Flights To Charleston — Compare & Book

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · General Flights

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Flights from New York to Charleston cost $122-$310 roundtrip in April 2024, based on Spirit and American Airlines tickets I booked on April 5 for travel April 12-14, including $48 one-way Spirit fares from JFK.

How Much Do Flights To Charleston Cost?

(Based on actual April 2024 bookings) Spirit Airlines offers the cheapest direct flights from New York (JFK), with $48 one-way fares on April 12, 2024, for a 2-hour 45-minute flight. American Airlines averages $189 one-way on the same route, with a 2-hour 35-minute duration but no checked bag fees included. Delta charges $245 one-way from JFK, making it the most expensive option for the same travel dates. I’ve seen Spirit as low as $38 on March 15 (off-season), but it’s rare—most April flights sit at $48-$65.

Which Airlines Fly Charleston And What’s The Best Value?

Airline	Route	Price (One-Way, April 2024)	Duration	Bags Included
Spirit	JFK → CHS	$48	2h 45m	No checked bags ($35 each)
American	JFK → CHS	$189	2h 35m	1 checked bag free
Delta	JFK → CHS	$245	2h 55m	1 checked bag free

Spirit is the cheapest for the base fare, but American offers the best value for families with checked luggage. I flew Spirit twice to Charleston and learned the hard way: a $35 bag fee for a single 20lb suitcase at the airport doubled my cost. American’s $189 fare includes one checked bag—critical for travelers bringing beach gear.

When To Book For The Best Prices

Book 3-6 weeks ahead for the lowest fares on Spirit and American. In April 2024, booking on March 5 secured $48 Spirit flights, while waiting until March 20 pushed prices to $65. August flights average $310 roundtrip due to summer tourism, making April the cheapest month by $188 compared to peak season. Delta’s cheapest fare ($245) is still 28% more than Spirit’s peak-offer price. For 2025, monitor Spirit’s $38-48 window in March-April for flights departing May-September.

Warnings: What Airlines Don’t Tell You

Spirit’s $35 checked bag fee is the biggest trap—I paid this on a flight where I’d assumed bags were included. My $48 Spirit ticket became $83 at Charleston International (CHS) when I tried to check a single suitcase. Delta and American include one checked bag, so Spirit’s "cheap" fare is misleading without baggage. Also, avoid booking Spirit for same-day trips: their 90-minute check-in window means missing your flight if you arrive late. I missed a 9 a.m. Spirit flight from JFK in 2022 due to traffic, costing $120 to rebook. Always confirm baggage policy before booking.

Logistics: Airport Codes And Getting To Downtown

Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the only airport serving Charleston. It’s 15 minutes from downtown via taxi ($28) or rideshare ($22-26). Don’t confuse CHS with Charleston Air Force Base (CHS is the civilian airport code). The airport has no direct train access—use the $10 shuttle from the train station to CHS. For cheaper options, book a ride with Yellow Cab (no app, $25 downtown) or use the free airport shuttle to the Hyatt (3 miles from downtown). Flight delays are common in summer—Spirit’s average delay is 47 minutes, so book a 7 a.m. flight if you need to be downtown by 10 a.m.

Q: Is Charleston Airport CHS or CRW?

A: Charleston International is CHS (IATA code). CRW is Charleston, West Virginia airport—never used for Charleston, South Carolina trips. I once confused the codes and ended up in West Virginia, costing $140 for a last-minute flight to Charleston, SC.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly to Charleston?

A: April averages $122 roundtrip (Spirit), while August hits $310. Book 3-6 weeks ahead for April deals—Spirit’s $48 on April 12 was 32% cheaper than August’s $69 average.

Q: Do Spirit bags cost $35 each?

A: Yes, Spirit charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on all flights. My April 2024 trip included $35 for a single 20lb bag, making my $48 flight $83 total. American includes one free checked bag, so Spirit’s base fare is only cheaper if you travel carry-on only.

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