Group Pickup & Drop-Off at Florence Regional (FLO), Myrtle Beach (MYR), Columbia Metropolitan (CAE) & Charlotte Douglas (CLT)
Flying in or out of the Pee Dee region with a crowd can get complicated fast! Whether your group is catching a regional connector out of Florence Regional Airport (FLO) on East Palmetto Street or shuttling along I-95, I-20, or US-501 to catch a direct mainline flight at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), or Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), coordinating dozens of passengers and heavy checked bags takes a solid plan. That’s where Florence
You’ll love that Florence
Key Takeaways
- At Florence Regional Airport (FLO), charter buses load and unload curbside along the single-level terminal loop at 2100 E. Palmetto St (US-76), just three miles east of Downtown Florence.
- Because many large groups fly into nearby major hubs and ride into Florence by motorcoach, you can book direct one-way or round-trip airport transfers from Myrtle Beach (MYR), Columbia (CAE), or Charlotte (CLT).
- At Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), commercial buses use the dedicated bus lane at the Ground Transportation plaza outside Baggage Claim off Jetport Road.
- At Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), charter buses drop departing groups on the Upper Departures curb and pick arriving groups up on the Lower Baggage Claim commercial curb off John N. Hardee Expressway.
- At Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), charter buses unload departures on the Upper Level curb and pick arriving groups up on the Outer Curb of the Lower Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level at Zone A or Zone E.
- Unattended vehicles and extended curbside idling are strictly prohibited by TSA security rules at all four airports—always gather your whole group and all checked bags before signaling your driver to pull up!
Tips for Florence Airport Travel with Groups
Keep these local pointers in mind when moving a crowd between Florence and airports across the Carolinas:
Before travel day, check each airport’s official website for real-time terminal updates and ground transportation maps:
- Gather all bags before calling your bus to the curb: Airport security officers at FLO, MYR, CAE, and CLT strictly enforce active loading and unloading rules. Drivers cannot leave the bus unattended or sit parked at the terminal curb waiting for delayed luggage, so keep everyone together inside Baggage Claim until the last suitcase hits the carousel.
- Plan for I-95, I-20 & US-501 traffic bottlenecks: While driving to FLO along US-76 takes just 10 minutes from Downtown Florence, out-of-town airport transfers require extra buffer time. Summer beach traffic along US-501 and SC-576 toward Myrtle Beach (MYR), weekday commuter congestion at the I-20 / I-26 interchange near Columbia (CAE), and heavy rush-hour slowdowns on I-77 and I-85 approaching Charlotte (CLT) can easily add 30 to 45 minutes to your schedule.
- Share your airline and flight number when booking: Include your flight details on the online quote form so your local operator can track early touchdowns or weather delays. Once you reserve your vehicle online through the national booking platform, a dedicated confirmation department reaches out to verify every pickup, drop-off, and terminal meeting spot!
- Match your bus size to your luggage load: Traveling with golf clubs for Myrtle Beach, athletic gear for a tournament at Francis Marion University, or heavy suitcases for a week-long convention at the Florence Center? A full-size 56-passenger charter bus features cavernous undercarriage luggage bays, whereas a 20-passenger minibus or 25-passenger minibus offers overhead racks and rear cargo space best suited for carry-on bags.
- Choose the right package for your schedule: Whether you need a quick one-way airport transfer to a hotel at the I-95/I-20 interchange, a split-time pickup and drop-off for a corporate convention, or a long-distance charter bus for a multi-day tour, you can compare customized packages online in seconds.
- Florence Regional Airport (FLO) Visitor Information
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) Ground Transportation
- Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) Ground Transportation
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Shuttles & Buses
Know Before You Go: Charter Bus Guidelines at Florence-Area Airports
Every commercial charter bus, minibus, party bus, and sprinter van operating at Carolina airports must follow TSA and airport authority rules. Review this quick-reference chart so your group knows exactly where to go:
| Airport | Distance from Florence | Departures Drop-Off | Arrivals Pickup | Staging / Waiting Area | Curb Waiting Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLO (Florence Regional) | 3 miles east (15 mins via US-76 E) | Single-level Terminal Loop curb off Gilbert Dr | Outer Terminal Loop curb outside Baggage Claim | Short-term surface lot staging area off Gilbert Dr | No (Active loading only; driver must stay with bus) |
| MYR (Myrtle Beach International) | 68 miles SE (1 hr 25 mins via US-76 & US-501) | Main Terminal Departures curb off Jetport Rd | Ground Transportation Plaza bus lane (south of Baggage Claim) | Cell Phone Waiting Lot on Jetport Rd or commercial staging lane | No (5-min active loading limit at curb) |
| CAE (Columbia Metropolitan) | 75 miles west (1 hr 15 mins via I-20 W & I-26 E) | Upper Level (Departures) outer commercial curb | Lower Level (Baggage Claim) outer commercial curb | CAE Cell Phone Waiting Lot off John N. Hardee Expy | No (Active loading and unloading only) |
| CLT (Charlotte Douglas International) | 110 miles NW (2 hrs via US-52, SC-151 & I-485/I-85) | Upper Level (Departures) curbside | Lower Level (Arrivals) Outer Curb at Zone A or Zone E | CLT Cell Phone Lot / Commercial Hold | No (Strict enforcement; active loading only) |
Charter Bus Guide to Florence Regional Airport (FLO)
Got 30 seconds to plan your pickup at Florence Regional Airport (FLO)? Fill out one quick form to compare bus prices with no account needed, and review these terminal details below!
