Myrtle Beach International Airport

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) sits three miles southwest of downtown Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on a stretch of land between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. It handles over two million passengers annually, most of them leisure travelers heading for the Grand Strand's beaches, golf courses, and entertainment districts. The airport operates a single terminal with two concourses and 12 gates, serving domestic routes from major airlines like Southwest, American, Delta, Allegiant, and Sun Country. Seasonal flights from Canada add to the traffic during winter months.

Getting There

The airport is located at 1100 Jetport Road, easily reached from Highway 17 (the main coastal route) via Harrelson Boulevard. From Myrtle Beach's Ocean Boulevard area, the drive takes about 10 minutes. Taxis and ride-shares (Uber, Lyft) are available at designated pickup zones outside baggage claim. Several hotels offer free shuttles; confirm with your accommodation. If driving, parking options include a free lot for short-term stays (up to three hours) and paid parking garages and lots for longer visits. The daily rate in the paid lots is around $10-16, with a premium lot closer to the terminal costing more. Off-site lots with shuttles are also available and can be cheaper for extended trips. Public transit is limited: the Coast RTA bus route 15 passes near the airport, but it's not a direct stop; a taxi or ride-share is more practical for most travelers.

Inside the Terminal

Myrtle Beach's terminal is compact and easy to navigate. On arrival, you'll walk directly to baggage claim on the lower level. The upper level handles ticketing and security. Check-in counters are arranged along a central hall; during peak summer months and holiday weekends, queues can extend onto the sidewalk. Security screening is managed by TSA, and there is a PreCheck lane. The busiest times are Monday around noon, Tuesday at 10 AM, Wednesday at 10 AM, and Thursday at noon—avoid these if you can. The post-security concourse offers a handful of food and beverage options (a grill, a coffee shop, and a bar) as well as souvenir shops. Wi-Fi is free and reliable. Restrooms are clean and include changing tables and wheelchair-accessible stalls. The airport provides wheelchair assistance upon request—call ahead or speak to your airline. Overall, the terminal is functional but not luxurious; the atmosphere is casual and beach-oriented, with local artwork and photographs of coastal scenes.

Myrtle Beach International Airport and Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is synonymous with the Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of sandy beaches along the South Carolina coast. The city's economy is built almost entirely on tourism, drawing visitors for sun, golf, and family-friendly attractions. The airport is the main gateway for this region, and its seasonal flight schedules reflect the ebb and flow of tourists. In summer, the terminal buzzes with families headed to the beach; in winter, it quiets down except for snowbirds and spring breakers.

Why do people come here? The beach is the obvious answer—wide, flat, and warm from May to October. But Myrtle Beach is also a golf destination with over 80 courses, many designed by famous architects. The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, stretching 1.2 miles along the oceanfront, is packed with amusement rides, arcades, and restaurants. Broadway at the Beach, a massive entertainment complex, features the Hollywood Wax Museum, WonderWorks, and the SkyWheel. For nature lovers, Huntington Beach State Park and Brookgreen Gardens (a combination of sculpture garden and wildlife preserve) are short drives south. The area has a rich history of Gullah Geechee culture and plantation-era architecture, though many visitors come purely for the beach escape.

The airport itself is a barometer of the local economy. When flights are full, hotels are booked. Delays can ripple through the entire tourism ecosystem. Knowing that the airport is small but functional helps set expectations: you won't find a luxury lounge or a food court with dozens of options, but you will find efficient service and a staff accustomed to handling high volumes. The airport also serves as a reliever for Charleston and Wilmington airports, drawing passengers from inland areas.

Practical Information

Myrtle Beach International Airport is open daily, but the terminal opens approximately 4:30 AM and closes after the last flight arrives. Contact the airport at +1 843-448-1589 or visit www.flymyrtlebeach.com for current flight status and parking updates. There is no on-site hotel; the nearest accommodations are along Highway 17. If you're picking someone up, use the free cell phone lot instead of circling the terminal. One concrete piece of advice: during summer, book parking online in advance—the paid lots fill up by mid-morning, and you may end up in an off-site lot anyway, but you'll pay less if you reserve ahead.