CHARLESTON TRANSPORTATION
AIR
Charleston International Airport (CHS)
Car Rental options - call 843-767-1100.
Taxis from the airport to downtown cost $20-22. For each passenger in excess of two, a fee of $10 per passenger per trip is charged.
Shuttles: the rate for Peninsular Charleston, which includes Downtown, is $10 per passenger. Mt. Pleasant Airport Shuttle also provides service from 5am-Midnight; call 843-971-4901
TRAINS
Amtrak Silver Service/Palmetto trains arrive daily from the eastern seaboard. The North Charleston train station is located between US 78 and Durant Ave at 4565 Gaynor Ave; call the local station at 843-744-8264 or Amtrak Reservations 800-872-7245. Many train travelers in the NYC-Philadelphia-DC-Richmond-Jacksonville rail corridor will find a diversion to Charleston convenient and scenic. The train offers Coach and Business Class seating.
TRANSIT
CARTA buses provide service 7 days a week, 6am-Midnight, except New Year's, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Tickets available online, through your bus or trolley driver, at area Piggly Wiggly stores, the Charleston Visitor Reception and Transportation Center or the CARTA office at 36 John Street; 843-724-7420.
TOURS
Gullah Tours
Gullah native, Alphonso Brown offers a lively tour of historic Charleston including information on Gullah life and language, Black historical sites, highlights of people and neighborhoods that inspired the musical Porgy & Bess; a highlight of the tour is a stop at the home and workshop of Iron Master Philip Simmons who created many of the beautiful and intricate wrought iron gates found all around Charleston; 9 Trachelle Lane, Charleston; 843-763-7551; http://www.gullahtours.com
Gullah 'n Geechee Mahn Tours
A premier Gullah Tours company; 843-838-7516
Sites and Insights Tours
Al Miller hosts Porgy & Bess, Black History Tours of Charleston and Sea Island Tours (which covers portions of Johns and James Islands); Porgy & Bess Tour and the Black History are given in one tour; 843-762-0051; http://www.Sitesandinsightstours.com
DASH Trolleys
An low cost, comfortable, no stress way for guided tours to most popular tourist destinations; a great way to view Charleston's distinguished architecture; 843-724-7420; http://www.ridecarta.com
Horse-drawn Carriages
You can rent them in various downtown locations for a relaxing view of city gardens and architecture.
CRUISES
Spirit Line Cruises
Enjoy a historic tour of Fort Sumter where the Civil War began; a dinner cruise option is available; 800-789-3678; http://www.spiritlinecruises.com
Charleston Harbor Tours
Oldest tour of the harbor, since 1908; features 90 minute cruises
DRIVING
Charleston Freeways are generally easy to get around during commute hours. When driving here from I-95 freeway, take I-26 freeway east and OBEY posted speed limits, which vary from 65 mph downwards. Freeways and major highway names are:
17 State highway from Charleston going southwest to I-95 freeway
26 Interstate freeway from Charleston northwest to I-95 freeway
78 US highway between N. Charleston and Charleston
95 Interstate freeway connecting the East coast
171 State highway from western Charleston to Folly Beach
526 Interstate beltway surrounding 2/3rds of Charleston
701 US highway connecting coastal cities in South Carolina
703 State highway connecting US 703 near Charleston to Sullivan Island
BLACK CULTURAL TRAVEL MADE EASY