Fly & Cruise Hotels Near Port of Charleston, South Carolina
If you're flying in before your cruise, the hotels below are picked specifically because they run a reliable airport shuttle — land, get a good night's sleep, and get to the ship the next morning without arranging your own transportation.
- Terminal Update: Union Pier has permanently closed to cruise ships — ships now dock approximately 1.5 miles from the historic district. Confirm your terminal address with your cruise line before arrival.
- CHS (Charleston International) — ~12 miles from the cruise terminal; ~20–25 min by rideshare; direct flights from major East Coast and Midwest hubs
- Best area to stay: French Quarter / King Street — 20 min rideshare from CHS, short rideshare to the new terminal (~$8–$12)
- Budget option: North Charleston hotels near CHS — closer to the airport, 20 min to the terminal, lower nightly rates
- Night before: King Street for dinner (book ahead — top restaurants fill up); The Gin Joint for cocktails; evening stroll along the Battery
- Extra day? Fort Sumter boat tour, Middleton Place plantation, Rainbow Row — Charleston has enough to fill 2–3 days easily
Charleston International Airport is a short drive from the historic district and cruise terminal, and fly-cruise hotel packages here often place you downtown near the Battery, letting you see the city's historic sites the day before you sail.
The Dewberry, a standout downtown Charleston hotel, offers guests complimentary house-car transportation within about five square miles — handy for covering both the airport and the port depending on your timing.