By air, North Carolina offers both Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT), 6 mi/10 km west of Charlotte, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), 12 mi/20 km northwest of Raleigh.

Major rental car companies maintain branches at both airports. Regional airports are located in Asheville, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Wilmington.

The Carolinian (New York City-Charlotte) stops in Rocky Mount, Wilson, Selma-Smithfield, Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, Kanapolis and Charlotte.

The Piedmont runs only between Raleigh and Charlotte. The Silver Star/Silver Meteor/Silver Palm routes (Boston-Miami) stop in Rocky Mount, Raleigh, Southern Pines and Hamlet, though some trains make fewer stops along this line.

Farther west, the Crescent (New York City-New Orleans) stops in Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, Charlotte and Gastonia.

Greyhound provides bus service between cities in North Carolina and to points outside the state.

South Carolina has four airports -- Charleston International Airport (CHS), Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP), Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR).

Commuter lines link smaller towns and cities within the state. Some hotels provide shuttle service from the airports, and major car-rental agencies staff branches at the terminals.

Amtrak connects South Carolina with the rest of the eastern seaboard.

Greyhound provides coach service to cities within the state and to points outside the state.

We think the best way to see the state is by rental car or bus tour. If time permits, stay off the interstates: South Carolina's beauty is best appreciated on its two-lane roads.