Major Roadways to FLO
Your bus reaches FLO directly via US-76 / E. Palmetto Street, turning onto Gilbert Drive to enter the single-level terminal loop. Groups traveling from I-95 (Exit 170 or Exit 157) or I-20 connect via SC-327 or US-52 in minutes.
Charter Bus Drop-Off for Departures
For departures out of FLO, your charter bus or 18-passenger minibus pulls straight up to the outer curb of the main terminal loop off Gilbert Drive, just steps from the American Airlines ticketing counters and TSA checkpoint. Because FLO is a compact, single-story regional airport with no overhead garage height restrictions, full-size 56-passenger motorcoaches can easily pull right up to the front sidewalk for fast luggage unloading.
Charter Bus Pickup for Arrivals
Arriving groups deplane at Gate 1 or Gate 2 and walk straight into the main lobby to collect checked suitcases at the ground-floor baggage claim area. Once everyone has their bags in hand, your group walks right out the main sliding glass doors to the outer lane of the Gilbert Drive terminal loop. Groups flying private or corporate charters into FLO arrive next door at Precision Air / FBO, where your bus can coordinate planeside or lobby-side pickup with the FBO desk. It takes less than two minutes to walk from the baggage carousel to your waiting bus!
Staging & Waiting Rules (How to Call Your Bus)
Public safety officers at Florence Regional Airport prohibit commercial buses from idling unattended along the terminal curb. Instead, your driver stages just outside the terminal loop along Gilbert Drive or in the surface parking area until your flight lands. Have your group leader text or call the driver only after all suitcases are collected so the bus can pull up for immediate boarding.
Recommended Meeting Point
Meet inside the main terminal lobby right beside the Baggage Claim carousel and rental car counters. Because FLO has a single centralized exit, your entire group can stay in the air-conditioned terminal until you see your charter bus pull up to the outer curb outside the main glass doors.
Charter Bus Guide to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
Coordinating group air travel through Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) gives your Florence group access to dozens of nonstop flights! Located 68 miles southeast of Florence, MYR is a favorite hub for sports teams, golf groups, and convention attendees.
Pickup & Drop-Off at MYR
Departing groups are dropped off along the outer commercial curb directly in front of the Main Terminal ticketing lobby off Jetport Road. For arrivals, have your group claim their luggage on the first floor and exit through the doors at the south end of the Baggage Claim building toward the Ground Transportation Plaza. Pre-arranged charter buses, party buses, and minibuses load in the designated commercial bus zones adjacent to the rental car center, while drivers wait in the MYR Cell Phone Lot on Jetport Road until called. Because summer weekends bring heavy tourist crowds to MYR, gathering your bags before signaling your driver keeps your pickup quick and ticket-free!
Common Itineraries from MYR
From MYR, your charter bus will travel northwest along US-501 N, SC-576, and US-76 W to bring your group into Florence in about 80 to 90 minutes. Popular routes include sports team transfers to the Florence Soccer Complex or Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center, corporate shuttles to the Florence Center, and campus visits to Francis Marion University. You can also book multi-stop packages that pair Myrtle Beach resort stays with historic tours and wedding shuttles in Florence!
Charter Bus Guide to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) & Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Florence
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Located at 3250 Airport Blvd, West Columbia, SC 29170, CAE is a breeze for group pickups. Charter buses drop departing passengers off on the Upper Level (Ticketing/Departures) curb, while arriving groups collect their luggage on the Lower Level (Baggage Claim) and step out to the outer commercial curb for pickup. Drivers stage in the free CAE Cell Phone Waiting Lot just off Airport Boulevard and pull up to the Lower Level curb in under three minutes once your group is ready. Keep in mind that the CAE terminal parking garage has a 7’0” clearance limit, so all minibuses and motorcoaches use the surface commercial lanes.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Located at 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208 (about 110 miles northwest of Florence via US-52 N, SC-151 N, US-74 W, and I-485 / I-85, or via I-20 W to I-77 N), CLT is the primary international gateway for the Carolinas. Charter buses drop departing travelers along the Upper Level Departures curb and pick arriving groups up on the Lower Level (Arrivals/Baggage Claim) Outer Curb at the designated charter bus loading areas in Zone A (west end) or Zone E (east end). Because CLT terminal parking decks enforce strict height limits between 7’6” and 8’6”, commercial buses wait at the CLT Cell Phone Lot at 4920 Wilkinson Blvd until your entire group has bags in hand at Zone A or Zone E. From CLT, your group can relax with reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, and an onboard restroom during the two-hour ride back to Florence!
