Is Charleston Safe for Travel in 2024?

Charleston, United States
Safety Score
73

Charleston is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The city is the county seat of Charleston County. Known for its strong tourism industry, in 2016 Travel + Leisure Magazine ranked Charleston as the best city in the world.

Warnings & Dangers in Charleston

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK : LOW

Charleston is a generally calm place. Traveling here will not cause any special problems. It would help if you used your usual common sense when traveling here.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW

Public transport is safe and well distributed in the city. However, watch out for your pockets when traveling on the bus. Taxis are reliable and safe. Choose only licensed taxi services.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM

Pickpocketing is not that common. But there are places where pickpockets are frequent, for example, on Market Street. This is a place where there are usually always a lot of tourists. You should be very careful here and watch your pockets and personal belongings. Observe your surroundings.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : MEDIUM

The Charleston area faces a genuine risk of fire, flooding, hurricanes, lightning, high winds, and earthquakes. Make sure and avoid the hurricane season during your trip to this city. Since there is a clearly defined hurricane season and it spares no one.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK : LOW

Serious armed attacks and robberies are rare in Charleston. Avoid the city's outskirts and do not walk late at night on poorly lit streets. It is better to keep your valuables in the hotel safe.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK : MEDIUM

The risk of terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out in Charleston. In the past, the city was subjected to terrorist attacks. During your visit, be extremely careful and avoid street demonstrations and political gatherings of people.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK : LOW

In the city, the tricks of scammers rarely occur. Occasionally, SMS and email fraud may occur to trick your money and credit card details. It is also worth withdrawing money only from ATMs at the bank to avoid copying your credit card data.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW

Charleston is safe for women traveling alone. It is recommended to use common sense and move only along well-lit and central city streets.

How Safe Is Charleston for Tourists?

Charleston is generally a reasonably safe city to travel to.

There are rarely serious clashes and protests.

And the main crimes are petty theft and theft of things.

At nightfall, the street meeting between Interstate 26 and the visitor center should be avoided, as vagrants and bandits often frequent the area.

They can cling to tourists and ask for money.

Sometimes, if you ignore them, they can threaten you with physical harm.

Murder, robbery, and rape are widespread.

Fortunately, there is nothing there that could interest a tourist.

Many areas of North Charleston are also quite dangerous, especially in the area of the former naval base.

As elsewhere, Charleston can be attacked and robbed.

Therefore, tourists are not recommended carrying valuables and devices with them.

You can leave them in the hotel safe.

Avoid any relationship with drug dealers.

Drugs are illegal here.

Avoid walking in poorly lit streets late at night, and avoid areas far from the city center.

You must carefully lock your home at night.

In most cases, you will feel completely safe in this city, even in the dark.

The police are doing their job well enough, and you can turn to them for help at any time.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Charleston?

Visitors to the United States must obtain a visa from one of the United States diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or Visa Waiver Program countries. A valid passport is a must.

Which Currency Is Used in Charleston?

The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. It has a sign: $ and a code: USD. Also, it abbreviated US$. One dollar is divided into 100 cents (Symbol: ¢).

How's the Weather like in Charleston?

The best time to visit Charleston is from March to May or from September to November when temperatures are mild – but not stifling.

What Do I Need to Know about Airports in Charleston?

Charleston International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in North Charleston, South Carolina. It is South Carolina’s most significant and busiest airport. The airport is located in North Charleston and is approximately 19 km northwest of downtown Charleston.

Should I Get Travel Insurance for My Travels?

The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country or city. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.

What Are Some Things to Do in Charleston?

Walking tours are popular in Charleston. This is the best way to look at the historic homes, plantations, and magnolia gardens. And if you’re looking to shop for a few tourist souvenirs – perhaps a basket of sweet herbs – look no further than the Charleston City Market. There are even several beaches in the immediate vicinity, including Folly Beach and Palm Island, perfect for swimming in warm weather and walking in cold weather.

Is the Water in Charleston Safe to Drink?

Charleston Water System tap water meets or exceeds all drinking water standards and is safe to drink. Bottled or filtered water is also high quality, but it is much more expensive than tap water.

Is Uber Safe in Charleston?

There is an Uber taxi in Charleston. The fare will depend on trip length and time of the day. You can call a taxi from the app on a smartphone.

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