Renting a Car in South Carolina Without the Gotchas

Your plane lands, your bag shows up, and now you just want keys that work. That means knowing which counter is still open, which fees are baked into the bill, and whether you really need a toll pass for a quick hop up I-85. This is the nuts-and-bolts guide I give customers who ask about renting for Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, with hours, fees, and on-the-ground details that keep you out of lines and away from surprise charges.

What fees will you actually pay in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, or Myrtle Beach?

South Carolina adds a statewide 6% sales tax on rental car charges. Many counties and cities also tack on local sales taxes that vary by jurisdiction, so your total tax can be higher in some places than others. That’s normal here and it’s calculated at the counter automatically. On top of tax, state law lets rental companies show a separate line called a vehicle license fee to recover their costs for licensing, registering, and property taxes on their fleets. You’ll see it printed on the agreement the same way you see the base rate and taxes.

At Charleston International (CHS), there is a published Customer Facility Charge of $10.00 per rental day to fund the rental car facility. If you pick up at CHS, expect that line every day of your contract. Charleston County also imposes a countywide 5% rental car user fee on passenger vehicle rentals that occur within the county. That county fee shows up whether you rent on-airport at CHS or at a Charleston neighborhood branch, since both are inside the county.

Airport fees are local and they change airport by airport. Columbia Metropolitan (CAE) and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) collect their own concession or facility fees through the rental brands, which is why off-airport neighborhood branches sometimes price out a little leaner. Myrtle Beach (MYR) operates a walk-up rental facility across from baggage claim exits; peer-to-peer rentals like Turo are not allowed to conduct handoffs on MYR airport property under the current airport policy, so don’t plan an airport curbside Turo pickup there.

One more “South Carolina-ism” to know: the only toll road in the state is the Southern Connector on I‑185 near Greenville. You can pay tolls with cash or card at staffed booths or with the local Palmetto Pass transponder. South Carolina does not run on E‑ZPass, so a Northeastern transponder doesn’t help here. If you stick to I‑26, I‑20, I‑77, I‑85, and US‑17, you won’t see tolls at all.

Airport pickup or neighborhood branch: which works better for your trip?

On-airport is faster when timing is tight, but off-airport can avoid some airport-only fees and may offer free local pickup. Use the real examples below to match your schedule and where you’re staying.

Two patterns to watch in Charleston: on-airport counters at CHS are clustered just beyond baggage claim and the ready/return lot is covered on the garage’s ground level, which makes returns easy if you’re beating a thunderstorm. Downtown, the Meeting Street locations close earlier but they’ll often pick you up from a nearby hotel if you book it during business hours. If you’re landing after 6 p.m. on a Saturday, the airport desk is your safer bet.

How do hours, returns, and paperwork really work here?

Hours vary by brand and location, so book against the posted hours you see for the exact counter you’re using. Charleston’s on-airport Enterprise lists 7:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m. daily service with after-hours returns at the garage. At Greenville-Spartanburg, Hertz posts 5:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m. hours seven days a week, which covers the early bank of Upstate departures. In Columbia, the on-airport Avis desk runs to 11:00 p.m. most nights, with earlier close on Saturdays. Off-airport locations typically mirror “shop hours” and close earlier on weekends; Budget Downtown Charleston shows Sunday 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

After-hours returns are common at the airports. If your branch offers it, you’ll park in a marked return lane and drop keys per the posted instructions. That clocks the return to the time the car is scanned, not when your flight boards, so leave five to ten minutes for the walk back to the terminal. Neighborhood branches sometimes don’t accept after-hours returns because their lots aren’t staffed overnight; confirm before you plan a Sunday night drop at a downtown counter.

Paperwork is straightforward. You need a valid driver’s license and a major credit card in the renter’s name. Visitors can drive with a valid out‑of‑state or foreign license; if your license isn’t in English, carry an International Driving Permit as a translation. If you intend to add a spouse or coworker as an additional driver, bring them to the counter with their license. Under‑25 renters are accepted by most national brands in South Carolina with vehicle class limits and a daily young‑renter fee; the exact fee and eligible car classes vary by brand and location.

Driving logistics that trip up renters in South Carolina

Child seats aren’t optional here. Under state law, kids under 8 must be in an appropriate restraint in the rear seat, with infants and toddlers in rear‑facing or forward‑facing seats based on the seat’s height and weight limits, and older kids in belt‑positioning boosters until they fit an adult belt. Rental counters can supply child seats if you reserve one, but the quantity on hand can be limited on holiday weekends. If your arrival is late at CHS or GSP and you need a seat the same night, reserve it with the car so it’s already staged on your contract.

Tolls are easy. The Southern Connector (I‑185) near Greenville is the only tolled stretch in the state. Your rental does not need a special transponder; cash and card are accepted in staffed lanes and Palmetto Pass works if your company equips cars with it. There’s no E‑ZPass compatibility in South Carolina. If you’re road‑tripping into Georgia or North Carolina afterward, review your rental brand’s toll program so you don’t get hit with a per‑day toll device fee for a state you’re not even visiting.

