Charleston Airport Parking Guide: Cheapest to Closest Options at CHS
Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the busiest airport in South Carolina, and with Charleston one of America’s favourite getaway cities, its car parks can fill up fast — especially around holidays. CHS keeps things simple with a handful of official options, and the cheapest one isn’t always the one you’d expect.
This guide compares every official parking option at Charleston airport, shows which is cheapest for short and long trips, and covers the tips that save you time and money.
Quick answer:
- Cheapest for trips of a day or more: the Economy Lot (shuttle every 5 minutes)
- Cheapest for a few hours: the Hourly Parking Garage — which is also the closest
- Covered parking for longer trips: the Daily Parking Garage
- Least walking: Valet, at the terminal curb
- Picking someone up: the free Cell Phone Waiting Area
Charleston Airport Parking Prices Compared
| Parking option | Hourly rate | Daily maximum | Getting to the terminal | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Lot | $5/hour | $13 | Free shuttle every 5 min | Cheapest for trips of a day or more |
| Overflow Lot | $5/hour | $13 | Free shuttle every 5 min | Only opens when the Economy Lot is full |
| Daily Parking Garage | $5/hour | $17 | Short walk | Covered parking for multi-day trips |
| Hourly Parking Garage | $3/hour | $21 | Short walk | Stays of a few hours, closest parking |
| Valet | — | $25 | Drop at the terminal curb | Least walking |
| Cell Phone Waiting Area | Free | Free | — | Waiting to pick someone up |
Rates checked 9 October 2026 from the official Charleston International Airport website. Rates change — always check iflychs.com/parking before you travel.
Which option is cheapest?
- Up to about 4 hours: the Hourly Garage wins, because its hourly rate is the lowest. A 3-hour stay costs about $9 there versus $13 in the Economy Lot.
- Overnight and longer: the Economy Lot wins. A full week costs about $91, compared with about $119 in the Daily Garage and $147 in the Hourly Garage.
- Valet costs only a few dollars a day more than the Hourly Garage’s daily max — worth knowing if you’re running late or travelling with kids and luggage.
Map for reference only. Lot positions are approximate. For live availability, check the official CHS parking page.
Charleston Airport Economy Lot (Long Term Parking)
For most trips of a day or longer, the Economy Lot is the cheapest official parking at CHS. It’s a surface lot across from the Daily Parking Garage, open 24 hours, with free shuttles to and from the terminal every five minutes. Accessible spaces are next to the shuttle pickup shelters.
Good to know:
- Maximum stay is 30 days.
- Keep your ticket — the lost-ticket fee is charged at the full daily rate for every day.
- Allow an extra 10–15 minutes for parking and the shuttle.
The Overflow Lot (Holiday Backup)
When the Economy Lot fills up, CHS opens its Overflow Lot, behind the CRAA Annex Building (entrance from Porsche Blvd / the rental car access road). It costs the same as the Economy Lot and is served by the same 5-minute shuttle.
The airport says the Economy Lot filling up is common during busy periods, including holidays. If you’re flying out around Thanksgiving, Christmas or a long weekend, expect to be directed to the Overflow Lot — or leave yourself extra time.
CHS Daily Parking Garage (Covered Parking)
The Daily Parking Garage is a multi-level garage across from the Economy Lot, within walking distance of the terminal — no shuttle needed. It costs a little more than the Economy Lot, but your car stays out of the Lowcountry summer sun and the afternoon thunderstorms.
Good to know:
- The top level is open-air; the levels below are covered.
- The garage has security, enhanced lighting and clear wayfinding signs.
- Maximum stay is 30 days.
Best for: multi-day trips when you want covered parking and a walk instead of a shuttle.
CHS Hourly Parking Garage (Closest Parking)
The Hourly Parking Garage is the closest self-park option — a short walk to the terminal. Its hourly rate is the lowest at the airport, so for quick trips like dropping someone off, meeting a flight or a same-day return, it’s both the closest and the cheapest choice. For overnight stays, its daily maximum is the highest of the self-park options.
Good to know:
- Two floors are covered; the third floor is open-air.
- Accessible spaces are on the second floor.
