Getting Around Charleston: The All-Day Water Taxi, Municipal Parking Garages & Pedicabs

The historic lower half of the Charleston peninsula, from Marion Square (Calhoun Street) down to The Battery, measures just 2.8 kilometres long by 1.5 kilometres wide and is completely flat. Because 18th-century streets like Church, Tradd and Legare are narrow and residential blocks restrict non-resident street parking to an hour or two, the smartest move in Charleston is parking your car in a municipal garage and getting around on foot, by Water Taxi and by Pedicab.

1. The Best Bargain on the Harbor: The 'All-Day Charleston Water Taxi Pass'

Instead of booking a sightseeing cruise, use the Charleston Water Taxi, which sells an Unlimited All-Day Hop-On, Hop-Off Pass as well as single-ride tickets (no reservation needed; pay on the boat and check the official website for current fares and schedules). Operating daily from morning until early evening, its open-air catamarans loop every hour between four docks on both sides of the Cooper River (spotting wild dolphins on almost every crossing):

• Stop 1 (Downtown), Charleston Waterfront Park: at the northern end of the Waterfront Park Pier (near the Pineapple Fountain).
• Stop 2 (Downtown), Aquarium Wharf / Maritime Center: beside the South Carolina Aquarium, the Fort Sumter Ferry and the International African American Museum (IAAM).
• Stop 3 (Mount Pleasant), Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum: drops you at the gangway of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown.
• Stop 4 (Mount Pleasant), Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina: a short walk or Uber from Shem Creek.

2. Skip Hotel Valet: Park in a Municipal Garage & Use Pedicabs

1. The Best City Parking Garages: instead of paying hotel valet fees, park in a covered City Garage (check the City of Charleston website for daily rates): 85 Cumberland Street Garage or 93 Queen Street Garage (French Quarter and Market area), East Bay / Prioleau Garage (25 Prioleau St, closest to Rainbow Row), Aquarium Garage (24 Calhoun St), or the Visitor Center Garage (63 Mary St).
2. Charleston Bike Taxi / Pedicabs & CARTA Buses: flag down a licensed Charleston Pedicab after dinner (confirm the fare before hopping in), or ride CARTA buses around the peninsula.