Approaching the City
Visitors arriving at the Charleston International Airport will appreciate that the air exits, baggage claim area, and ground transportation facilities are all on one level for speedy accommodation to and from the terminal complex. The airport is located in North Charleston adjacent to the Charleston Air Force Base and uses the airport facilities and runways jointly with the USAF. Six commercial airlines (Continental Airlines, Delta, Northwest Airlines, Independence Air, U.S. Airways and United Express) offer national and international flights daily. Six private airports in the region can accommodate corporate and private aircraft.
For those motoring to Charleston, the major approaches from the north and south are U.S. Highway 17, a favorite coastal route, and I-95. Interstate 26, which terminates at Charleston, approaches from the west and links with Interstate 95 running north-south. U.S. Highway 52, paralleling Interstate 26 west of Charleston, and U.S. Highway 701 both approach Charleston from the north. Interstate 526, the Mark Clark Expressway, is a 19-mile freeway that forms a semicircle across the region from St. John's Island in the west to east of the Cooper River.
Traveling in the City
The peninsular city of Charleston is laid out in a grid pattern; however, city blocks are not uniform in size or shape. The downtown/historic district is bisected by King Street and Meeting Street. In the north, East Bay Street branches off Meeting Street and becomes East Battery Street and Murray Boulevard around the edge of the Battery. Ashley and Rutledge connect with the west end of Murray Boulevard. Major east-west streets are Calhoun, Broad, and Tradd.
Public bus service in Charleston is provided by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA). The Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) trolley provides affordable and convenient transportation from the Visitors Center to various points throughout the Historic District. The Mount Pleasant Shuttle provides service from the airport to area hotels. Charleston is easily explored on foot.
