Visitor Basics for South Carolina

Visitor basics for South Carolina: airports, Amtrak stations, tolls, alcohol and fireworks rules, beach safety and hurricane season, each from the airport, agency or town that sets the rule. Rules change, so each fact links its source.

• Topics11airports to wildlife
• Airports8in and near the state
• CheckedOct 262026
• Sources35agency pages

Checked

2026-10-26

Airports

Rail Bus

Amtrak

• Silver Meteor / Palmetto stations in South Carolina: Dillon (DIL), Florence (FLO), Kingstree (KTR), Charleston (CHS), Yemassee (YEM), Camden (CAM), Columbia (CLB), Denmark (DNK). Route runs New York (Moynihan Train Hall) to Miami, also Tampa. source
• Crescent stations in South Carolina: Spartanburg (SPB), Greenville (GRV), Clemson (CSN). Route runs New York (Moynihan Train Hall) to New Orleans (Union Passenger Terminal). source

Roads

Tolls

• Southern Connector (Interstate 185, main toll plaza 3050 Interstate 185, Piedmont SC). Cash & credit card rates effective January 2, 2024, two-axle: West Plaza $2.25, SC 20 $1.50, Fork Shoals $1.50, East Plaza $2.25. Three-axle $4.80 at West/East, $1.50 at SC 20 and Fork Shoals; four-axle $6.40/$1.50; five-axle $8.00/$1.50; six-axle $9.60/$1.50. source
• Southern Connector PalPass (Palmetto Pass) rates effective January 2, 2024, two-axle: West Plaza $2.15, SC 20 $1.50, Fork Shoals $1.50, East Plaza $2.15; three-axle $4.56 at West/East; four-axle $6.08; five-axle $7.60; six-axle $9.12; $1.50 at SC 20 and Fork Shoals for all classes. (Plaza-to-column mapping was inferred by the fetch tool from table layout; the page has no explicit column labels.) source
• Hilton Head Island's Cross Island Parkway: SCDOT said it would stop collecting tolls at 11:59:59 p.m. on June 30, 2021, because the bonds that funded construction were being fully repaid and state law requires tolls to stop then. source

Hands Free

• Section 56-5-3890 (South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, 2025 Act No. 40, H.3276), effective September 1, 2025: while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway a person shall not hold or support a mobile electronic device with any part of the body (an earpiece or wrist-worn device for voice communication is allowed); read, compose or transmit text, email, application interaction or website information; or watch motion such as video, movies, games or video calls. source
• Exceptions include lawfully parked or stopped, reporting an emergency or hazard to public safety, first responders on duty, and navigation, audio content, traffic information or starting/ending a call without typing when the device is not held or supported by the body. source
• Penalty: first offense $100 fine, no part suspended; second or subsequent offense within three years $200 and two points. Act 40 Section 5: during the first 180 days after the effective date officers could only issue warnings. Officers may stop a driver only on reasonable suspicion from a clear and unobstructed view. source

Move Over

• Section 56-5-1538(G): a driver approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle showing flashing red, red and white, blue, red and blue, amber or yellow lights shall proceed with due caution, significantly reduce speed, and where the highway has at least four lanes with two or more going the same way, change to a lane not adjacent if safe; otherwise keep a safe speed. Fine not less than $300 nor more than $500 (subsection H). 2026 Act No. 147 (eff May 15, 2026) added subsections (we)-(K) applying similar rules to a stopped vehicle showing flashing hazard lights, fine $300-$500. source
• SCDPS page: violators are guilty of a misdemeanor, fine of not less than $300 nor more than $500. source

Seat Belt

• Section 56-5-6520: the driver and every occupant of a motor vehicle on public streets and highways must wear a fastened safety belt; the driver is responsible for occupants 17 or younger being belted or in a child restraint. source
• Section 56-5-6540: fine not more than $25 per violation and not more than $50 for any one incident; an officer may stop a driver for the violation on probable cause from a clear and unobstructed view. source

Traffic Info

• SCDOT: 'View traffic cameras and get up to date traffic information with our 511 site' (www.511sc.org). SCDOT general lines on the page: 855-467-2368 (toll free) and 803-737-1200. source

Alcohol

State Law

• Section 61-6-1500: a retail liquor dealer may not sell alcoholic liquors between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., for consumption on the premises, to anyone under 21, or to an intoxicated person. source
• Section 61-6-4160: it is unlawful to sell alcoholic liquors on Sunday except as authorized by law, or on Christmas Day. source
• Section 61-4-120: it is unlawful to sell or offer wine or beer between 12 o'clock Saturday night and sunrise Monday morning, except that an establishment licensed under Article 5 of Chapter 6 may sell during the hours liquor by the drink is lawful; in-state-grape wine sold at the winery on Sunday needs a local ordinance. source
• Section 61-4-110: open beer or wine in a motor vehicle on public highways is unlawful except in the trunk or luggage compartment; fine not more than $100 or up to 30 days. Section 61-6-4020: liquor with a broken seal may not be transported in a motor vehicle except in a trunk, luggage compartment or cargo area separate from the driver and passengers; same penalty. source

