Parking Overview
Charleston International Airport (CHS) Short-Term Parking is the on-airport Hourly Parking Garage (also called the Hourly Deck). It’s designed for convenience: you park, lock up, and walk straight to the terminal without waiting on a shuttle.
This facility is best for quick pickups/drop-offs, meeting arriving passengers, short business trips, and travelers who value the shortest walk over the lowest price. Expect a typical airport garage experience—easy access, clear signage, and fast terminal reach—at a higher daily cost than economy parking.
Pricing
- Hourly rate: $3 per hour
- Daily maximum: $21 per day
- Estimated weekly cost: about $147 (7 days x $21)
Compared with other CHS on-site options, the Hourly Garage is the priciest self-park choice but also the most convenient. The Daily Parking Garage is typically cheaper at $17/day (about $119/week), while the Economy Lot runs about $13/day (about $91/week) with a shuttle. If you want maximum convenience, Valet Parking is curbside at $25/day (about $175/week).
Discounts and loyalty programs aren’t specified for this facility in the provided airport data, so plan on paying posted rates at the entry/exit. Payment is typically handled at the pay station or exit lanes; bring a major credit/debit card as the most universally accepted option.
Getting to Your Terminal
The Hourly Parking Garage is a short walk to the terminal and does not use shuttles. From your car to check-in, most travelers should budget roughly 5–10 minutes, depending on where you park and how busy the pedestrian routes are.
Because it’s a garage next to the terminal, you’ll generally have less weather exposure than surface lots, but you may still encounter some open-air walking depending on the exact path and level. For tight timelines (early flights or pickups with curbside congestion), this is usually the fastest on-site choice.
Features & Security
- Covered parking: Yes (garage)
- Shuttle: No shuttle needed
- Lighting/security: Typical airport garage environment; use well-lit aisles and note your level/section for quicker returns
- EV charging: Not listed in the available data (assume unavailable unless you confirm on-site)
- Car wash/detailing: Not listed
- Accessibility: Garage parking is generally the easiest for reduced walking; follow accessible parking signage and use elevators/ramps where available
Booking Tips
- Arrive with a backup plan: If the Hourly Garage is full, go straight to the Daily Garage ($17/day) for a similar walk-to-terminal experience, or the Economy Lot ($13/day) to save more (with a shuttle).
- Peak periods: Holiday weekends and Monday mornings can fill closest-in parking first—build extra time to reroute.
- Keep your ticket/payment method handy: The biggest delays are usually at exit lanes; paying before you return to the car can save time.
- Know your true cost: If you’re staying multiple days, compare the weekly total—economy can save meaningful money, while valet can save time if you’re running tight.