CHS decoded: Charleston airport code, SC vs WV clarity, and Lowcountry travel guide
Use the correct airport code to avoid booking a flight to West Virginia. Master Charleston International Airport (CHS) with accurate parking rates, CARTA bus info, rideshare zones, and terminal navigation.
Check these official live pages before driving to CHS
Use our guide for structural planning, but click through to official CHS dashboards for anything that changes by the minute, like garage availability or FAA delays.
What is the Charleston airport code?
CHS is the three-letter passenger/IATA code for Charleston International Airport, the main commercial airport serving the South Carolina Lowcountry. KCHS is the ICAO code used in aviation operations, and the FAA location identifier is also CHS.
Airport live checks & travel tools
Use current local conditions, official live-status links and planning calculators before you travel. Airline gate, terminal and flight times can change; your carrier remains the final source for flight-specific details.
Live flight center
Check the airport's official flight board, then confirm any last-minute gate or timing change with the airline.
Current airport-area weather
Useful for planning your trip to the airport. This is model-based local weather, not an aviation METAR or an airline operational forecast.
Quick official checks
Open the source that matches the decision you are making right now.
When should I reach the airport?
A planning estimate based on flight type and common time buffers. Always increase the buffer for severe weather, major holidays, unusual airport alerts or airline instructions.
Connection-risk checker
This is a planning heuristic, not an airline minimum-connection-time rule. International arrivals that require U.S. entry processing, baggage claim and security can need substantially more time.
Parking cost estimator
Uses the airport-specific rates stored in this article's configuration. Rates can change; verify availability and final pricing on the official parking page before driving in.
Passenger pickup readiness
Landing time is not curb-ready time. Add time for taxiing, deplaning, baggage claim, customs when applicable and walking to the correct pickup zone.
Tickets, baggage tags and flight searches.
Operational aviation systems.
U.S. airport/facility identifier.
United States of America.
Derived directly from the city name.
CHS airport code address and map
The official address for Charleston International Airport is 5500 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29418. It is situated right at the intersection of I-26 and I-526, approximately 12 miles northwest of historic downtown Charleston.
Charleston SC airport code vs Charleston WV airport code
A highly common booking mistake is mixing up the two capital-sounding Charlestons. CHS is in South Carolina. If you are traveling to the Appalachian region, you need a different code entirely.
Charleston, SC (South Carolina)
Code: CHS. Serves the Lowcountry, historic downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding SC beaches.
Charleston, WV (West Virginia)
Code: CRW. West Virginia International Yeager Airport. Located in the mountains. Do not book CHS if you intend to visit WV.
Top CHS details to know before arrival
One main checkpoint
Both Concourse A and Concourse B are accessed through a single, centralized TSA security checkpoint in the main terminal.
Rideshare is outside baggage
Uber and Lyft pickup is located at the designated Ground Transportation area just outside of the baggage claim curb.
Economy lot shuttles
If the Daily Deck is full, the Economy Lot ($13/day) runs a free shuttle to the terminal every 5 minutes.
Build a practical CHS travel plan
These tools calculate planning guidance directly on your device. They do not replace your operating airline or the official CHS parking dashboards.
Recommended terminal-arrival time
Parking daily-cap estimator
Pickup readiness checker
Downtown transport helper
Compare options for the 12-mile trip from CHS to downtown Charleston.
CHS Terminals: Concourse A and Concourse B
Charleston International Airport operates out of a single main terminal building shaped like a horseshoe. It is divided into two wings: Concourse A and Concourse B. Ticketing and check-in are centrally located.
Concourse A
Typically serves carriers like Delta Air Lines. Access is via the central TSA checkpoint.
Concourse B
Serves airlines including American, Southwest, JetBlue, Allegiant, and Breeze Airways. Also handles international arrivals.
CHS parking rates, locations, and clearances
CHS provides options ranging from immediate hourly parking to long-term economy shuttles. Free parking is offered for the first 48 hours for vehicles with valid handicap placards/plates (prevailing rates apply after 48 hours).
| Parking product | Current published rate | Details & Clearance |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Parking Garage | $3/hr; $21 daily max | Covered parking steps from the terminal. Height restriction: 7’11”. |
| Daily Parking Garage | $5/hr; $17 daily max | Multi-level covered facility with open top level. |
| Economy Lot | $5/hr; $13 daily max | Free shuttle to the terminal every 5 minutes. |
| Valet Parking | $10/hr; $25 daily max | Drop off at the terminal curb. |
| Overflow Lot | $5/hr; $13 daily max | Opens during peak travel when Economy is full. Includes shuttle. |
How to get from CHS to downtown Charleston
Charleston International Airport is roughly 12 miles from downtown. The drive takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic on I-26. You have three primary options: rideshare, taxi, or public transit.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
Follow signs to the Ground Transportation area outside Baggage Claim. Average Uber rides to downtown cost roughly $35-$45 depending on demand.
Taxis
Available on-demand at the outer commercial curb outside Baggage Claim. Taxis offer a flat or metered rate alternative if rideshare pricing is surging.
CARTA Route 11
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority operates Route 11, providing highly affordable public transit from the airport into downtown.
CHS Rental Car Pavilion
You do not need to take a shuttle bus to reach the rental cars at CHS. The Rental Car counters are located at the end of the main terminal building, just past the Baggage Claim area.
- 1Follow signs past Baggage Claim
Walk toward the Rental Car Pavilion attached to the terminal.
- 2Complete paperwork at the desk
Major brands operate counters directly inside the pavilion.
- 3Walk to your vehicle
Vehicles are picked up and returned in the adjacent Daily Parking Deck structure.
CHS travel-day checklist
Checklist progress is saved on this device.
Top 12 FAQs about Charleston airport code and CHS
What is the Charleston airport code?
What country is CHS airport in?
What is the CHS airport code address?
What is the Charleston SC airport code vs Charleston WV?
Does Charleston have an airport code in Canada?
What is the ICAO code for Charleston International?
What does the CHS airport code mean?
How many terminals does CHS have?
Where is the Uber pickup at CHS?
Does CARTA go to the Charleston airport?
How much is daily parking at CHS?
Is there a Cell Phone Lot at CHS?
Official sources, data audit, and update policy
This guide prioritizes Charleston International Airport (iflychs.com), CARTA, and FAA official sources. Official links appear inside explicit action boxes so you know exactly what to do upon reaching the official site.