Rent cars in Charleston, SC
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Top rated rental cars in Charleston, SC
Small city, big charm
Charleston has quickly become one of travelers’ favorite cities. This southern seaside escape boasts happening restaurants and bars, a gorgeous brick-walled downtown, and dreamy Atlantic coast beaches.
Take a walking tour through town and pick up a souvenir at Charleston City Market, then stroll the Battery and Waterfront Park for southern style architecture. Make sure to visit historic mansions like The Nathaniel Russell House in the Charleston Historic District and Magnolia Plantation & Gardens for the perfect warm afternoon stroll.
Charleston favorites
Get your fill of southern charm and American history while eating your way through Charleston, then hit the beach for some downtime.
Fort Sumter National Monument
For first-time visitors and history buffs, the walls, cannons, and museum of Fort Sumter are a must-see. The site of the beginning of the American Civil War is perched on an island in Charleston Harbor, which you can access via a ferry ride.
Middleton Place
This mansion is the former home of Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Visit to gawk at the collection of historic furniture and art and take a tour through the impressive 65-acre gardens.
Isle of Palms County Park
Just east of the city, Isle of Palms boasts seven miles of gorgeous clean coastline for relaxing, swimming, or windsurfing. Isle of Palms’ expansive white sands are slightly more popular with families than other Charleston beaches like Folly Beach.
Top hosts in Charleston, SC
Harold C.
Harold C.’s vehicles
Julio S.
Julio S.’s vehicles
Rent cars in Charleston, SC
Hit the road
Strolling the colorful, cobbled streets of the Charleston city center is an excellent option if you’re only in town for a few days. But rush hour traffic can get busy in the popular summer months, so grab a car, fill up the tank, and head out for a day trip or road trip to the lush Carolina countryside for more hidden gems.
Rent the perfect carKiawah Island
Less than an hour’s drive south through moss-covered oak tree tunnels, this barrier island feels worlds away and is the perfect overnight resort escape for your choice of fine dining, pampering, kayaking, and world-class golfing.
Savannah, GA
A couple hours in the car will bring you just across the Georgia state line to Charleston’s sister city, Savannah. Relax at your own pace and make sure to hang out at some of Savannah’s abundant verdant spaces like Forsyth Park and Skidaway Island.
Myrtle Beach
If you still need more beach time, head about two hours north up Route 17 to reach Myrtle Beach, the famous resort town boasting the endless white beaches of the Grand Strand with warm waves for surfing and swimming.
Recent reviews
The car was great for Charleston as street parking can be tricky, nice to have a smaller vehicle!
Also, our car host went above and beyond to help us out at the end of our trip.
Car rental locations near Charleston, SC
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Best Charleston driving roads
Savannah River National Scenic Byway
Sleepy towns, rural farmlands, and historic churches dot this winding 100-mile route along the Savannah River in the south part of the state. Stop off for fishing, swimming, or hiking wherever you please!
Edisto Island National Scenic Byway
Drive through towering tree tunnels, salt marshes, and moss-covered forests on your way out to the Atlantic Ocean. Make sure to stop at the old plantations along the way like Brooklands Plantation and Windsor Plantation.
Falling Waters Scenic Byway
South Carolina’s Loneliest Road is only 13 miles long, but drivers will be treated to the Sumter National Forest’s scenic overlooks, hidden hiking trails, and waterfalls in the northern part of South Carolina.
Frequently asked questions in Charleston
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
What do I need to book a car on Turo?
To book a car on Turo, you must create a Turo account, be 18 years old or older with a valid driver’s license, and get approved to drive on Turo. When you’re booking your first trip, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s license and some other information. In most cases, you’ll get approved immediately, and you’ll be set for future road trips, business trips, and family vacations!
Do I need my own insurance?
Do I need my own insurance?
No, you don’t need personal insurance coverage to book a car on Turo. If you do have your own insurance policy, the liability insurance issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company included in the protection plan you select will supplement your existing coverage.*
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
What protection plan options are available on Turo?
When booking a car on Turo, you’ll choose between three protection plans — Premier, Standard, or Minimum — to get the level of coverage that’s right for you or decline coverage in some cases. With each plan, you’re covered with liability insurance provided under a policy from Travelers — up to $750,000 for the Premier plan.*
How do I get discounts on cars in Charleston?
How do I get discounts on cars in Charleston?
