You're standing in line at McGhee Tyson (TYS) thinking about a bowl of She-crab soup. I get it. The distance between East Tennessee and the South Carolina coast is basically a tease—it’s just over 300 miles as the crow flies, yet it feels like an eternity if you’re stuck behind a semi on I-26.
If you're looking for flights Knoxville to Charleston, there is one thing you need to accept immediately: the "direct flight" is basically a myth right now. I know, it’s annoying. You’d think two Southern hubs this close would have a puddle jumper, but the reality of 2026 regional air travel is a bit more complicated. Unless a budget carrier like Allegiant or Breeze decides to drop a seasonal surprise route (which they do occasionally—check their Tuesday updates), you are almost certainly going to be making a pit stop.
The Layover Reality: Charlotte vs. Atlanta
Honestly, your entire experience depends on which "hub" you choose to sit in for an hour. Since there aren't currently reliable non-stop options from TYS to CHS, you’re looking at a connection.
- The American Airlines Route (Via CLT): This is usually the fastest. You hop over to Charlotte Douglas, walk a few miles through the terminal (seriously, wear comfortable shoes), and then it’s a tiny 45-minute hop down to Charleston. Total travel time is often under 4 hours if the timing is right.
- The Delta Play (Via ATL): This is the heavy hitter. Delta runs Knoxville to Atlanta like a bus service. From ATL, the flights to Charleston are constant. It’s reliable, but Hartsfield-Jackson is huge. If your first flight is ten minutes late, you’ll be sprinting.
- The Southwest Wildcard: Sometimes they’ll route you through Nashville (BNA) or even Baltimore. It sounds crazy to go North to go South, but if you’ve got two free bags and a Southwest companion pass, the math might actually work in your favor.
Timing Your Booking Without Getting Ripped Off
Flights between these two cities shouldn't cost as much as a trip to Europe, but sometimes the pricing feels that way. Most people wait until two weeks out. Don't do that.
For 2026, the sweet spot for flights Knoxville to Charleston is roughly 28 to 35 days before departure. If you see a round-trip price under $240, grab it. Anything over $400 is basically the airline "surge pricing" you because they know you're desperate for a wedding or a long weekend.
January and February are historically the cheapest months to fly this route. Of course, Charleston in January is a bit chilly for the beach, but it's perfect for walking the Battery without sweating through your shirt. If you're looking at June or July, expect to pay a "humidity tax" as demand skyrockets for summer vacations.
The "Should I Just Drive?" Debate
Let’s be real for a second. By the time you get to McGhee Tyson two hours early, deal with TSA, fly to Charlotte, wait an hour, fly to Charleston, and then wait for an Uber... you could have probably driven there.
📖 Related: Why Dominican Car Service Queens Is Still the Best Way to Get Around the Borough
Driving from Knoxville to Charleston takes about 5.5 to 6 hours depending on how heavy your foot is and how much time you spend at the Asheville outlets.
Fly if: You’re traveling alone, you have airline miles to burn, or you absolutely loathe the winding mountain passes on I-40.
Drive if: You’re a family of four. Four plane tickets at $300 a pop is $1,200. Gas and snacks? Maybe $150. Plus, you’ll have your own car in Charleston, which saves you a fortune on rentals or $30 Uber rides from the peninsula to Folly Beach.
Pro Tips for McGhee Tyson (TYS)
If you do fly, Knoxville’s airport is actually one of the easiest "small-big" airports in the country.
- The rocking chairs: Use them. They’re the best part of the terminal.
- Parking: The economy lots fill up fast on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings with business travelers. If you’re flying out for a long weekend, give yourself an extra 15 minutes to find a spot.
- Security: It’s usually a breeze, but 6:00 AM is the "rush hour" when all the hub-bound flights depart.
Final Insights for Your Trip
When searching for flights Knoxville to Charleston, use a private or incognito browser window. Airlines love to track your searches and nudge prices up when they see you're looking at the same dates repeatedly. Also, check the "multi-city" or "nearby airports" option. Occasionally, flying into Savannah (SAV) and driving 90 minutes North is significantly cheaper than flying directly into CHS, especially during peak festivals like Spoleto.
Lock in your dates early, keep an eye on those Charlotte layover times (anything under 45 minutes is a gamble), and get ready for some world-class biscuits once you land in the Lowcountry.
Next Step: Check the current Tuesday "Deals" page on Allegiant’s website to see if they've added any seasonal direct legs from TYS, as these aren't always listed on major aggregators like Expedia or Google Flights.