Charleston, United States

• Charleston sits on a peninsula between the Ashley and Cooper rivers, and the historic district is small enough to cover on foot. Cobblestone lanes, pastel row houses, antebellum mansions and church steeples are packed into a few square miles, so most first-time sightseeing doesn't need a car.
• Food is the main reason people come: shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, oysters, and a restaurant scene that is busy enough to need reservations. Eating alone is normal, and many places have bar seating. Strangers tend to start conversations in bars, shops and on tours. It is usually just friendly, and a polite 'no thank you' ends it.
• Crime in the tourist core is mostly petty: bags taken from restaurant chairs, items stolen from parked cars, and occasional phone snatching on busy Market Street and King Street. The bar blocks on Upper King get rowdy late at night. The streets north of the main visitor areas and around the I-26 corridor are quieter and darker.
• Summers are hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms, and some low streets near the harbor flood at high tide in heavy rain. Most people sightsee in the morning and evening in summer. Check the tide and weather before parking a car on the peninsula.

English is spoken everywhere, with a Southern accent that can take a day to tune into. Dial 911 for police, fire or ambulance and ask for an interpreter if needed, since the call center can connect translators. For non-urgent police matters in the city, use the Charleston County dispatch non-emergency line.

• Small talk is common. People say hello on the street and chat at bars, in shops and on tours. It is almost always just friendly, and a firm, polite brush-off works if you want to be left alone.
• Tipping is expected: 18-20% in restaurants and bars, and a few dollars for tour guides, bellhops and rideshare drivers. Menu prices do not include tax or tip.
• Dress is casual-smart. Sundresses and sandals are standard in warm months, and a light layer helps in over-air-conditioned restaurants. Some churches ask visitors to cover their shoulders.
• Charleston's history includes slavery and the Civil War, and many tours and museums cover it directly. Historic sites and cemeteries should be treated respectfully, which means no leaning on gravestones or taking rubbings.
• Open containers are restricted in some areas, and bars close at 2 AM. Tap water is safe to drink. In summer, mosquitoes and heat are a bigger daily nuisance than crime.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Walking is the best way to get around the historic peninsula. Distances are short, sidewalks are mostly fine, and the free DASH shuttle buses run several routes downtown. Cobblestones and uneven brick sidewalks are hard on heels and wheeled luggage.
• Uber and Lyft work well on the peninsula and make the most sense after dark or in summer heat. Check the plate and driver name before getting in, and wait inside until the car arrives.
• Regional buses (CARTA) go to Mount Pleasant, West Ashley and the airport, but they run infrequently and waits are long in the evening. A car is only really needed for the beaches and plantations. Downtown parking is limited and expensive, and bags should never be left visible in a parked car.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Charleston with local guides and curated experiences.