Travel tips · Savannah · United States
Savannah travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Seasider53, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Savannah is easygoing and eccentric, a city of old families, art students and ghost stories. The Savannah College of Art and Design has filled many historic buildings with studios and galleries, Black history runs from some of the oldest African American congregations in the country to the civil rights movement, and the Gullah Geechee heritage of the coast is visible at Pin Point and in local food.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Greet people on the street and in shops; Savannahians are friendly and expect a 'hello'.
- Houses on the squares are private homes; admire from the pavement and do not sit on stoops.
- Dress respectfully and keep quiet in working churches such as the cathedral and First African Baptist.
- Keep to-go drinks within the permitted downtown area and in plastic cups.
- On St. Patrick's Day weekend, book everything early and expect road closures and very large crowds.
- Use the free downtown shuttle and the free Savannah Belles Ferry instead of taxis.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis, pedicabs and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per person for walking and ghost-tour guides.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Haint blue | Pale blue paint used on porch ceilings, traditionally to ward off spirits |
| Go cup | A plastic cup for carrying a drink in the historic district |
| Tabby | Coastal building material of lime, sand and oyster shells |
| The Hostess City | Savannah's long-standing nickname |
What to wear
Light clothing and a hat for the humid summers; comfortable shoes for uneven pavements, cobbles and the steep stairs to River Street.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés and some public squares; US prepaid SIMs and eSIMs work throughout the area.
- Time zone
- America/New York
The historic district is generally comfortable to walk, but use normal city precautions at night, keep to busier streets and lock valuables out of sight in cars. Summer heat and humidity are a real risk on long walks, and Tybee has rip currents and strong tidal flows near the river mouth. Follow official guidance during hurricane season.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Savannah?
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis, pedicabs and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per person for walking and ghost-tour guides.
+Can you drink the tap water in Savannah?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Savannah?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Savannah?
English.