The grid-shaped Historic District is best seen on foot—the real point of your visit is to take leisurely strolls with frequent stops in the many squares. Parking garages and lots in the city center are plentiful but do fill up at peak times. The most central are the River Street Lots (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, $1/hr.), the Bryan St. Garage ($1/hr.; $2 overnight; Sat–Sun $5) with entrances on Drayton and Abercorn streets, and the Whitaker St. Garage ($2/hr., max. daily rate $16) at 7 Whitaker St. Visit www.savannahga.gov for the latest rates.
By Car -- Outside the Historic District your own wheels will be much more convenient, and they’re absolutely essential for sightseeing outside the city proper.
All major car-rental firms have branches in Savannah and at the airport, including Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131 or 912/964-9595 at the airport; www.hertz.com); Avis (tel. 800/331-1212; www.avis.com), with locations at 422 Airways Ave. (tel. 912/964-1781) and at the airport (tel. 912/964-0234); and Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; www.budget.com), with offices at 7070 Abercorn St. (tel. 912/966-1771) and the airport (tel. 912/354-4718).
By Bus -- Chatham Area Transit (CAT) runs the city bus network. You’ll need exact change for the $1.50 fare; transfers are free. The central bus station is the Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center, 610 W. Oglethorpe Ave., where you can buy passes Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm. Day passes are $3, 7-day passes are $16, and a 10-ride pass is $15. Bus #4 runs out to the Oglethorpe Mall, while bus #20 runs to Skidway Island State Park, though if you intend to stay in the Historic District you won’t need to use regular buses much. More useful are the CAT-operated free shuttles. Park your car in the Liberty St. Parking Garage (Mon–Fri only; $1/hr.), and take the free Liberty St. Parking Shuttle to Bryan Street (Mon–Fri 6:20–9:10am and 3:40–6:20pm). Otherwise the extremely useful “dot” Express Shuttle (Mon–Sat 7am–9pm, Sun 11am–9pm; free) runs all over downtown every 20 minutes or less, passing the Visitor Center, Forsyth Park, and a number of parking garages. The River St. Streetcar (Fri–Sun noon–9pm; free), an authentic 1930s trolley, runs along the Savannah River waterfront, from Morrell Park to the western end of the strip, though it is sometimes suspended for maintenance. For route and schedule information, call CAT at tel. 912/233-5767 or visit www.catchacat.org.
By Ferry -- The Savannah Belles Ferry runs from River Street at City Hall (Hyatt Hotel), across to Hutchinson Island, the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, and the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort & Spa. The service is free, and runs daily 7am to midnight, every 20 to 30 minutes (no service Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).
By Taxi -- The base rate for taxis is $2, plus 32[ce] per 1/6 mile thereafter, not to exceed $3.60 for the first mile and $1.92 per mile thereafter. For 24-hour taxi service, call Yellow Cab at tel. 912/604-9845 (www.yellowcabofsavannah.com).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
