--- type: Airport Family Guide title: "Charleston Airport (CHS) with Kids: Every Family Facility, Mapped" description: "CHS's two nursing suites (baggage claim and Concourse B), changing stations in most restrooms and a 3:30am checkpoint, for families. Checked October 2026." resource: https://www.velivolotravel.com/family-airport-guide/charleston-international-airport-chs tags: [airport, family, travel, CHS, us-south] timestamp: 2026-10-28 --- # Charleston Airport (CHS) with Kids: Every Family Facility, Mapped **Short answer:** Charleston International has two nursing suites, one before security between baggage carousels 2 and 3 and one past security in Concourse B, and baby changing stations in most men's and women's restrooms. CHS lists no children's play area, family restroom, sensory room, family lane or stroller rental. **Velivolo family score:** 4.8/10 (Fair) Charleston is a compact one-terminal airport that covers feeding and changing without fuss. There are two nursing suites, one in baggage claim before security and one past security in Concourse B, and CHS says most men's and women's restrooms have baby changing stations, so either parent can handle a change. There's no play area or sensory room, but Paws for Takeoff therapy dogs visit, and Sunflower lanyards are free at Guest Services. ## Quick facts - Charleston International has two nursing suites: pre-security between baggage carousels 2 and 3, and post-security in Concourse B. - CHS says baby changing stations are in most of its men's and women's restrooms. - The CHS TSA checkpoint opens daily at 3:30am and runs until 9:30pm or the last departure. - Free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards and bracelets are available at the CHS Guest Services Desk across from Central Hall. - CHS Check n' Go offers curbside bag check for Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United. ## Facility matrix | Facility | Status | Terminals | Security side | Hours | Age limit | Cost | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Children's play area | unconfirmed | – | unknown | – | – | unknown | | Nursing suite | available | Baggage claim, Concourse B | both | Not published | – | free | | Family restroom | unconfirmed | – | unknown | – | – | unknown | | Baby changing table | available | Most men's and women's restrooms | both | Terminal hours | – | free | | Sensory room | unconfirmed | – | unknown | – | – | unknown | | Family security lane | unconfirmed | – | unknown | – | – | unknown | | Stroller rental | unconfirmed | – | unknown | – | – | unknown | | Dedicated family lounge | unconfirmed | – | unknown | – | – | unknown | ## Nursing rooms | Name | Location | Security side | Detail | Source | |---|---|---|---|---| | Nursing suite, baggage claim | Main terminal · Baggage claim · Between carousels 2 and 3 | pre-security | CHS publishes no access method or feature list. | https://iflychs.com/passengers/amenities-lounge/ | | Nursing suite, Concourse B | Main terminal · Concourse B | post-security | CHS publishes no access method or feature list. | https://iflychs.com/passengers/amenities-lounge/ | ## Security with children - **Family lane:** CHS publishes no family security lane. The TSA checkpoint opens daily at 3:30am and runs until 9:30pm or the last departure, with hourly wait forecasts on CHS's security page (typically under 15 minutes). CHS recommends arriving 90 minutes to two hours before departure. Free Sunflower lanyards and bracelets are at the Guest Services Desk across from Central Hall, and TSA Cares can help if you call 72 hours ahead. - **Strollers and car seats:** Strollers, baby carriers and car seats go through the X-ray, and anything too large is inspected by hand. Take your child out and carry them through the walk-through metal detector. - **Formula, milk and baby food:** Formula, breast milk and baby food are allowed over 3.4 oz (100 ml) and do not need to fit in the quart bag. Tell the officer at the start of screening and take them out of your bag. - **Shoes:** Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening. - **PreCheck:** Children 12 and under can use the TSA PreCheck lane with an enrolled parent or guardian. Teens 13 to 17 on the same reservation can too, if the PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass. - Source: https://iflychs.com/passengers/security-checkpoint/ ## Getting between terminals CHS has one terminal with Concourses A and B. The Guest Services Desk is across from Central Hall. Each concourse has an accessible elevator for aircraft boarding, and boarding bridges provide level entry. There are 2,000 outlets and USB ports for charging devices. - Source: https://iflychs.com/passengers/accessibility/ ## Layover plans ### 1–2 hours — Feed and change 1. The Concourse B nursing suite is past security. 2. Most men's and women's restrooms have changing stations. 