Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Environment - Non Weather Related; Chart Or Publication; Airport; Human Factors
Taxied out of our CLT ramp to runway 18L; and the ATC instructions were 'Taxi via Alpha; join taxiway Charlie; hold short of Runway 23.' Reference CLT Taxi Diagram; page 10-9. Previously the First Officer and I had discussed the intersection in question between Alpha and Charlie; noted that it was a runway incursion hot spot (HS1); noted that there were some 'islands' along the taxiways; and that from the diagram it was hard to tell on which side of the island was taxiway Alpha located.While taxiing on Alpha; thinking that the first 'island' encountered was that island that seemed to split Alpha in two; I turned the airplane onto taxiway Golf and quickly realized we had made a wrong turn. ATC told us to hold our position because the area ahead of us was under construction. We attempted a 180 thinking we had enough room for the turn but soon realized we didn't have the space for the turn so we stopped the maneuver before getting stuck sideways. About 5 minutes later ATC was able to provide a 'follow me' vehicle that got us through the construction site (which was clear) and to taxiway Charlie towards Runway 18L.I blame the event on my unfamiliarity with the field and poorly lit taxiway signs; a poorly depicted diagram; but specially my failure to cross check and ask ATC when I wasn't 100% sure of my taxi route. Using the ground position feature and the clearer picture of the iPad would have helped understand the cleared taxi route.
Air carrier Captain reported mistakenly turning onto Taxiway Golf from Alpha towards a construction area during night operations.