Destination Guides: Charleston, United States - City Information

Population: 96,650

Elevation: 118 feet

County: Charleston

Land area: 97.0 square miles

Time Zone: Charleston is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone. When it is 12:00 noon in New York City; it is also 12:00 noon in Charleston. Daylight saving time is observed from the end of April through the end of October.

Charleston International Airport is in North Charleston on I-26, about 12 miles west of the city. Taxis and the airport shuttle provide transportation from the airport. All major car-rental facilities are available at the airport. If you are driving, follow the airport-access road to I-26 into the heart of Charleston.

The main north-south coastal route, U.S. 17, passes through Charleston; I-26 runs northwest to southeast, ending in Charleston. Charleston is 120 miles southeast of Columbia via I-26 and 98 miles south of Myrtle Beach via U.S. 17.

Getting Around

By Bus: City bus fares service is available from 5:35am to 10pm (until 1am to North Charleston). Between 9:30am and 3:30pm, senior citizens and the handicapped pay less. Exact change is required. For route and schedule information, call 843/724-7420.

The Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) is a quick and efficient way to get around the main downtown area daily. A day pass is available. For hours and routes, call 843/724-7420.

Charleston is laid out in an easy-to-follow grid pattern. The main north-south streets are King, Meeting, and East Bay streets. Tradd, Broad, Queen, and Calhoun streets cross the city from east to west. South of Broad Street, East Bay becomes East Battery.