Alternate airports for Myrtle Beach area?

[Claire&TheBoys]

We just found out we have a wedding to go to this summer in Myrtle Beach. We've never been there before. I did a quick search and the flights I was getting were pretty spendy. What other airports are in the area might be more reasonable?

We'll likely fly Delta, if that matters.

Thanks!

 

[Pixieflip]

My parents just got back from Myrtle Beach. They always fly into Raleigh. Depending on when their flight is, they might spend the night by the airport, pick up their car in the morning and drive to Myrtle to check in. Or vice versa on the departure.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Wilmington, NC (ILM) is about an hour to an hour and half from MB, depending where you need to go in MB and how fast you drive. It's not necessarily cheaper, though, but Delta does fly here. Raleigh (RDU) would almost certainly be cheaper, but it's another two hours from us. If you are going to drive that far, you might also check Columbia, SC (CAE) or Charleston, SC (can't remember that airport code offhand).

If you search on a travel site like Expedia or Bing, you can select nearby airports and highlight the ones that you are willing to travel to.

 

[mrsklamc]

I don't know when it starts but Southwest just announced that they will be adding service to Charleston.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks for the suggestions! I need to hope for a good fare sale!

Thanks for the info on SW, too! They are starting to fly to an airport near me in a couple of weeks.

 

[SadieG]

Your best bet will be to fly in to Myrtle Beach. It's quite a drive from Raleigh. It's not as far from Wilmington or Charleston but there is alot of traffic.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Columbia SC is 163 miles/3 hours drive

Charlotte, NC is 182 miles/4 hour drive

 

[Halle]

We flew into Raleigh two times and I think it took us about 6 hours to drive to MB. DH flies into MB every year to golf with HS Buds....last two years he paid about $550.00. It is totally ridiculous from upstate NY to fly anywhere but MB has to be the costliest.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We flew into Raleigh two times and I think it took us about 6 hours to drive to MB.

Wow! That wouldn't be typical, but it could certainly happen with road construction and/or accidents. Raleigh to Myrtle Beach is typically about 3 1/2 hours, but Raleigh traffic can be brutal if you arrive at RDU anywhere near rush hour. Arriving late afternoon on a weekday can significantly lengthen the trip.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Columbia SC is 163 miles/3 hours drive

Charlotte, NC is 182 miles/4 hour drive

And the best way to drive to Myrtle Beach from the Charlotte airport is to drive through Columbia, so it is worth going into Columbia if it is about the same price. I would have thought the mileage from Charlotte was a bit more, though.

 

[dis-happy]

And the best way to drive to Myrtle Beach from the Charlotte airport is to drive through Columbia, so it is worth going into Columbia if it is about the same price. I would have thought the mileage from Charlotte was a bit more, though.

Living in Charlotte I'll say that everyone takes hwy. 74 to Myrtle.

 

[btallennc3]

Just wanted to say HI fellow Wilmington NC disney lover

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Living in Charlotte I'll say that everyone takes hwy. 74 to Myrtle.

I stand corrected. I would go I-77 to Columbia then pick up I-20 if I were coming from the airport, but I don't like driving 74 even from Wilmington to Charlotte. I'd take 74 from east of Charlotte though (and I guess from Huntersville/Statesville), to not have to backtrack into Charlotte.

Of course, there is a very good reason why DH usually does the driving and navigating - I'm not known for my great sense of direction.

Just wanted to say HI fellow Wilmington NC disney lover

Yay Wilmington!

 

[DawnM]

Are you planning to rent a car in Myrtle?

My girlfriends and I go to Myrtle every year. Several of them fly to Charlotte and drive down with me to save money, but if you have to rent a car that may not help.

Dawn

 

[Straitlover]

Have you checked Spirit Airlines? They usually have some pretty good deal to/from Myrtle Beach.

 

[MandM-Mom]

Not sure if Allegiant Air flys from where you are but they do go into myrtle beach area I believe and sometimes for 19.99 a flight! Good Luck

 

[tiff211]

I am flying spirit airlines to go this weekend leaving tomorrow. Two tickets cost me 115 total for both. Going thursday morning, coming back Saturday night. If we stayed until Sunday it would have been about 200 for both. still an awesome deal even though starting in August Spirit will start charging for carryon bags

 

[ohanaMAMA]

For Myrtle beach you have very few choices (we live 60 miles from there)
Try Raliegh NC, or Charlotte NC. Its a long drive. depending where you fly from try spiritair.com. Sometimes its cheaper to drive to an airport they fly from and land in MYB than the other way round.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks for all the information! I really appreciate it!

We will have to rent a car, but if we have our kids with us, I will want to avoid an additional 3-hour car trip once we land. It's a 5-hr + drive to get to an airport that also flies Spirit, and nothing with Allegiant less than 6-8 hours. Guess I'll hope for a big Delta fare sale! I'll keep watching the Budget Board for news of that!

 

[DisneyLover83]

Dh and I flew into Wilmington, NC from Memphis, TN back in 2005 to visit Myrtle Beach. The drive from Wilmington to Myrtle was about an hour and traffic was a breeze (late May). On the way out of town we visted a battleship in Wilmington, NC. The airport is very small, like 4 gates, but it has the cutest rocking chairs out front ans the car rental counter is right by the baggage claim and the cars are literally right out front!! You do not have to take a shuttle!