Myrtle Beach

Sun-soaked shores and endless entertainment

Myrtle Beach stretches along South Carolina’s coast with wide sandy shores and a boardwalk lined with shops. The area has amusement parks, fishing piers and golf courses that attract visitors year-round. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood like shrimp and flounder caught nearby. In summer, crowds enjoy water sports such as surfing or paddleboarding while live music plays from outdoor venues. Winter brings quieter days but still offers sunrise walks along the beach and occasional festivals celebrating regional culture.

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City in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language spoken throughout Myrtle Beach. As a major US tourist destination, all service providers, attractions, and locals communicate fluently in English, making navigation and interaction seamless for English-speaking visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Myrtle Beach Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Great for family beach vacations. Relax on long sandy shores, play golf courses, enjoy amusement parks and walk lively boardwalks.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Sea

Golf

Beaches

Aquariums

Large cities

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Myrtle Beach, United States

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

🔥

Jun

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Jul

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Aug

☀️

Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Hurricane season June to November, with highest risk late August to early October

Many beach attractions, amusement parks and some restaurants reduce hours or close November to March

Spring golf season March to April draws large numbers of visitors to the courses

Don't miss

🌊 Stroll along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and enjoy ocean views
🎡 Ride the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel for panoramic coastal scenery
🏖️ Relax on golden sands and swim in the Atlantic waves
🎤 Catch a live show at the Carolina Opry theater
⛳ Play a round at one of the city’s top golf courses
🛍️ Explore family attractions and shops at Broadway at the Beach

You've been here?

Why travel to Myrtle Beach?

Traveling to Myrtle Beach offers that rare combination of relaxation and excitement that makes for a truly versatile vacation experience. The city's wide, sandy beaches provide the perfect backdrop for classic seaside activities, while the lively boardwalk pulses with energy, featuring everything from souvenir shops to thrilling rides and free summer concerts. The SkyWheel, standing 200 feet tall with climate-controlled gondolas, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the coastline that are particularly magical during sunset or when illuminated by its million LED lights at night. Beyond the beach, Myrtle Beach reveals itself as a destination with remarkable depth. Golf enthusiasts can challenge themselves on courses designed by legendary architects, while families find endless entertainment at attractions like Broadway at the Beach, a 141-hectare complex housing everything from interactive museums to aquariums. Nature lovers can explore Myrtle Beach State Park for a quieter beach experience with hiking trails and camping opportunities. What makes Myrtle Beach special is how it manages to be both a bustling tourist destination and a collection of distinct beach communities, each with its own character, allowing visitors to craft experiences ranging from high-energy adventures to peaceful retreats.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 SkyWheel
2 Legends in Concert
3 Ripley's Aquarium
4 WonderWorks
5 Pier 14
6 Carolina Opry

🎡Places for activities

1 Myrtle Beach
2 Grand Strand Airport
3 North Myrtle Beach
4 Springmaid Pier

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Huntington Beach State Park
2 Myrtle Beach State Park
3 Murrells Inlet
4 Pawleys Island
5 Waccamaw River
6 Dunes Golf & Beach Club

🛍️Shopping

1 Broadway at the Beach
2 Barefoot Landing
3 Coastal Grand Mall
4 Tanger Outlets
5 The Market Common
6 Hammock Shops
7 Myrtle Beach Mall
8 Gay Dolphin Gift Cove

🎈Events

Carolina Country Music Festival (June)
Myrtle Beach Bike Week (May)
Myrtle Beach Marathon (March)
Boardwalk Summer Concert Series
Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival
Taste of the Town
Blue Crab Festival
Irish Italian Festival
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival
Christmas Parades and Light Shows

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book accommodations early for summer peak season crowds.
Explore 60-mile Grand Strand beaches; Myrtle Beach State Park offers shaded picnic spots.
Visit Broadway at the Beach complex for dining, shopping and Ripley's Aquarium highlights.
Rent bikes for boardwalk cruising; catch free summer concerts at Pier 14 stage nightly.

How to travel to Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is easily accessible by air via Myrtle Beach International Airport, located just 10 minutes from downtown. The airport offers direct flights from many major US cities, particularly during peak season. For road‑trippers, major highways connect to the city, with US-501 serving as the main artery. Once in the area, having a car is convenient for exploring the entire Grand Strand, though traffic can be heavy during peak seasons.

Access summary

From Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR): Taxi or hotel shuttle, about 10 minutes.
From Charleston: Coastal drive on US-17, usually around 2 hours.
From Charlotte: Drive via I-77/US-74/US-501, roughly 3.5–4 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach offers accommodations for every budget and preference, from high-rise oceanfront hotels and luxury resorts to budget-friendly motels and vacation rentals. The beachfront is lined with hotels offering direct ocean access, while inland options tend to be more affordable. During summer months and special events, prices increase significantly and availability becomes limited, so booking well in advance is essential, especially for oceanfront properties.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Marina Inn at Grande Dunes

Dayton House Resort, BW Signature Collection

8.1

Caribbean Resort Myrtle Beach

7.9

Paradise Resort

9.1

Anderson Ocean Club and Spa by Oceana Resorts

8.3

Ocean Reef Resort

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Myrtle Beach

Getting around Myrtle Beach offers several options depending on your preferences. Having a car provides the most flexibility for exploring the entire Grand Strand, though expect traffic congestion during peak summer months and spring break, especially on US-501. Metered street parking and all-day parking lots are available throughout the city. For car-free travel, the Coast RTA bus system serves the main tourist areas with routes connecting major attractions and neighboring communities.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-11 %

Daily expenses in Myrtle Beach are around 11% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£64	£140	£363
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£30	£68	£150
🍝 Food per day	£28	£66	£186
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£6	£27

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£29
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.55

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£95
🤧 Cold medication	£7.50
💇 Basic haircut	£14

Safety information overview

General safety

Myrtle Beach is generally safe for tourists, though exercise caution in crowded areas and at night, especially along certain parts of Ocean Boulevard. During peak season, be aware of beach safety flags and rip current warnings. Traffic can be hazardous during busy periods.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Myrtle Beach are well-equipped to handle tourist needs with several hospitals and urgent care centers. Summer heat and humidity can cause heat-related issues, so staying hydrated is important. UV exposure is intense, making sunscreen essential.

Accessibility

Myrtle Beach has made efforts to improve accessibility with beach wheelchair rentals, accessible boardwalk ramps and many hotels offering ADA-compliant rooms. Some older attractions may present challenges, but major venues are generally accessible. Several beaches have wheelchair-accessible sections.

Tap water

Tap water in Myrtle Beach is safe to drink but may have a slightly different taste than what visitors are used to. Bottled water is widely available at stores and restaurants. During hot summer months, carrying water is essential to prevent dehydration.