Headed to the Charleston cruise port to drop off or pick up passengers? First things first — pat yourself on the back. With parking costing $20 per day at the port, you’re saving your guests some serious cash for their cruise. That to say nothing of saving them the hassle and time of dealing with parking.
To help you navigate your port, we’ve provided all the details and pictures to help you get to the cruise ship and let your passengers get started on their trip.
For those unfamiliar, the Charleston cruise port is located on the southeast side of the Charleston peninsula. It has two entrances, one for cars planning to park and one for taxis, buses and others that will drop off passengers.
If you parking, then you will want to go to Gate #2 of the Union Pier Cruise Terminal (this includes Uber/Lyft drivers). This gate is located at the intersections of Laurens and Concord streets. If you are using GPS, use the address 280 Concord Street to take you to the correct location.
Once arriving, you will need to show your cruise documents to the port staff members.
Dropping Off at the Port
If you are in a dropping off passengers at the Charleston cruise port, then you will go to the main gate. This is located on the west side of the cruise terminal. The address used by the port is 32 Washington Street.
However, entering that address into Google Maps leads to a building just north of the port. Instead, use the location shown in the map above. The entrance is seen below…
At the entrance your passengers will need to have their cruise documents and identification with them. After entering, you’ll be directed to the luggage drop-off area to check any bags that passengers will be taking on the ship. Passengers will then need to head to the check-in area. A shuttle will take them to the cruise terminal.
Picking Up at the Port of Charleston
If you are picking up guests after their trip, the process is a bit easier. You can simply pick them up in the parking lots in front of the cruise terminal, located at 196 Market Street.
If traffic is heavy, we’d recommend just waiting a couple of blocks away and letting the passengers walk to you. This will also make it easier to get out of the port area faster.
Taking a taxi? They will be located in the same area. If you are calling a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, we’d suggest meeting them a few blocks away if possible to avoid traffic.
Is the parking lot secured and monitored?
READ THE ”TAXI” ARTICLE. STILL CONFUSED, WILL BE TAKING A TAXI, WILL WE BE DROPPED OFF OUTSIDE THE TERMINAL BUILDING ITSELF? YOUTUBE SEEMS TO SHOW BUSES ,FROM THE CAR PARKING LOT! ALSO, AFTER THE LUGGAGE DROP, DOES ONE WALK TO THE ENTERANCE? HAVE BEEN ON A LOT OF CRUISES AND LEARNED NO TWO TERMINALS HAVE THE SAME ”BOARDING” LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING TO CHARLESTON. NEVER BEEN. SO WOULD BE THANKFUL FOR ALL YOUR HELP!