South Carolina’s Top 3 Airports Ranked: Myrtle Beach Is 4th, Greenville Is 96th

South Carolina is home to three airports in the national top 100 for passenger volume, and their airfare rankings span nearly the entire national spectrum—from one of the country's best values to one of its pricier options. Only In Your State analyzed recently released Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, and the state's airport cost landscape is worth understanding before you book.

Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) ranked 4th most affordable nationally in 2025, averaging $285.41 per domestic ticket—$101.59 below the national average of $387. That puts Myrtle Beach in the same elite affordability tier as Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Hawaii's neighbor island airports.

Charleston: A Solid Mid-Range Option

Charleston International Airport (CHS) averaged $358.65 in 2025, ranking 26th most affordable nationally—$28.35 below the national average. For the growing Charleston metro, it's a genuinely good result: below average, competitive with similarly-sized markets, and supported by a leisure-tourism demand that keeps multiple carriers active on Charleston routes.

CHS ranked 59th nationally by passenger volume. The combination of strong leisure travel demand and a mid-size market produces the below-average fares that Charleston travelers benefit from.

Greenville-Spartanburg: The Expensive Exception

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) tells a different story. Average fares from GSP were $460.01 in 2025, ranking 96th nationally—$73.01 above the national average and $174.60 more per ticket than Myrtle Beach. That's one of the larger intrastate airfare gaps in the country.

GSP ranked 87th nationally by passenger volume—a smaller market with limited carrier competition. The high fares reflect the dynamics of a regional airport serving an inland industrial metro without the leisure tourism that drives competitive pricing at coastal South Carolina airports.

For Greenville-Spartanburg-area travelers, Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) is the most accessible major hub alternative, averaging $445.92—still expensive at 90th nationally, but roughly $14 cheaper than GSP per ticket and with a far broader nonstop route network.

Why the Price Discrepancy Exists

The vast price spread across South Carolina highlights how airline business models shape local fare pricing. Myrtle Beach benefits heavily from high-density seasonal flights serviced by ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit and Allegiant, which aggressively drive down average base ticket prices. Conversely, Greenville-Spartanburg relies predominantly on legacy network carriers—Delta, American, and United—serving business travel corridors where ticket prices tend to be higher, and flight schedules prioritize convenience over discount pricing.

Alternative Options for SC Travelers

For Upstate travelers looking to avoid GSP's premium prices without making the drive up I-85 to Charlotte, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) offers a closer-to-home option. While Columbia doesn't match the steep discounts seen along the coast, keeping an eye on alternative departure points across the state can easily save a family hundreds of dollars on a round-trip vacation.

This data reflects 2025 averages from the Department of Transportation, released in May 2026. Knowing how to find cheap flights is especially valuable for Upstate South Carolina travelers facing above-average fares at GSP.

To get the most from your next departure, explore how to find cheap flights and unexpected ways to cut travel costs to help stretch your budget further.

To see how every major airport in the country compares—plus the full methodology behind the data—explore the complete U.S. Airport Cost Rankings for 2026.