With over 60 miles of sandy coastline known as the “Grand Strand,” world-class golf courses, and a classic American boardwalk vibe, Myrtle Beach is the epitome of a sun-soaked getaway. It’s a place built for long days, easy living, and family fun.
But first, you have to get there. For a destination famously popular for road trips, navigating the flight options can feel tricky. More importantly, packing for an active vacation, where you’re constantly on the move, requires a smart, modern approach.
As your travel experts, we’ve built the complete guide. Here is not only the best way to fly into Myrtle Beach, but also our essential list of what to pack to ensure your trip is seamless from takeoff to touchdown.
Part 1: How to Get There (The Flight Plan)
Your destination airport is Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). It’s a clean, modern, and incredibly convenient airport located just a few miles from the main stretch, meaning you can be on the beach within 20 minutes of grabbing your bags.
Airlines That Fly to MYR
MYR is serviced by a mix of major carriers and budget-friendly airlines. This gives you fantastic flexibility. Key airlines include:
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Frontier Airlines
Key Direct Flight Hubs
While many routes are seasonal, a growing number of cities offer year-round direct flights. The most common direct (non-stop) hubs include:
- Charlotte, NC (CLT): A major hub for American Airlines.
- Atlanta, GA (ATL): A major hub for Delta Air Lines.
- New York, NY (LGA): Multiple carriers.
- Newark, NJ (EWR): United and Spirit.
- Chicago, IL (ORD): American and United.
- Washington D.C. (DCA/IAD): Multiple carriers.
- Philadelphia, PA (PHL): American and Spirit.
A Note on Seasonal Flights
This is the most important insider tip: Many routes to Myrtle Beach are seasonal. Airlines add a huge number of direct flights from cities in the Northeast, Midwest, and Canada from late spring to early fall. If you’re searching for flights in October for a trip in January, you may see limited options. Always check for flights during the season you plan to travel.
When to Book
For summer family trips (June-August), book at least 2-3 months in advance. For golf trips, the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) are prime time. You’ll find great weather and slightly better flight and accommodation deals than in peak summer.
Part 2: What to Pack (The DRIFT Essentials)
Your flight is booked. Now, the critical part. A vacation in Myrtle Beach means you will not be in your hotel room.
You’ll spend eight hours on the beach. Five hours on a golf course. A full evening strolling on Broadway at the Beach. This “all-day-out” travel style has one major enemy: the dreaded low-battery warning.
There is nothing worse than…
- Your noise-canceling headphones are dying on the last hour of the flight.
- Your portable speaker is giving out just as you’ve set up the perfect beach spot.
- Your kids’ tablet is going black while waiting in line for dinner.
- Your golf rangefinder died on the 14th hole.
The amateur traveler throws a handful of disposable batteries in their bag and hopes for the best. The Drift traveler packs a smart, self-sustaining “Power Kit.”
The “Always-On” Travel Kit
1. The Mainstay: A High-Capacity Power Bank This is non-negotiable. A high-quality power bank (which is essentially just one large rechargeable battery) is your lifeline for your phone and tablet. Get one that’s at least 10,000mAh, which is enough to charge two phones from 0 to 100% and keep your group powered through a long flight and a full day on the sand.
2. The Pro-Move: The Rechargeable Battery System This is the real game-changer. Look at your other gear: that portable fan (a must-have in the South Carolina humidity), your kids’ favorite toys, a travel shaver, or your golf tech.
Instead of packing a messy, wasteful assortment of disposable AA and AAA batteries, the smart traveler packs one compact travel charger and a small set of high-quality rechargeable batteries.
The workflow is simple and elegant: You get back to your hotel after a long day. You plug your phone into the wall. You take the AA batteries from your speaker and fan and pop them into their travel charger. Every morning, you wake up with a 100% “fresh” set of batteries for all your gadgets.
It’s a sustainable, reliable, and packable system. You’ll never have to make a desperate, over-priced run to a beach gift shop for a pack of low-quality batteries again.
Your Seamless Myrtle Beach Getaway
Flying to Myrtle Beach is easier than ever, with more direct flights and airlines to choose from. But a truly seamless and modern vacation is all in the details. By planning your flights smartly and, more importantly, planning your power, you guarantee your holiday is fully charged from the moment you leave home.
What’s on your Myrtle Beach tech-essentials list? Let us know your must-have travel gadgets in the comments below.