Beach Rules

• 'Alcohol is NOT allowed on the beach.' 'Glass containers and bottles are NOT allowed on the beach.' Violations are misdemeanors, up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail upon conviction. source
• 'NO POSSESSION OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON BEACH.' 'NO GLASS is allowed on the beach.' Ordinances enforced with fines up to $1,092.00. source
• Not allowed on the beach, dunes or adjacent waters: possession or consumption of alcohol, beer or wine; glassware; fires and fireworks. Fines and court costs up to $1,092.50 per offense. source
• 'Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the beach.' Fireworks and open fires strictly prohibited; $100 fine per offense. source

Fireworks

State Law

• Section 40-56-220(D): fireworks may not be sold to anyone under the age of sixteen; (C) retail sale and use of small bottle rockets are not legal in South Carolina (2010 Act No. 196, eff June 1, 2010). source
• Section 23-35-175: it is unlawful to knowingly and willfully discharge fireworks from, in or into a Fireworks Prohibited Zone, which a property owner or managing authority creates by agreement with law enforcement and signs; with local approval a zone can extend to the low-water mark of adjoining oceanic waters. First offense up to $100 or 30 days; later offense up to $200 or 30 days. Prosecution only if the zone is properly posted. source
• Section 23-35-130(A): fireworks above two grains of pyrotechnic composition designed for a loud piercing effect (cherry bombs, M-80s) may not be manufactured, stored, transported or possessed. source

Beach by Town

• 'NO OPEN FIRES or FIREWORKS are allowed at any time.' source
• Fires and fireworks are not allowed on the beach, dunes or adjacent waters. source
• 'Fireworks and open fires are strictly prohibited' on the beach. source

Beaches General

• Section 48-39-250(8) (Beachfront Management Act findings): 'It is in the state's best interest to protect and to promote increased public access to South Carolina's beaches for out-of-state tourists and South Carolina residents alike.' source
• NWS Wilmington rip current page: rip currents are strong, channelized currents flowing back to the ocean from shore and pull swimmers away from shore, not under. If caught: stay calm, do not fight the current, swim across it parallel to the shoreline, angle back to the beach once clear; if you cannot escape, float or tread water; if you may not reach shore, face the shore, wave your arms and yell for help. source
• NWS beach safety: talk to the lifeguard or beach patrol before entering the water; swim with a partner; if no lifeguard is present, call 911. source
• City of Myrtle Beach: double red flag means the water is closed to the public and no swimming is allowed; single red flag indicates hazardous conditions such as strong waves or currents. Lifeguard services operate under a franchise agreement with the city; Police, Fire and EMS also patrol. source

Time Zone

• SC Dept of Archives and History quick facts: South Carolina uses Eastern Time. source
• Section 1-1-30: if Congress authorizes year-round daylight saving time for states, the General Assembly intends it to become the statewide year-round standard (2020 Act No. 113). source

Visitor Taxes

• SCDOR: the statewide Sales & Use Tax rate is 6%; counties may impose an additional 1% local sales tax if voters approve. source
• SCDOR accommodations page lists '5% Sales Tax' and '2% Accommodations Tax'; local governments can charge up to an additional 3% in Accommodations Tax; many counties and municipalities impose their own, not administered by SCDOR. source

Emergencies

• The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. source
• SCEMD Know Your Zone: an interactive map of hurricane evacuation zones and storm surge vulnerability on the coast; 'State and local authorities will announce evacuations by these predesignated zones.' Find your zone by entering an address, using your location, or the free SC Emergency Manager app. Coastal counties linked: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Horry, Georgetown, Jasper. source
• Call 911 for emergencies at the beach when no lifeguard is present (NWS). source
• SCDOT 511 traffic information site: www.511sc.org. source

Wildlife

• SCDNR alligator safety tips: never feed alligators; if you see someone feeding alligators call SCDNR at 1-800-922-5431; avoid swimming or playing in areas known to harbor alligators; keep pets out of the water if alligators are present; do not approach an alligator, keep your distance; never attempt to capture or move an alligator yourself. source
• Section 50-11-750 per SCDNR: it is unlawful to feed or entice with food any American alligator (with listed exceptions); misdemeanor. source

What We Could Not Confirm

Sources

1. Charleston Intl Airport
2. GSP airlines
3. Columbia Metropolitan Airport airlines
4. Myrtle Beach International Airport
5. Florence Regional Airport
6. Hilton Head Island Airport
7. Savannah/Hilton Head Intl
8. CLT airlines
9. Amtrak Silver Meteor / Palmetto
10. Amtrak Crescent
11. Southern Connector cash rates
12. Southern Connector PalPass rates
13. SCDOT press: Cross Island Parkway tolls end
14. SC Code Title 56 Ch 5
15. SCDPS Move Over Law
16. SCDOT travel and road conditions
17. SC Code Title 61 Ch 4
18. SC Code Title 61 Ch 6
19. SC Code Title 40 Ch 56
20. SC Code Title 23 Ch 35
21. SC Code Title 48 Ch 39
22. SC Code Title 1 Ch 1
23. Myrtle Beach beach conditions
24. Folly Beach rules
25. Hilton Head beach regulations
26. Isle of Palms beach rules
27. NWS Wilmington rip currents
28. NWS beach safety actions
29. NHC climatology
30. SCDOR sales tax
31. SCDOR accommodations tax
32. SCEMD Know Your Zone
33. SCDNR alligator safety
34. SCDNR alligator regs
35. SC Dept of Archives and History

Read on October 26, 2026. How we check: editorial standards; spot a mistake? Tell us.