Three days in Charleston: An epic budget travel itinerary
What was once a local town has grown into a global tourist destination in what feels like overnight. Charleston is not the once cheap-ish coastal town it once was and tourists have brought expensive hotels and restaurants to the once very local city. Recently, I spent a weekend enjoying the beautiful port town and found a way to still do it on a budget. Here is a three-day Charleston budget travel itinerary:
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Day 1: Hotel, fountains, and oysters
Arrive in Charleston and make your way to one of the many hotel options in or near the old town. If you are arriving by plane, an Uber or Lyft will cost you around $25. Parking and car rentals are fairly expensive. Only rent a car if you will be enjoying more of the surrounding communities or else it will likely be cheaper to take a ride share as needed.
Hotels in Charleston are not cheap. But you can save money by staying about a mile from the old town and walking. We opted to stay at the Hyatt House using 45,000 Hyatt points. But there are many affordable Airbnbs or if you’re on a really tight budget opt for the Not So Hostel with a bed starting at $36 and a bedroom for $70.
Budget Travel Tip: If you plan on booking a boutique hotel, use a travel portal on your travel credit card for 5x or 10x on your purchase. Those points can become huge savings on your next hotel stay or flight booking!
Exploring Charleston on a Budget
After getting settled in your hotel room, it’s time to start exploring Charleston. There is so much beauty in the architecture and scenery, so be sure to take it in. Start by familiarizing yourself with the old town streets and take a seat at the Waterfront Park to enjoy live music from locals and the famous Pineapple Fountain. Be sure to walk through the Charleton City Market, for a look at some of the products but be warned: it’s highly touristy, and not many local products nowadays.
For dinner, be sure to try one of the many oyster bars around the city. We opted for The Darling Oyster Bar, which was a couple of blocks from our hotel and a mid-tier price for the oysters. (If you eat here, be sure to get the crab dip.) Most oyster bars in Charleston will require a reservation to get a table. Book a couple of days in advance to ensure you’ll get your spot for the evening.
If you’re up for it consider taking the 8:30 or 10:30p pay-what-it’s-worth Ghost Tour after dinner. Charleston ghost tours are extremely popular and take you through some of the tragedies that unfolded in the community.
Day 2: Local market, walking tour, and historic sites
Be sure to start your Saturday at the local Charleston Farmer’s Market. The park fills with local vendors selling handmade items, fresh fruits, veggies and shrimp, and some hot breakfast items, too. The market is open from 8a-2p April 9th – November 26th and features live music. Come and check out the booths and grab a crepe or biscuit for a quick breakfast.
After having a quick bite, it’s time to take a free walking tour and learn more about the history of Charleston. The Historic Charleston Walking Tour is offered daily at 9:30a. It’s well worth the time.
After finishing your free walking tour, head to the Brown Dog Deli for a cheap, but tasty, lunch. The deli has a long list of sandwiches to choose from all of which are between $9 and $12 and absolutely huge portions. You could likely split one!
After lunch, be sure to check out the Slave Mart Museum. It’s only $8, but if you go on the walking tour you’ll receive a password for half price! The museum is small but impactful and should only take you around 30 minutes to complete.
You still have plenty of afternoon left, so get out of the city and head out on the Charleston Water Taxi. The water taxi is $14 per person and is almost guaranteed to give you a free dolphin cruise. Since the water taxi can’t land at the Waterfront Park at low tide, it’s best to get on at Charleston Maritime Center. From there, you can take a ride down to Sullivan’s Island for an afternoon drink at Sullivan’s Fishcamp.
Important: Be sure to leave to return by 7:00p, when the last water taxi departs.
If you don’t want to go on the water taxi, you could instead make a reservation at High Wire Distillery and take a tour for just $10 of their facilities.
Finish your evening with dinner at one of the most authentic Catalan Spain experiences in the States, Estadio.
Day 3: Local coffee, plantation, and heading home
Before heading out of town be sure to check out one of the many local coffee shops around Charleston. If you stay in Upper King, try Babas on Cannon, a highly popular coffee shop with locals.
After getting your coffee, take a car to the McLeod Plantation Historic Site. Unlike many of the other options, McLeod only discusses slavery through the eyes of the enslaved on the grounds and a guided tour is free with your entry. Plus, the plantation is half the price of the others that have, frankly, beautified the grounds and with it the issues of slavery.
Get back into town just in time for one last meal before heading home. There are many brunch spots in town but try Basic Kitchen, known for their farm-to-table meals.
Explore on. -K