3. Charge devices at one of 2,000 outlets. ### 3–5 hours — Look for the therapy dogs 1. Paws for Takeoff dogs visit the terminal. 2. Pack activities: there is no play area. 3. The Club sells day passes if you want a quieter space. ### Early flight — Checkpoint opens at 3:30am 1. Use CHS Check n' Go at the curb. 2. Wait forecasts are on the CHS security page. 3. The baggage claim nursing suite is before security. ## Your rights - **Lactation:** As a medium hub, CHS falls under the FAM Act's requirement for a non-restroom lactation space past security. Its Concourse B nursing suite meets that. - **Changing tables:** CHS says most men's and women's restrooms have baby changing stations. - **Liquids:** TSA's national rule applies at Charleston Airport: formula, breast milk and baby food are allowed over 3.4 oz (100 ml) and do not need to fit in the quart bag. Declare them at the start of screening. - **Boarding:** Family boarding is set by your airline, not by Charleston Airport. Check your carrier before you fly. - **If it is missing:** Ask a Guest Services Specialist at the desk across from Central Hall. For screening help, call TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 at least 72 hours ahead. - Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/302 ## FAQ ### Does Charleston airport have a kids' play area? CHS doesn't list one. Its amenities page covers nursing suites, the shared lounge, pet relief areas, carts and the Paws for Takeoff therapy dog programme, which kids usually love, but no play area. ### Where can I breastfeed or pump at CHS? Charleston International has two nursing suites. One is before security in baggage claim, between carousels 2 and 3. The other is past security in Concourse B. CHS doesn't publish hours or features. ### Are there changing tables at Charleston airport? Yes. CHS says baby changing stations are in most of its men's and women's restrooms, so either parent can do a change. The airport doesn't list dedicated family restrooms. ### Does CHS have a sensory room? CHS's site doesn't list one. It takes part in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, with free lanyards and bracelets at the Guest Services Desk across from Central Hall, and its Paws for Takeoff therapy dogs help create a calm atmosphere. ### What time does security open at Charleston? The CHS TSA checkpoint opens daily at 3:30am and runs until 9:30pm or the last departure. Its security page shows hourly wait forecasts, usually under 15 minutes. CHS recommends arriving 90 minutes to two hours before departure. ### Can I rent a stroller at Charleston airport? CHS doesn't mention stroller rental. Luggage carts are $6 in baggage claim near carousel 1 and on the parking deck. Bring your own stroller and gate-check it under your airline's rules. ### Can we check bags at the curb at CHS? Yes. CHS Check n' Go is the airport's curbside bag check for Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United, which saves standing in the ticket counter line with children. ### What are the rules for formula and breast milk at CHS security? TSA's national rules apply. Formula, breast milk and baby food are allowed in your carry-on above the 3.4 oz (100 ml) limit and don't need to fit in the quart bag. Tell the officer at the start of screening and take them out of your bag. ## Related airports - [Charlotte (CLT)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/charlotte-douglas-international-airport-clt.md) — The Carolinas hub, with more family facilities. - [Raleigh (RDU)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/raleigh-durham-international-airport-rdu.md) — Another Carolina airport we cover. - [Atlanta (ATL)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/hartsfield-jackson-atlanta-international-airport-atl.md) — A major connection point from Charleston. - [Jacksonville (JAX)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/jacksonville-international-airport-jax.md) — A nearby coastal airport with a similar family score. ## Sources - [Charleston Airport: Amenities & Lounge (2026)](https://iflychs.com/passengers/amenities-lounge/) — Nursing suites, carts, therapy dogs and services - [Charleston Airport: Accessibility (2026)](https://iflychs.com/passengers/accessibility/) — Changing stations, Sunflower programme and TSA Cares - [Charleston Airport: Security Checkpoint (2026)](https://iflychs.com/passengers/security-checkpoint/) — Checkpoint hours and wait forecasts - [TSA: Traveling with Children (2026)](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children) — National liquids, shoes and screening rules for children - [FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (FAM Act), H.R. 302 (2018)](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/302) — The legal basis for lactation space at medium and large hubs **Last checked:** 2026-10-28