โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Grand Strand Airport (CRE/KCRE) is a prominent public-use general aviation facility located in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Serving the heart of the world-famous Grand Strand resort area, the airport is a popular hub for private pilots, corporate travelers, and vacationers visiting the region's many golf courses and beaches. It plays a vital role in the regional aviation network, providing a convenient and accessible alternative to the busier Myrtle Beach International Airport for private and executive flight operations.
The terminal building is a functional and well-maintained facility that serves as the airport's administrative and pilot services center. Inside, visitors will find a welcoming lobby area, a pilot's lounge with comfortable seating, and clean restroom facilities. Although the airport does not support scheduled commercial airline service, the terminal is designed to handle the needs of transient aviators and their passengers with high efficiency. Amenities at CRE include high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building and a selection of local information materials to assist visitors in exploring the nearby attractions, including the North Myrtle Beach park and sports complex.
Operational capacity at Grand Strand Airport is supported by a single paved runway (05/23) measuring approximately 5,997 feet in length, which is capable of handling a wide range of light and medium-sized general aviation aircraft and corporate jets. Navigation through the terminal is exceptionally easy due to its compact and logical layout. For ground transportation, the airport is located within a very short drive of numerous local restaurants, hotels, and retail centers, with taxi and ride-share services readily available to transport passengers to the nearby beach resorts and golf destinations.
๐ Connection Tips
Grand Strand Airport (CRE) is a private-aviation and general-aviation access point for North Myrtle Beach, not a scheduled-airline airport. That means any connection through it is really a handoff from private aircraft to local ground transport, a resort, or another airport rather than a normal airline transfer. The airport is valuable because it is close to golf, beach, and resort areas, but it does not provide a public-airline network that can absorb mistakes in the itinerary.
For travelers who need commercial service, Myrtle Beach International or another larger airport is the real gateway. CRE works best when the destination is local and the ground movement is short. It works less well if the plan assumes a same-day private-to-airline transfer without a properly arranged car, because the airport's convenience disappears quickly once the next segment depends on surface timing rather than runway access.
Use CRE as a destination access field. Confirm the pickup or rental arrangement before landing, and if your itinerary later depends on a commercial departure elsewhere, treat that road leg as a full segment with its own buffer. The airport is comfortable and well positioned, but its role is local access for general aviation, not resilient airline connectivity.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
International โ Domestic
75
minutes
International โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is the primary international airport serving New Mexico, located just three miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. The airport boasts a distinctive Pueblo-style architectural terminal, which is both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. This single, multi-level terminal efficiently manages all arrivals and departures, featuring a logical layout designed for passenger convenience. The lower level is dedicated to arriving passengers, housing baggage claim areas (three in total to serve Concourses A and B) and providing direct exits to ground transportation.
The upper level of the terminal is the departure zone, where travelers will find airline ticketing counters, security checkpoints, and access to the two main concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B. Concourse A primarily serves American Airlines, Delta, and United, while Southwest Airlines predominantly operates out of Concourse B. The terminal has a total of 22 gates, ensuring ample capacity for its scheduled domestic flights and limited international services. Recent upgrades include a TSA Checkpoint Terminal Connector Project, which has enhanced security screening with up to four lanes and modern passenger amenities like new escalators and elevators.
Amenities at ABQ are comprehensive for a regional international facility. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, numerous charging stations, a variety of shops (including those offering local artisanal gifts), and diverse dining options ranging from cafes and fast-food outlets to restaurants serving New Mexican cuisine. Additional facilities like a Meditation Room and an observation deck contribute to a comfortable travel experience, complemented by a notable art collection displayed throughout the terminal.
๐ Connection Tips
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) offers excellent ground transportation connectivity just 3 miles southeast of downtown. ABQ RIDE provides completely free bus service (fare-free since November 2023) with Route 50 connecting the airport to downtown via Union Square Bus Station every 15-30 minutes, taking just 24 minutes total - the bus stop is conveniently located on the lower level at the west end of the shuttle island. Route 50 also connects to the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown where passengers can transfer to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Rail Runner connections are enhanced through Route 350 (Railrunner Connecting bus) and free bus transfers when you have a valid Rail Runner ticket purchased in advance online or via mobile app - otherwise pay the driver a $1 fare each way. Official taxi service is available with fares starting at $35 to downtown Albuquerque through companies like ABQ Metro Taxi (505-450-8580) and Aspen Rides (505-388-3692). Ride-sharing via Uber and Lyft requires pre-booking as street hailing is not permitted.
For Santa Fe destinations, Groome Transportation operates 30 daily trips taking 75 minutes with variable pricing, while RoadRunner Charter provides door-to-door service to Santa Fe and Los Alamos areas. The Rail Runner Express connects Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Belen with convenient airport shuttle connections. Recent December 2025 improvements under the ABQ RIDE Forward Network Plan enhanced transit connectivity throughout the metropolitan area.
โ Back to Grand Strand Airport