StayAreasIs French Quarter a good place to stay in Charleston?
Yes, especially for a first visit or a romantic stay. Rainbow Row and the best restaurants are on foot, but rooms are pricey.
Stay here if
- First-time visitors
- Couples
- History and architecture lovers
Look elsewhere if
- You're on a tight budget
- You want lively nightlife
- You're driving and want easy parking
Hotels in French Quarter
All French Quarter hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in French Quarter
The French Quarter is the most beautiful place to stay in Charleston. Rainbow Row, the Battery and Waterfront Park are a short walk away, the City Market and the best restaurants are on the doorstep, and boats to Fort Sumter leave from just up the waterfront.
The neighbourhood is the oldest part of the city, and it shows. Gas lamps light cobbled lanes, church steeples rise above the rooftops, and horse-drawn carriages and walking tours pass historic houses with walled gardens. In the evenings, couples head for dinner on East Bay Street.
The downside is the price. The French Quarter's inns are among the most expensive in the South, parking is costly, and the streets are busy with tour groups during the day.
What makes the French Quarter special is how much is on foot. You can walk to the Battery at sunrise, have lunch at the City Market and end the day with dinner and a nightcap a few blocks from your hotel.
Getting around
- Charleston City Market6walk
- Gibbes Museum of Art6walk
- Waterfront Park7walk
- Rainbow Row8walk
- Nathaniel Russell House11walk
- Fort Sumter ferry, Liberty Square12walk
- Charleston International Airport (CHS)25
French Quarter questions
Is French Quarter a good area to stay in Charleston?
Yes, especially for a first visit or a romantic stay. Rainbow Row and the best restaurants are on foot, but rooms are pricey. It suits first-time visitors, couples and history and architecture lovers.
How much does a hotel in French Quarter cost?
A typical double is around $380 a night at a budget hotel, $440 mid-range and $510 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Charleston International Airport (CHS) to French Quarter?
About 25 minutes door to door: taxi or rideshare from the airport.
How far is French Quarter from the main sights?
Door to door from French Quarter: Charleston City Market 6 minutes on foot, Gibbes Museum of Art 6 minutes on foot, Waterfront Park 7 minutes on foot and Rainbow Row 8 minutes on foot.