Planning a Trip to Kiawah Island? Here are the Best Ways to Get Here

Getting to Kiawah Island is easy. After all, at any moment you’re only a car ride or non-stop flight away from a relaxing stay in paradise. No matter where you live in the country, we have the information you need to get to Kiawah quickly and effortlessly. 

So, if you’re wondering how to get to Kiawah Island, wonder no longer! Regardless of where you’re traveling from, we have the exact directions and flight information to get you here. 

How To Get To Kiawah Island Traveling By Plane

Internationally

If you’re traveling across the pond, British Airways offers a direct flight from London’s Heathrow Airport to Charleston International — and they’re the only ones doing so. This recent change is exciting for Island locals and visitors alike, since direct international flights weren’t an option prior to 2019. Now, those traveling from London can arrive to Charleston in as little as eight hours, allowing you to make the most out of your stay without having to worry about wasting a day due to travel. 

Eastbound

For those traveling by plane from areas such as Atlanta or Seattle, there are direct flights available. American Airlines offers nonstop, one-hour flights to Charleston from Charlotte. Delta also offers one-hour flights to Charleston from Atlanta. 

While there are fewer direct flights from the West Coast, a few select airlines offer nonstop flights to Charleston. Alaska Airlines offers a direct flight from Seattle to Charleston. Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines also offers nonstop flights from Denver to Charleston. 

Discovering how to get to Kiawah Island from the Midwest is also becoming much easier. Many flights are available through Southwest Airlines, which offers direct flights to Charleston from Dallas, Chicago, Houston, Nashville, and St. Louis. 

American Airlines also flies direct to Charleston from Dallas, United Airlines from Chicago and Houston, and Delta from Detroit. 

Southbound

Traveling Southbound to Kiawah Island from areas like Charlotte and Washington D.C. is easy to do by plane as well. 

If you live nearby but don’t feel like driving, American Airlines offers nonstop, one-hour flights to Charleston from Charlotte. JetBlue and United Airlines offers a direct flight to Charleston from Washington D.C as well. 

American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, United Airlines, and Southwest also fly direct from the Northern states. JetBlue connects directly to Charleston via Boston and New York, American Airlines through Philadelphia, Delta through New York City, United Airlines through Newark, and Southwest through Baltimore. If you’re flying Southbound, there are plenty of nonstop flights to get you to Kiawah Island. 

Northbound

Those traveling Northbound from Florida may choose to fly direct to Kiawah. JetBlue and American Airlines both offer nonstop flights from Florida. JetBlue flies directly to Charleston from Fort Lauderdale, and American Airlines is nonstop from Miami.

Silver Airways also recently announced they will also be offering non-stop flights to Charleston from Orlando, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale beginning in May 2020. 

How To Get To Kiawah Island Traveling By Car

From Downtown Charleston

Getting to Kiawah Island from nearby Downtown Charleston is easy. The Island is only 21 miles South of historic Charleston, so it’s a quick 45-minute trip to Kiawah. No flights required!

From the Airport

There are many international and private airports nearby that are a quick drive to Kiawah Island. One of which is the Charleston International Airport (CHS), which is only a 33-mile drive from the Island. 

When exiting CHS:

• Keep right onto the International Boulevard toward the airport exit.
• In 1.3 miles, turn right towards Savannah. Merge onto Interstate 526 West.
• At the end of the Interstate, turn right onto Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.
• Follow the road and turn right onto Savannah Highway.
• Stay on Savannah Highway for 4.5 miles, then turn left onto Main Road.
• In 17 miles, you will approach a roundabout. Take the third exit onto Kiawah Island Parkway.
• In 2 miles, take a right onto Beachwalker Drive.
• Once you enter the Island, you will pass through a security gate on the left. 

Charleston Executive Airport (JZI) is the closest and is only 15 miles away from the Island. For travelers using a private plane, this is the airport to arrive and depart from. 

When exiting JZI:

• Turn left onto River Road.
• In 8.7 miles, turn left onto Betsy Kerrison Parkway.
• In 3 miles, you will arrive at a roundabout. Take the third exit onto Kiawah Island Parkway. 
• In 2 miles, take a right onto Beachwalker Drive.
• Once you enter the Island, you will pass through a security gate on the left. 

If you’re looking to get to Kiawah quickly, these are the airports we suggest. However, there are more options. Hilton Head Island, Savannah International, Myrtle Beach International, Columbia Metro, Florence Regional, Charlotte-Douglas International, and Greenville-Spartanburg airports are also within driving distance to the Island. 

Eastbound

For those traveling Eastbound from nearby areas such as Atlanta and Columbia, here are the directions to reach Kiawah Island by car.

• Follow Interstate 20 East to Columbia.
• Merge onto Interstate 26 East towards Charleston.
• Follow the signs and merge onto Interstate 526 West towards Savannah.
• At the end of the Interstate, turn right onto Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.
• Follow the road and turn right onto Savannah Highway.
• Stay on Savannah Highway for 4.5 miles, then turn left onto Main Road.
• In 17 miles, you will approach a roundabout. Take the third exit onto Kiawah Island Parkway.
• In 2 miles, take a right onto Beachwalker Drive.
• Once you enter the Island, you will pass through a security gate on the left.

Southbound

Here’s how to drive to Kiawah Island from areas such as Charlotte and Virginia.

• Follow Interstate 77 South to Columbia.
• Merge onto Interstate 26 East towards Charleston.
• Follow the signs and merge onto Interstate 526 West towards Savannah.
• At the end of the Interstate, turn right onto Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.
• Follow the road and turn right onto Savannah Highway.
• Stay on Savannah Highway for 4.5 miles, then turn left onto Main Road.
• In 17 miles, you will approach a roundabout. Take the third exit onto Kiawah Island Parkway.
• In 2 miles, take a right onto Beachwalker Drive.
• Once you enter the Island, you will pass through a security gate on the left. 

Northbound

If you’re driving to Kiawah Island from Florida, here’s the route to take. 

• Follow Interstate 95 North towards South Carolina.
• Get off on Exit 33 to US Highway 17 North.
• Stay on US Highway 17 North for 52 miles — this turns into Savannah Highway. 
• Turn right onto Main Road.
• In 17 miles, you will approach a roundabout. Take the third exit onto Kiawah Island Parkway.
• In 2 miles, take a right onto Beachwalker Drive.
• Once you enter the Island, you will pass through a security gate on the left. 

Still wondering how to get to Kiawah Island? Give us a call. Many of our Sales Executives have lived on the Island for over 30 years, so we know Kiawah better than anyone else. We can provide additional directions, refer transportation, and show you the best the Island has to offer during your stay. 

The hardest part about getting to the Island is knowing you’ll have to leave it. So why not make things more permanent? Contact us to learn about our available listings. We can help you purchase (or build) the home, villa, or cottage of your dreams here on Kiawah Island. 

Happy traveling! We hope to see you soon.