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Major city · United States

Beaufort, South CarolinaBeaufort

Two nights is right: one full day for the historic district on foot, one for the water or Parris Island. Skip it as a day trip from Charleston (2 h each way).

Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
avoid Jun–Aug (heat, humidity, hurricane season), mid-Dec–Feb (quiet, some closures)
Airports
HHH · SAV · CHS
Nights
2
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Beaufort is a small waterfront town on Port Royal Island, roughly halfway between Charleston and Savannah. The draw is a compact historic district of antebellum houses along Bay Street and the sea islands around it. It is a two-night stop, not a base for a week, and a car makes the islands and beaches reachable.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Beaufort, South Carolina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeUS$3–6
  • Sit-down mealShrimp or oyster dinner mainUS$22–38
  • Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or plate lunchUS$10–18
  • BeerDraught beer / house wineUS$6–9US$9–14
  • Taxi, about 5 kmRide-hailing across townUS$10–20
  • Museum or sight ticketHistoric-house museum entryUS$8–15
  • Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$170
  • High-end bedChain hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$320

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Antebellum architecture in the historic districtBay Street waterfront and Downtown MarinaForrest Gump filming locationsSea islands: St. Helena, Lady's Island, Hunting IslandMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Airports
HHH Hilton Head Island Airport (About 23 km south; very limited service, no direct flights from most cities.) · SAV Savannah/Hilton Head International (About 60 km southwest; the usual choice, with service to major US hubs.) · CHS Charleston International (About 79 km northeast; more flights than Savannah, about 1.5 h by car.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Beaufort, South Carolina: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

16°C

5°C

8 rd

Feb

18°C

6°C

8 rd

Mar

21°C

10°C

8 rd

Apr

25°C

14°C

7 rd

May

29°C

18°C

8 rd

Jun

32°C

22°C

11 rd

Jul

33°C

24°C

12 rd

Aug

32°C

23°C

12 rd

Sep

29°C

21°C

9 rd

Oct

25°C

15°C

6 rd

Nov

21°C

10°C

6 rd

Dec

17°C

6°C

8 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The historic district is walkable in 20–30 minutes end to end. For the sea islands, beaches and Parris Island you need a car or a ride-hailing app; Palmetto Breeze runs limited public bus routes around Beaufort County, with sparse evening service. Parking downtown is metered or free in marked lots — check signs.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Hunting Island State Park

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Drive US-21 south through Lady's Island and St. Helena, about 30 min from Beaufort

Beach, lighthouse and maritime forest; small per-person park fee.

Hilton Head Island

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive US-278 south, about 45 min without traffic

Beaches and bike paths, but summer bridge traffic can double the drive.

Bluffton

go

Door to door: About 35 min

Drive US-278 west, about 25 min

Small old town with galleries and riverfront; pairs well with a Hilton Head run.

Savannah, Georgiago

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Drive I-95 south then I-16, about 1 h 15 min

A full day; leave early to park before the historic district fills.

Charleston, South Carolinaovernight

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive US-17 north, about 1 h 30 min

Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep a night instead.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Historic District (Bay Street and the Point)

Walk to the waterfront, restaurants and house museums; inns and B&Bs, highest prices.

Boundary Street and US-21 strip

Chain hotels, free parking, 5–10 min drive to the waterfront; best value with a car.

Port Royal

Quieter village 10 min south, near The Sands beach and Cypress Wetlands; a few small stays.

Lady's Island and St. Helena Island

Rural rentals and a few inns; you need a car for everything.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
US$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
US$150–230 excl. bed
High
US$250+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Chain hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$170US$340
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$190US$760
Rental car, one day, with basic insurance1 × US$80US$80
Ride-hailing, Beaufort to Hunting Island and back1 × US$70US$70
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$128
Trip total≈ US$352 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,408

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeUS$3–6
Deli sandwich or plate lunchUS$10–18
Shrimp or oyster dinner mainUS$22–38
Draught beer / house wineUS$6–9 / US$9–14
Historic-house museum entryUS$8–15
Hunting Island State Park entry, per personUS$8–10
Ride-hailing across townUS$10–20

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Beaufort is a low-crime small town; the real risks are summer heat, marsh mosquitoes, rip currents on the beaches and deer on the sea-island roads at dusk.
  • Summer heat and humidity are serious: plan walking before 11:00 and after 16:00.
  • Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov; check forecasts and evacuation routes if a storm is named.
  • Parris Island is an active military base: civilians need a valid photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of insurance, and must sign in at the Visitor Center.
  • Some historic-house museums keep short seasonal hours and close on Sundays or Mondays — check before you go.
  • Marsh and beach areas have mosquitoes and no-see-ums at dusk; bring repellent.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Beaufort Police (non-emergency)
843-524-2777
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Beaufort, South CarolinaBeaufort

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Beaufort Police (non-emergency)843-524-2777
  • Poison Control1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No embassies in Beaufort; consulates are in Atlanta and Miami, embassies in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Savannah airport → Beaufort, taxi or shuttle: US$90–140, about 1 h (check)
  • Charleston airport → Beaufort, taxi or shuttle: US$120–180, about 1.5 h (check)
  • Ride-hailing in the historic district: US$8–15
  • Amtrak Yemassee → Beaufort, taxi: US$40–60, about 30 min (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the waterfront? — Where is the waterfront?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • A table for two, please — A table for two, please
  • Is there parking nearby? — Is there parking nearby?

Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Beaufort, South Carolina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (heat, humidity, hurricane season), mid-Dec–Feb (quiet, some closures) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for SAV, CHS and HHH: last departures, shuttle and taxi fallbacks, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters in the historic district with rescue anchors: Bay Street, the Point, Craven Street, the waterfront park.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (Beaufort History Museum, John Mark Verdier House, Reconstruction Era sites, Fort Fremont) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Sea-island drive fixtures so Hunting Island, Port Royal and Parris Island can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources