Hilton Head Airport Upgrade

The Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) has officially entered a new era following a transformative $53 million expansion project and we know that Beachside Getaway visitors will be excited to see how much the airport has changed for the better! 

This significant investment was fueled primarily by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants, supplemented by state funding from the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission and local contributions from Beaufort County. The project, which has been in various stages of planning and execution for several years, saw its most intensive construction phase over the last three years. While the airport remained operational throughout the process, the fully realized terminal expansion is now open and welcoming travelers to a modernized gateway for the Lowcountry. We couldn’t be more excited!

The timeline for the project was carefully managed to accommodate the island's surging popularity. Construction officially broke ground on the terminal expansion in late 2022, though it followed a decade of foundational improvements, including the 2018 runway extension that allowed for larger jet service. After roughly 24-30 months of active terminal construction, the facility has shifted from a cramped, utilitarian space into a sophisticated hub capable of handling the hundreds of thousands of passengers that now pass through the island annually.

Visitors walking through the terminal for the first time will find a stark contrast to the pre-renovation experience. Where the old airport often felt congested with limited seating and minimal amenities, the new 30,000-square-foot expansion offers triple the previous holding room space and a much-needed increase from two gates to five. 

Travelers can expect a Lowcountry chic aesthetic featuring abundant natural light, upgraded security checkpoints to speed up the TSA process, and vastly improved food and beverage options. The most notable change is the elimination of the bottleneck feel. The new layout provides a spacious, breezy transition that mirrors the relaxed vacation atmosphere of the island itself.  

And did we mention an upscale airport bar?

If you are flying into the newly renovated Hilton Head airport for your vacation, here are answers to frequently asked questions to make your vacation easy when arriving through Hilton Head Airport.

Do I need to rent a car on Hilton Head Island?

Renting a car at the Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) is a straightforward process, as the rental counters are conveniently located directly across from the baggage claim area within the terminal. While the airport has modernized significantly, it remains a boutique facility, meaning the physical inventory of vehicles on-site is limited compared to major hubs like Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV).

Major providers including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National operate here, but they share a smaller parking lot footprint. Because of this limited space and the island’s high seasonal demand, it is highly recommended to reserve your vehicle well in advance. While there are a variety of options, ranging from compact cars to SUVs, availability can vanish quickly during peak vacation weeks or major events like the RBC Heritage, and walk-up rentals are rarely guaranteed or possible. Booking ahead ensures your vehicle is staged and ready.

Are there Ubers on Hilton Head Island?

While Uber and Lyft are available 24/7 on Hilton Head Island, travelers should expect longer wait times than in larger cities as they are not as prevalent. Rides are generally easy to secure in the afternoons or from the airport, with wait times often ranging from 10 to 15 minutes; however, availability can become limited during late-night hours or for early morning departures. To ensure a timely trip, especially when returning to the airport or traveling during peak seasonal events, it is highly recommended to use the Uber Reserve feature to schedule a ride up to 90 days in advance. Pickup locations at the Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) are clearly marked in the designated rideshare zones. Note that ride shares are difficult in the evening and late evening, especially, and reserving a safe night home from nightlife and entertainment is always recommended.  

Depending on where you are staying on Hilton Head, you may not need to rent a car.  At Beachside Getaway, we offer dozens of rental properties on North Forest Beach or South Forest Beach, which are in walking distance to Coligny Plaza restaurants and a grocery store.  In short, flying to Hilton Head and not having a rental car is possible if you stay in the right place.  We recommend giving us a call at Beachside Getaway to help you determine the house that is best for you if you are not renting or bringing your car. We have dozens of options that will work for families and groups where you don’t have to have the added expense of a car rental. If your plan is to mostly beach, pool, eat and shop, there are several options that work.

Can you order groceries to your vacation rental home on Hilton Head?

Grocery delivery is widely available on Hilton Head Island, making it easy to stock your vacation rental and avoid the grocery stores! Major local supermarkets, including Publix, Harris Teeter, Kroger, and Walmart, offer robust delivery and curbside pickup options, often powered by their own dedicated apps or third-party services like Instacart.

Enjoy the new Hilton Head Island airport and remember to call Beachside Getaway for specific travel questions and recommendations to HHH.