On your Account page, make sure you’ve checked the box to receive email notifications, and enable push notifications from the Turo app in your phone settings — we’ll send you occasional promotions, discounts, and deals on car rental alternatives in Charleston!
Additionally, frequent travelers on Turo can get rewarded with the loyalty bonus — earn a promo code for one bonus day when you take trips totaling 10 days in a 90-day period!**
**Learn how the loyalty bonus worksAre there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Are there discounts on weekly or monthly trips?
Yes, many Turo hosts offer discounted prices when you book trips lasting 3+, 7+, or 30+ days. Additionally, hosts can offer “early bird” discounts for Charleston trips booked a week or more in advance. So, get the best deals and lowest rates possible by booking longer trips, at least a week in advance.
What types of cars can I book in Charleston?
What types of cars can I book in Charleston?
Browse the widest selection of vehicles for every occasion and budget on Turo. Find an SUV for a family road trip, a truck for some errands, or an exotic sports car for a special night out in Charleston. For the lowest prices, use the “budget-friendly” filter to browse economy vehicles.
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Charleston?
How can I drive unlimited miles during my trip to Charleston?
Some hosts offer unlimited distance for a trip; others set a daily distance limit. On the vehicle pages, you’ll see the total miles or kilometres you’re allowed to drive under the heading “Distance included.” You can find cars offering unlimited mileage with every trip by using the “Unlimited distance” filter.
What payment methods does Turo accept?
What payment methods does Turo accept?
Turo accepts most credit cards issued by major financial institutions, including American Express and Discover cards, as well as debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo that are linked to a checking account.
Apple Pay and Google Pay on mobile devices are also accepted, but Turo does not accept cash or checks as valid payment methods.
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
What is the cancellation policy for guests on Turo?
You can cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours before your trip starts. If you book a trip with less than 24 hours’ notice, you have one hour after booking to cancel free of charge. If you cancel after the free cancellation period ends, you will be charged a small cancellation fee.
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
What are the cleaning and safety policies on Turo?
Under the enhanced cleaning policy, hosts are required to clean and disinfect their vehicles thoroughly before every trip, so you can feel safe and comfortable behind the wheel. Turo hosts have access to training materials on enhanced cleaning practices, using the latest recommendations compiled from the CDC, EPA, WHO, and vehicle detailing experts, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Is Turo a rental car company?
Is Turo a rental car company?
No. Unlike rental car companies, Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, Canada, and the UK. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts share their own personal cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.
Are there cars available near the Charleston airport?
Are there cars available near the Charleston airport?
Yes, there are hundreds of cars available on Turo at locations near the Charleston Intl airport. After arriving at Charleston International Airport (CHS), have your car rental alternative delivered for pick-up and dropoff at your Charleston hotel or the address of your vacation rental to save time and hassle.
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Charleston?
What types of sports cars, luxury cars, or exotics can I book in Charleston?
You can find nearly endless options for sports cars, luxury cars, and high-performance exotics in Charleston on Turo. Filter your search by category, vehicle type, or vehicle make to refine your results, or try the “Deluxe Class” and “Super Deluxe Class” filters to browse high-end luxury car rental alternatives in Charleston.
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
Is there a fee to add additional drivers to my trip?
There is no fee or additional charge for adding a driver to your trip on Turo. Only the guest who booked the trip can request to add drivers; Turo hosts cannot do it for you. We encourage you to request to add additional drivers before your trip starts, though guests in the US and Canada can request to add a driver while a trip is in progress.
To speed up the process, have your additional driver create a Turo account and get approved to drive before you request to add them. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and meet the age requirements for the car you’ve booked. You can request to add drivers via the “Trips” tab in the Turo app without additional driver charges or extra costs.
* Any personal insurance you may have that covers damage to the host’s vehicle would kick in before your protection plan, except in limited situations for trips booked in Maryland, but this protects your own wallet. Liability insurance is provided under a policy issued to Turo by Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. The policy does not provide coverage for damage to a host’s vehicle.
For questions or information about the third party liability insurance that is included in protection plans, consumers in Maryland and the licensed states listed here may contact Turo Insurance Agency at (415) 508-0283 or claims@turo.agency. For questions about how damage to a host’s vehicle is handled, visit the Turo Support site.
When a trip is booked in the state of Washington, physical damage to the host’s vehicle is covered by insurance purchased by Turo, but Turo’s insurance does not change the contractual responsibilities of hosts or guests with respect to physical damage to a host’s vehicle.