkpoint is open from approx. 4:00AM – 8:00 PM.

airlinesAirlines

Charleston airport is served by the following airlines: Alaska Airlines • Allegiant • American Airlines • Avelo • Breeze • Delta Air Lines • Frontier • JetBlue • Silver • Southwest Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • United Airlines.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

The NASH (North Area Shuttle) offers nonstop express service between CHS airport and downtown Charleston. From downtown, passengers can transfer to the free DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) shuttle service, which stops at several key destinations. At the time of this update, one-way fare for the NASH is $3.50 per person. For route maps and schedules, visit the CARTA website.

Car Rentals

Onsite car rental agencies operate within the Rental Car Pavilion, located near Baggage Claim. The following car rental agencies are available in the pavilion: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty.  Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rentals deals.

Hotel Shuttles

Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western Plus Airport Inn & Suites   •   Charleston Plaza Hotel   •   Courtyard North Charleston Airport/Coliseum   •   Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport Convention Center   •   DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel North Charleston Convention Center  •   Embassy Suites by Hilton North Charleston – Airport/Hotel & Convention   •    Fairfield Inn & Suites Charleston Airport/Convention Center    •  Hampton Inn & Suites  •   Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport   •   Home2 Suites Charleston Airport / Convention Center   •   Homewood Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport / Conv. Center   •   Hyatt Place Charleston Airport and Convention Center   •   Residence Inn by Marriott – Charleston Airport.

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis and Shared Ride Shuttles

Taxis and shared-ride shuttles are readily available in the ground transportation area. All taxis are metered and reservations are not required.  Taxis minimum charge is $15.   For a list of estimated fares, visit the Charleston Airport website.

Airport shuttles are not available due to Covid-19 policies.

Last updated: 2024-01-31

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.