Returning at the right place matters. At CHS, rental car return is in the ground level of the terminal garage with covered walkways back to the terminal. At CAE, counters sit on the lower level of baggage claim and the car lots are just outside in the garage’s lower level. GSP has eight on‑airport agencies; follow the return signage on GSP Drive and look for your brand’s marked lanes. In Myrtle Beach, the rental building sits across from the main terminal near the baggage claim exits, and the facility hours track daily flight activity. Peer‑to‑peer rentals like Turo can’t stage or hand off cars on MYR property under the airport’s posted rules, so coordinate an off‑airport meetup if you’re using that model at the beach.

“What will it cost?” and other practical comparisons South Carolina renters ask

On-airport pickup is about speed and predictability; off-airport is about trimming certain fees and getting picked up. At CHS, the unavoidable $10/day Customer Facility Charge and the county’s 5% rental user fee both apply inside Charleston County. It’s one reason locals picking up for a weekend in town use the Meeting Street counters during their posted hours, while flyers landing after dinner stick with the on-airport pavilion to avoid missing a pickup window. In Columbia, the counters running until 11:00 p.m. most nights shave a rideshare leg if you’re landing on the last bank. In the Upstate, GSP’s 5:00 a.m. opening covers first flights when many neighborhood branches are still closed.

If you’re choosing strictly on total price, there are two steady levers you control. First, where you pick up and drop off: pairing an on‑airport pickup with an off‑airport return inside the same county usually keeps county and most concession fees in play for every day of the rental. Keeping both ends off-airport during business hours avoids the airport‑only facility charge where one exists. Second, your pickup time: all the major brands in South Carolina bill in 24‑hour cycles, so a 10:00 a.m. pickup on Friday means a 10:00 a.m. return on Sunday to avoid an extra day. Shift your pickup to your real arrival time to match the clock to your flights.

“Will a peer‑to‑peer host meet me at the airport?” It depends which airport. At CHS and GSP, peer‑to‑peer car sharing operates under airport terms and a permit system, so hosts follow designated delivery and parking rules that keep them out of no‑standing zones. At MYR, the airport says no to on‑site handoffs, so hosts meet at hotel lots or off‑airport addresses. If you’re flying into Myrtle Beach and must use peer‑to‑peer, budget time for a short shuttle or rideshare to the meeting point.

Key things to know before you book

• Charleston County adds a 5% rental car user fee on passenger vehicle rentals inside the county, on top of the statewide 6% sales tax and any brand‑specific vehicle license fee line. CHS adds a $10/day airport facility charge to on‑airport rentals.
• Typical on‑airport hours right now: CHS Enterprise 7:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m., GSP Hertz 5:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m., CAE Avis until 11:00 p.m. most nights. Downtown Charleston’s Budget counter posts Sun 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
• Myrtle Beach International’s rental facility is across from baggage claim. Peer‑to‑peer car‑share cannot hand off vehicles on MYR property under current airport rules.
• South Carolina has just one toll road, the Southern Connector (I‑185) near Greenville. Pay with cash/card at toll booths or the local Palmetto Pass; E‑ZPass does not work in South Carolina.
• Child seats are required by law for kids under 8, with specific seat types by age, height, and weight. Reserve a seat with your car if you need one late at night.
• Visitors can drive on a valid out‑of‑state or foreign license; bring an International Driving Permit if your license isn’t in English. Under‑25 renters are accepted by most brands with limits and a daily fee.

Reader Q&A

Is it cheaper to rent off-airport in Charleston?

Often, yes, because off‑airport branches avoid CHS’s $10/day Customer Facility Charge. Keep in mind Charleston County’s 5% rental user fee still applies anywhere inside the county, including downtown locations. Balance savings against posted hours, since downtown counters like Budget at 390 Meeting Street close early on weekends.

Do I need a toll pass for Greenville or Spartanburg?

No. The only tolled stretch in South Carolina is the Southern Connector (I‑185) near Greenville, and you can pay by cash or card in staffed lanes. If your rental includes a Palmetto Pass transponder, that works too, but E‑ZPass isn’t supported in this state.

Can a Turo host meet me at Myrtle Beach International?

No. MYR does not allow peer‑to‑peer rental handoffs on airport property. If you’re using a peer‑to‑peer car at the beach, the host will meet you off‑airport, and you’ll need to plan a short shuttle or rideshare from baggage claim to the meeting spot.

What if my flight gets in late — will someone be there?

At the larger airports, yes during posted hours. Enterprise at CHS lists 7:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m. daily with after‑hours returns available, Hertz at GSP lists 5:00 a.m.–11:59 p.m., and Avis at CAE runs to 11:00 p.m. most nights. Neighborhood branches close earlier, so if you land after dinner, book on‑airport or plan to pick up the next morning.

To narrow your choice, start with your arrival time and whether you want a staffed counter minutes after you grab your bag. If your flight times line up with neighborhood branch hours, an off‑airport pickup can trim airport‑only fees, but if you’re arriving late or leaving early, book on‑airport and keep your clock inside a clean 24‑hour window.

Published: September 10, 2026 · Reviewed by the South Carolina editorial team