Arrival Information

Charleston International Airport is about twelve miles north of downtown, off I-526; the airport shuttle (tel 843/767-7113) costs $10, while a taxi ride with Yellow Cabs (tel 843/577-6565) costs around $21. Both Amtrak - 4565 Gaynor Ave, eight miles north of downtown - and Greyhound - at 3610 Dorchester Rd, out near I-26 - are in inconvenient and potentially dangerous locations. From downtown, a taxi ride to either location will cost $14. Local public transportation isn't bad, however: CARTA buses (75¢ in exact change; day pass $2, 3-day pass $5; tel 843/747-0922) cover most areas, including near Amtrak (due to an unavoidable walk down an embankment to the train station, CARTA recommends a cab at night) and in front of Greyhound, for 75¢; Downtown Area Shuttles (DASH; tel 843/724-7420) runs a variety of routes through the historic district south of Calhoun Street, which all stop at the visitor center (Mon-Fri every 15min from 8am; last bus times vary; same prices). You can rent bikes from The Bicycle Shoppe, 280 Meeting St (tel 843/722-8168).

Charleston's huge and well-equipped visitor center, 375 Meeting St (summer daily 8.30am-5.30pm; rest of year daily 8.30am-5pm; tel 1-800/868-8118), has discount coupons, leaflets and maps, and shows a film about the town ($2.50). The post office is at 557 E Bay St (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-2pm; zip code 29401).