Money-Saving Myrtle Beach Travel Tips
Money-Saving Myrtle Beach Travel Tips
None of these nine tips require any special local knowledge, just a bit of planning before you land or drive in. Get them right and you’ll spend less, wait in fewer lines, and avoid the mistakes first-timers make most often.
1. Rent a car, or bring one
The Grand Strand runs about 60 miles of car-oriented sprawl, and a car is close to essential. Coast RTA’s roughly hourly bus routes cover the core but not day trips. There are two parallel US-17s: Business 17 (Kings Hwy), older and stoplight-heavy near the ocean, and the Bypass, which also gets congested; in summer, the SC-31 Carolina Bays Parkway is the traffic-relief route worth using instead.
2. Budget for the meal tax
A restaurant meal inside Myrtle Beach city limits carries roughly an 11.5% combined state, local, and hospitality tax, about 10.5% in unincorporated Horry County just outside it. Tack that onto every bill before you order, not after.
3. Learn the beach flag system before you swim
Green means calm, yellow means medium risk, a single red flag means don’t swim, double red closes the water entirely, and blue means marine life has been spotted. Rip currents are the real hazard here, so swim near a lifeguard and check the flag every time you head down.
4. Know the seasonal beach rules
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, only circular umbrellas 7.5 ft or under are allowed on the beach; tents and canopies are banned to keep lifeguard sightlines clear. Alcohol and glass are banned on the sand year-round across the entire Strand, not just in summer.
5. Don’t leave valuables visible in the car
Car break-ins at beach parking lots are a known risk at the busiest access points. Keep anything worth taking out of sight, no matter how long you’re parked.
6. Book ahead for summer shows and headline attractions
Carolina Opry, Alabama Theatre, and Pirates Voyage all sell out their prime slots during peak season, June through August. Ripley’s Aquarium and the SkyWheel also build long walk-up lines once the tour buses arrive, so buy tickets online a few days ahead if you’re visiting in summer.
7. Keep an eye on the hurricane forecast
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, peaking mid-August to mid-October. It’s not a reason to avoid booking, just a reason to check the forecast before you lock in non-refundable plans.
8. Fly into MYR, but check your airline first
Myrtle Beach International Airport is served by Allegiant, Breeze, and Southwest, the busiest carriers, plus Delta from Atlanta and American from Dallas-Fort Worth. Spirit exited MYR in May 2026, so don’t plan a trip around it being an option.
9. Tip the way you would anywhere else in the US
Standard US tipping applies: 15-20% at restaurants and bars, and a few dollars a day for housekeeping if you’re staying somewhere with daily service.
Read more: the main Myrtle Beach budget guide has the full cost-by-cost breakdown these tips support, and the things to do guide ranks the attractions worth booking ahead.