Many first-time visitors to Charlotte fly into Charlotte Douglas Airport without really thinking about the next steps in their journey. Unfortunately, overlooking this aspect can lead to a stressful visit. While Charlotte does have some public transit in central areas (and is slowly adding more comprehensive options), as a whole, it’s a car-centric city. Most Charlotteans rely heavily on cars, and visitors without a vehicle may struggle to reach some of the area’s most impressive attractions.
Charlotte Is Spread Out
At first glance, people flying into Charlotte may think they have many options. Public transport from the airport to central Charlotte is good – both the LYNX light rail and the bus network service the airport reasonably frequently. However, if you want to get beyond Uptown and into wider Charlotte (or the Carolinas beyond), it’s well worth logging on to compare rental cars at the airport.
While you might be ok for a few days without a car if you’re staying in Uptown or South End, it won’t be long before you realize how restricted you are in terms of getting to know the city as a whole. Charlotte has grown up very fast in recent years – much faster than its transport and sidewalk infrastructure, which hasn’t been able to keep up. It’s a sprawling, spread-out city, with major sights, attractions, and amenities dispersed over many miles. And there’s little (if any) public transport to help you get from place to place.
Speaking of which…
Public Transit Isn’t Great
Charlotte is dominated by arterial highways. The bus network is complicated, and doesn’t cover a huge amount of ground. The light rail network is fast and reliable, but, again, only serves a limited number of locations. The city is working on building a new ‘Gateway Station’ which, when complete, should give the city a wider range of multi-modal public transport and a bigger regional network. Realistically, however, this won’t be functional before 2030. Until then, people trying to get around Charlotte by public transit alone are likely to have a frustrating experience.
A Car Opens Up The City
Without a car, you’ll find many neighborhoods virtually inaccessible. Even if you do manage to reach them, you’ll struggle to get around as most Charlotte districts aren’t particularly walkable.
NoDa is a must-see district when you’re in Charlotte. It’s quirky and artsy, with plenty of independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. There’s always something fun going on here, but you won’t be able to join in if you can’t get there – and transit here is tricky to navigate.
Then there’s SouthPark – an upscale shopping and dining district with an enormous mall. Or the lively neighborhood of Plaza Midtown, well known for its restaurants, vintage shops, music venues, and strong local character.
And, of course, Ballantyne – a modern suburb in South Charlotte with a golf course, upmarket hotels, and easy access to major highways. Again, a car will give you easy access to all of these districts, but without one, you’ll really struggle to reach them.
A Car Helps You See Major Attractions
Having a car in Charlotte makes it much, much easier to reach some of the area’s major attractions, including:
- The US National Whitewater Center – an outdoor activity complex including whitewater rafting, zip lines, mountain bike trails, and more. It’s located several miles west of Uptown.
- Carowinds. A major theme park south of Charlotte, near the South Carolina border.
- Lake Norman. A popular destination for boating, lakeside dining, and relaxing in waterfront parks.
- Shopping outlets like SouthPark Mall and Carolina Place Mall.
Rideshare Costs Add Up
Uber and Lyft operate across Charlotte, as do private taxi services, so if you’ve got the cash to be driven around, then Charlotte will open up to you. However, given just how car-centric and spread out the city is, it’s likely that you’ll end up paying a lot if you’re totally reliant on taxis and rideshares to see everything you want to see. Far more, overall, than you’d pay for a car hire.
A Car Protects You From The Weather
If you’re relying on public transport, you’ll have to do a lot of walking from stations and stops to attractions and amenities. This means you’ll have to contend with the Charlotte weather, which isn’t always friendly. In the summer, the city can be very hot and humid. Rainstorms can also come on very suddenly. So, if you want to arrive at your destination comfortable and looking your best, you need the convenience of a dry, air-conditioned car.
Charlotte Parking Is Easy
Parking in Charlotte is much easier and cheaper than in many other major American cities. Because the city is so spread out, there’s plenty of space to park on the streets, and the car-centric nature of Charlotte means that there are plenty of parking lots and garages, even in the most built-up districts like Uptown. You might have to pay for parking in the center, but prices are much lower than you’d find in many other areas. Outside of the center, parking is usually free.
Charlotte Is Better (And Easier!) With A Car
Charlotte is a relatively young city, and as such, it’s built for cars rather than for pedestrians and trains. Without a car, you’ll have to spend a lot of money to get around with rideshares and taxis, or miss out on much and experience a lot of frustration by relying on buses and the light rail. With a car, you’ll find Charlotte an easy and friendly city to drive in, with plenty of parking and lots to see and do. So, if you’re flying in, organize a hire car before you hit the airport, and enjoy your time behind the wheel in Charlotte.
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