Getting around · Savannah · United States
Getting around Savannah
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The historic district is a flat grid about 2 km from the river to Forsyth Park, best explored on foot. A free downtown shuttle and the free Savannah Belles Ferry cover longer hops, while Bonaventure, Wormsloe, Fort Pulaski and Tybee need a car, bike or tour. No for the historic district, where walking, the free shuttle and the ferry cover everything.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- SAV
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Telfair Museums combination ticket
Ways to get around
Walking
Walking is how to see Savannah: every few blocks opens onto another square, and most sights are within 25 minutes of each other.
The stairs between Bay Street and River Street are very steep; use the ramps or elevators at hotels if you have heavy bags or a stroller.
Bus
Chatham Area Transit runs city buses and a free downtown shuttle that loops the historic district, linking the visitor centre, City Market and Forsyth Park area.
Ferry
The free Savannah Belles Ferry crosses the river between River Street and Hutchinson Island every few minutes during the day and evening.
Ride-hailing
Uber, Lyft and pedicabs are easy downtown; ride-hailing is the usual way to reach Bonaventure or the airport without a car.
Car
A car helps for Tybee, Wormsloe and day trips, but downtown parking is metered or in city garages.
City garages are usually cheaper than hotel valet parking; check meter rules before leaving the car.
Cycling
The flat grid suits cycling; bike-rental shops and hotel loaner bikes are common, though squares force frequent turns.
Tickets and passes
Telfair Museums combination ticket
Covers the Telfair Academy, Jepson Center and Owens–Thomas House over several days.
From the airport
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 15 km northwest of downtown, roughly 20 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing. Many visitors to Hilton Head also fly into SAV.
Do you need a car?
No for the historic district, where walking, the free shuttle and the ferry cover everything. Rent one for a day for Tybee Island, Wormsloe, Fort Pulaski and coastal day trips, or use tours and ride-hailing.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island | About 1 hour by car | Car via US-278 |
| Beaufort, South Carolina | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via US-17 and US-21 |
| Charleston | About 2 hours by car | Car via I-95 and US-17, or Amtrak |
| Jekyll Island | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car via I-95 |
| Cumberland Island | About 2 hours by car plus a 45-minute ferry | Car to St. Marys, then the National Park Service ferry |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Savannah?
No for the historic district, where walking, the free shuttle and the ferry cover everything. Rent one for a day for Tybee Island, Wormsloe, Fort Pulaski and coastal day trips, or use tours and ride-hailing.
+How do you get from the airport to Savannah?
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 15 km northwest of downtown, roughly 20 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing. Many visitors to Hilton Head also fly into SAV.
+What is the best way to get around Savannah?
Walking: Walking is how to see Savannah: every few blocks opens onto another square, and most sights are within 25 minutes of each other.