According to Charleston-area Uber spokesperson Kaitlin Durkosh, the base fare is actually $1.50 plus $1.25 per mile, plus 18 cents per minute.
Usually, rental car companies sell their cars once the vehicles are 12 to 18 months old. But when the pandemic began limiting travel, rental car companies took a major hit and quickly sold significant chunks of their fleets without buying replacements. (That's why renting cars is so expensive lately too.)
The best way to get around Charleston is on foot. That said, you'll probably enjoy the use of a car too. Having a car is especially helpful if you're staying in the city outskirts or if you plan on indulging in some beach time. City buses and trolleys are available too, as are taxis.
Outmaneuver Fees and Industry QuirksFor example, cars rented at the airport are almost always more expensive because of added taxes and fees. Rent at an off-airport location and you could save 20 percent or more.
Yes, our free pick-up service is available at non-airport locations and during normal business hours. To schedule your pick up time or make additional arrangements, please call your local rental office directly.
You don't need a car in Downtown Charleston! And luckily, most of our most popular attractions are right in the historic city center. You'll be able to get to all these spots without renting a car.
An easy-to-navigate, regional airport, Charleston International has one passenger terminal with a central area for ticketing/check-in, security, baggage claim, and other amenities. Concourse A has five gates and is served by Delta Air Lines, while Concourse B has 10 gates served by the other carriers.
Amtrak runs two trains a day from Savannah to Charleston – the Palmetto & the Silver Meteor. The train is also the quickest option to get between the two cities, at a mere hour and a half travel time. Advance purchase of a train ticket is just $22 each way, making it the cheapest option!
The average cost of a car rental in Charleston for a month is $1,698.
The Charleston Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) is the most convenient way to get around downtown Charleston. The city recently replaced the DASH Trolley's (pictured at top of page) with buses. These buses are free to everyone and operate in the Downtown historic area.
There are so many things to do in both cities! If you're into history, you'll probably find a little more in Charleston, although there is so much in Savannah too – so it's almost not worth comparing them on these grounds.
… One of the more delightful treats in the southern U.S. is Charleston. It is a wonderful city with wonderful people and terrific things to see and to do. Whether you walk about, take a carriage ride or just motor slowly around, every corner turned brings with it a unique new.
Downtown Charleston lends itself a European feel and is a highly sought-after place to live, making it more expensive than other areas. The average home price in the area is just over $700,000.
Things to do In Charleston SC on a Weekend Getaway
- Visit The Museums and Houses of Charleston.
- Go back in time with a Carriage Ride through downtown.
- Take a Boat Tour to Fort Sumter.
- Watch the Sunset at Folly Beach.
- Visit Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.
- Visit the Old Plantation Houses of Charleston.
Charleston Hotels and Places to Stay
- Charleston Place, A Belmond Hotel, Charleston. View Hotel.
- The Meeting Street Inn. View Hotel.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District.
- Hampton Inn Charleston - Historic District.
- The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel.
- Two Meeting Street Inn.
- French Quarter Inn.
- The Ryder Hotel.
Public transportation system offers several ways to get around Charleston. Free to ride DASH. These shuttles run through-out the peninsula to major shops and attractions.
Things to Do near Charleston Intl Airport (CHS)
- North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center.
- Charleston Kayak Company.
- Drayton Hall.
- Crafted Travel.
- Charleston Black Cab Company.
- Tanger Outlets Charleston.
- Charleston Fossil Adventures.
- Holy City Helicopters.
There is a $15 minimum charge for all taxi services departing from CHS Airport. Taxis are metered at 2,52$ per mile up to two passengers. For three or more passengers a fee of 14$ per passenger will be charged.
Enterprise Rent A Car appears to be the low cost provider – $20 “cheaper” per day, but when you look at the total cost of the solution and value of it, it's actually more expensive, an inconvenience, and provides less value than Hertz!
Car rental agencies want to get rid of as many cars as possible, no matter the cost -- and agents usually have a good amount of room for negotiation. If you don't have a reservation but do have a few minutes to hit multiple rental car companies, find the one with the fullest parking lot, walk in, and negotiate.
At participating Enterprise rental locations, a vehicle can be rented in one location and returned to another; however, please be advised that: Some one way rentals are assessed a one-time drop charge or mileage charge in addition to the rental rate. Please book your one way rentals in advance.
National provides customers with a fast, convenient car rental experience. Renting with National allows you to: Pick up your car any time of the day. Most National airport locations are open 24/7.
All vehicles are subject to availability. If there is a particular car you require, please let us know when booking, or ask our branch staff when you pick up your vehicle and if it is available, we'll do our best to accomodate.
A drop charge is a fee for picking up a rental car at one location and returning it to a different location. The rental car drop fee varies depending on location and time of year. If you have to pay a drop charge, it will be disclosed at the time of reservation.
Avis offers convenient one-way rentals at attractive rates. Pick up a car at one location and return it to another. Car type and availability vary by participating locations, and a drop-off charge may apply on certain rates.
Hertz will not accept debit cards or prepaid cash cards as a form of payment or guarantee at the time of reservation, or time of pickup. You must present a valid and accepted charge card mentioned above, at the beginning of the rental. Debit cards may be used for payment upon return.
With the Avis Curbside Delivery program, Avis will pick you up from the car return location and drop you off at the airport terminal, allowing you to bypass the shuttle bus. Curbside delivery is an optional add-on available at 35 airports so far.
