Welcome to Charleston!
Charleston is a city rich in history, tradition and Southern charm, attracting more than 6 million visitors a year. With CARTA, you can visit major destinations and shopping centers; explore great restaurants and entertainment events and much more. CARTA offers regular routes that services major destinations and free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) routes throughout peninsula.
Visitors can also now track our buses in real-time with the TRANSIT app, available for Apple and Android Devices.
Traveling in the Downtown area? Use Our FREE DASH Shuttle
When it comes to getting around downtown, nothing is quicker than hoping on a DASH Shuttle.
Traveling throughout the Charleston Area? Use our Fixed Route Bus Service
At CARTA, we provide over 4 million rides per year to the Charleston area and surrounding communities. Leave your car. Relax and enjoy. CARTA can connect you to Charleston’s world-renowned restaurants, shopping & entertainment venues, hotels and historic sites.
Need to get to the airport from downtown?
CARTA Route 11 Dorchester/Airport serves the airport and also travels directly into the downtown area. This route also serves many of the new hotels in North Charleston as well as Tanger Outlet and the North Charleston Coliseum/PAC.
Visitors With Disabilities
If you’re visiting Charleston and are disabled, you can ride CARTA at the discounted rate when you show your Medicare Card, or your Disabled ID Card from your home transit system. A visitor to the Charleston area may also use Tel-A-Ride if he or she is certified by another transit system or is found to be eligible for the service in Charleston. Likewise, a Tel-A-Ride patron may be eligible for similar service in other cities. Your Tel-A-Ride identification card will certify your eligibility for paratransit service in Charleston. For questions, send an email to askcarta@ridecarta.com or call 843-724-7420.
All CARTA Buses Are Equipped for Riders with Disabilities. CARTA is committed to making our public transit system increasingly accessible to members of the community with various disabilities. We make riding easy with these extra bus features:
- Lifts accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
- Buses lower or “kneel” to the curb to make boarding easy.
- Priority seating is available for customers with disabilities. These seats are conveniently located at the front of the bus. Bus operators will secure wheelchairs and scooters. Service animals are welcome.
- Fare is only $0.50 everyday, all day with valid CARTA Card.
- Riders with disabilities can ride the bus at a reduced fare. You must show your Medicare Card, or your Disabled ID Card from your home transit system.
Paratransit – Origin-to-Destination/Curb to Curb Service
If you have difficulty getting to the bus stop and/or riding fixed-route buses, view information on CARTA’s paratransit service Tel-A-Ride.
Other Resources
Airport
The Charleston International Airport is located at 5500 International Blvd. and has over 128 flights daily going to over 15 destinations. CARTA Route 11 Dorchester/Airport serves the airport and also travels directly into the downtown area. This route also serves many of the new hotels in North Charleston as well as Tanger Outlet and the North Charleston Coliseum/PAC. The bus stop at the airport is conveniently located near the passenger pick up area and the rental car pick up lot. For more info regarding maps, and times for this route please click here. Go to www.chs-airport.com for airport info regarding carriers and flights.
Trains
The Charleston Amtrak station is currently located at 4565 Gaynor Avenue. CARTA Route 10 Rivers Ave. currently serves the Amtrak station and travels directly into the downtown area or in the opposite direction to Charleston Southern University. Find the route times to the nearest bus stop to the train station and more. For more information regarding Amtrak’s schedule and rates, please visit www.amtrak.com.
Greyhound
Charleston’s Greyhound bus station is currently located at 3610 Dorchester Road in North Charleston, SC. CARTA Route 11 Dorchester/Airport route services the Greyhound bus station. This route has a convenient bus stop located directly in front of the Greyhound bus station. CARTA Route 11 Dorchester/Airport travels into the downtown area. This route also serves many of the new hotels in North Charleston as well as Tanger Outlet and the North Charleston Coliseum/PAC. For more information regarding greyhound bus routes and scheduling please visit www.greyhound.com.
