Getting to Charleston

    Air travel. Charleston has an airport (Charleston International Airport) served by Continental, Delta, and Northwest Airlines, US Airways, United Express and Independence Air. Alternatives are to fly to Columbia SC, Savannah GA, Charlotte NC, Atlanta GA, rent a car and drive 2-5 hours to Charleston. Or, travel by Amtrack... Or, drive the entire way...

    Driving to Charleston
    Charleston is located on the coast of South Carolina, about mid-way between Georgia to the south and North Carolina to the north. I-95 runs more or less north-south through South Carolina, intersecting I-26 (east-west) around 40 miles west of Charleston. The Interstate route to Charleston would either be I-95 to I-26 to Charleston, or any of a number of routes to Columbia, SC (in the middle of the state), picking up I-26 in Columbia and continuing on I-26 to Charleston. I-26 originates in Asheville, NC and passes Columbia en route to Charleston. If you are in the north east and have the time, the best drive would be to follow the coast, crossing the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay bridges, driving along Cape Hatteras to Okracoke Island where you take a ferry back to the mainland, and continue to follow the coast highway to Charleston.

    Charleston is about 100 miles from Columbia, and around 200 miles from the Raleigh-Durham NC area; a not too bad drive from the Washington DC area but a long day's drive from New York. Charleston is probably a 5 hour drive from Atlanta, and 6-7 hours from Knoxville, TN. Gainesville, FL would be about a 7 hour drive.

Getting from Charleston Airport to Francis Marion Hotel

    Taxi from airport to the Francis Marion Hotel is estimated at $20 (1 or 2 passengers; additional $10 per each additional passenger).

    Airport shuttle, "Peninsular Charleston") is listed at $10 per trip. I will post information on this shuttle (route, etc) when I learn more.

    City bus (CARTA). Apparently in keeping with the taxi lobby, while city bus routes surround the airport, no buses actually enter the airport proper. So, no inexpensive public transportation appears to exist from airport to city center. A route map for the public bus system is available HERE.

    Getting to the Francis Marion Hotel (hotel web site; driving, parking, hotel location)

Getting around Charleston

    Charleston is one of the most walkable cities in the United States. The Francis Marion Hotel is at the north edge of the historic district, in the center of the Charleston peninsula. Walking to many restaurants and shops requires only a modest effort. Nevertheless, walking can take it out of you, and a quick return or otherwise trip can be desirable. In addition to taxis, Charleston has an excellent public transportation system, especially within the historic district (doubtless insuring that tourists have every opportunity to buy things...).

    CARTA is the public bus system. Single rides are $1; one and three day passes can be purchased from the bus driver or from the visitor center for $3 and $7 respectively. A bus route map can be downloaded HERE.

    Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH, 6AM - midnight) offers transportation throughout historic district. As far as I can tell, DASH and CARTA are the same thing (different routes) and the passes serve either bus type. Presumably a route map can be obtained from the Visitor Center. Single rides $1 (exact change required; transfers available), 25 cents for seniors before 3 p.m.; all-day passes $3 and three-day pass $7 can be purchased from the bus driver or the Visitor Center (1 block from hotel). The CARTA web site is http://www.ridecarta.com.

The Charleston Visitor Center

    Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St. (about 1 block from the Francis Marion Hotel)
    Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (843)853-8000

Parking.

    Valet parking at hotel is $14 per day (unlimited in and out; charged to room).
    Parking in nearby public garages is $10 / 24 hr period.
    Street parking is metered.