Charlotte has a humid subtropical climate, characterised by hot,
humid summers and mild winters. Charlotte is a rainy city, with
rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year, but it still gets
plenty of sun.
In summer, between June and August, temperatures average between
64°F (18°C) and 89°F (32°C); and in winter, between December and
February, temperatures average between 30°F (-1°C) and 54°F (12°C).
Some snow falls in winter, but it's seldom heavy and only occurs on
a handful of days a year.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Location: The airport is situated eight miles (13km) west of
Charlotte, near the border between North and South
Carolina.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Getting to the city:
The CATS airport bus ferries passengers to the city centre.
Buses leave every 20 minutes during weekdays, and every 30 minutes
at night and on weekends. Courtesy shuttles are available for many
local hotels and motels. Taxis and rental cars are also available,
as are ride-hailing apps like Lyft and Uber.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies include National, Alamo, Avis, Budget,
Dollar, Advantage, Enterprise, and Hertz.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available from outside the terminal and cost
approximately $25 to the city centre.
Facilities:
Airport facilities are extensive and include ATMs, bureaux de
change, restaurants, bars, shops, duty-free shopping, a post
office, and a tourist information desk. Facilities for the disabled
are good.
Parking
Daily, hourly, and long-term remote parking is available, while
valet parking is also an option. Complimentary shuttle buses
transport passengers between parking lots and the terminal
building. Parking is free for the first 30 minutes in the hourly
car park and costs $1 per half hour, up to a daily maximum of $20.
Long-term parking costs $7 per day.
Public transport is comprehensive in Charlotte, including light
rail, bus, and trolley services. The LYNX Blue Line Light Rail
connects southern Charlotte with museums, shopping, and
entertainment venues in the city centre. It operates every day
between 5.30am and 1.30am, stopping at 26 stations.
The Sprinter Bus services the airport and city centre every
weekday, one-way tickets costing $2.20.
The CATS bus service operates more than 40 countywide fixed bus
routes, costing $2.20. Taxis are also available in Charlotte.
Despite all this public transport, many visitors still prefer to
hire cars.