- Maximum vehicle height is 7’11” — taller than most airport garages, handy for vans and SUVs with roof racks.
- Maximum stay is 30 days.
Valet Parking at Charleston Airport
CHS valet lets you pull up at the terminal curb, hand over your keys and walk a few steps to check-in. Considering how little it costs over the Hourly Garage’s daily maximum, it’s one of the better-value valet services at a US airport.
Good to know:
- The valet drop-off booth is open 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; the pickup counter is staffed 24/7.
- When you land, collect your car at the Valet Service desk at the end of baggage claim.
- Valet phone: (843) 767-7063.
- Valet doesn’t offer the accessible-parking discount (see below).
Picking Someone Up? Use the Free Cell Phone Waiting Area
Skip circling the terminal. The Cell Phone Waiting Area is free and has about 80 spaces, on the right side of International Blvd just before the main terminal drop-off. Wait there until your passenger has their bags, then pull up to the curb.
The only rule: you must stay with your vehicle.
Accessible Parking at CHS
Travellers with a valid state disability placard or licence plate get the first 48 hours of parking free. After that, the normal Daily Garage or surface-lot rate applies.
To qualify at the exit, you need the valid placard or plate, a matching government ID, and the placard or plate holder must be in the vehicle. This discount isn’t available for valet.
Off-Airport Parking Near Charleston Airport
Private lots near CHS run their own shuttles and can sometimes undercut the official lots on longer trips, often with the option to book a guaranteed space in advance — useful because the official CHS lots are first-come, first-served. The trade-off is a longer shuttle ride and checking each operator’s pickup times.
Parking booking sites let you compare lots near CHS side by side and reserve before you leave home.
How to Save Money on CHS Parking
- Match the lot to the length of your trip. Hourly Garage for a few hours, Economy Lot for anything overnight. The difference adds up fast on a week-long trip.
- Arrive early on holidays. The official lots don’t take reservations, so when the Economy Lot fills you’ll be sent to the Overflow Lot and its shuttle. Build in extra time.
- Keep your ticket. A lost ticket is charged at the full daily rate for every day you were parked.
- Don’t wait at the curb or in a garage. The Cell Phone Waiting Area is free.
- Check if you qualify for accessible parking. The first 48 hours are free with a valid placard or plate.
Parking vs Uber or Lyft at CHS
For short trips, a rideshare there and back is often cheaper than parking. For longer trips, the Economy Lot usually wins. A quick way to decide:
Rideshare cost = your one-way fare × 2 Parking cost = daily rate × number of days
Whichever total is lower is your answer. At CHS, rideshare pickups are in Zones 1, 2 and 3 — follow the signs from baggage claim to the sheltered pickup area across both roadways. Taxis wait in the centre median outside baggage claim, and CARTA buses to downtown Charleston stop at a covered shelter just outside baggage claim.
Charleston Airport Parking FAQs
What is the cheapest parking at Charleston airport?
For trips of a day or more, the Economy Lot is the cheapest official option, with a free shuttle every five minutes. For stays of only a few hours, the Hourly Parking Garage is cheaper because it has the lowest hourly rate.
Can you reserve parking at Charleston airport?
The official CHS lots and garages don’t list online reservations — spaces are first-come, first-served. Some private off-airport lots near CHS do let you book ahead.
What happens when the Economy Lot is full?
CHS opens the Overflow Lot behind the CRAA Annex Building, at the same rate and with the same 5-minute shuttle. This is common during holidays and busy travel periods.
Is there covered parking at Charleston airport?
Yes. The Daily Parking Garage and the Hourly Parking Garage are both covered, apart from their open-air top levels.
How long can I park at CHS?
The maximum stay in the garages, the Economy Lot and the Overflow Lot is 30 days.
Where do I pick up my car from valet at CHS?
At the Valet Service desk at the end of baggage claim. The pickup counter is staffed 24 hours a day.
Where do I wait to pick someone up at Charleston airport?
At the free Cell Phone Waiting Area on the right side of International Blvd, just before the terminal. You must stay with your vehicle.
What payment does CHS parking accept?
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and cash are accepted at the exit stations.