Where to Stay in Savannah Without a Car
Savannah is one of America's most walkable cities — and you genuinely don't need a car to have a great trip. Here's where to stay and how to get around car-free.
Where to Stay in Savannah Without a Car
Savannah is one of the most walkable cities in America — and the Historic District, where most visitors spend their time, is compact enough that a car is genuinely unnecessary for a typical trip. In fact, a car can be more hindrance than help: parking is expensive, the cobblestone streets are narrow, and the best way to experience the city is on foot.
Here's where to stay in Savannah if you're visiting without a car, and how to get around once you arrive.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Savannah Unveiled may earn a commission when you complete a qualifying booking, at no additional cost to you. Hotel links on this page are Expedia affiliate links.
Book a Central Historic District Hotel
The key to a successful car-free Savannah trip is staying in the heart of the Historic District. From a central location, you can walk to virtually every major attraction, restaurant, and bar in the city.
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Why You Don't Need a Car in Savannah
The Historic District is compact. The entire Historic District is about 2.5 square miles. From a central hotel, you can walk to the squares, Forsyth Park, River Street, and most top restaurants in 15–20 minutes.
The attractions are walkable. Savannah's top attractions — the squares, Forsyth Park, the Cathedral, the Mercer Williams House, River Street — are all within easy walking distance of each other.
Rideshares are readily available. Uber and Lyft operate throughout Savannah. For destinations outside the Historic District (Bonaventure Cemetery, Tybee Island, Skidaway Island), a rideshare is easy and affordable.
The DOT Shuttle is free. The City of Savannah operates a free shuttle (the DOT) that connects the Historic District, the Visitor Center, and other key locations. It's a convenient option for getting around without walking.
Parking is expensive and stressful. Valet parking at Historic District hotels runs $30–$45 per night. Street parking is metered and competitive. Avoiding a car eliminates this cost and stress entirely.
Best Hotels for Car-Free Savannah Visits
Any Central Historic District Hotel
The most important factor for a car-free visit is location. Any hotel in the central Historic District — within a few blocks of the squares — gives you the walkability you need.
What to look for: Use Expedia's map view to find hotels close to the central squares (Chippewa, Madison, Monterey). The closer to the center, the more walkable your stay.
Search Central Historic District Hotels on Expedia →
Specific Recommendations
Perry Lane Hotel — Central Historic District location, steps from the squares. Walk to everything.
Brice Hotel (Kimpton) — Eastern Historic District, close to the squares and Forsyth Park.
Hyatt Regency Savannah — Riverfront location, steps from River Street and a short walk to the squares.
The Mansion on Forsyth Park — Southern Historic District, directly on Forsyth Park. Walk to the squares and the Victorian District.
Compare All Central Savannah Hotels on Expedia →
Getting Around Savannah Without a Car
Walking
The best way to experience Savannah. The Historic District's grid of streets and squares is easy to navigate, and the distances are short. A comfortable pair of shoes is your most important piece of equipment.
Note: Savannah's cobblestone streets are beautiful but uneven. Wear shoes with good support.
The Free DOT Shuttle
The City of Savannah operates a free shuttle service (the Downtown Connector, or DOT) that runs through the Historic District and connects to the Savannah Visitor Center. It's a convenient option for getting around without walking, especially in hot weather.
Rideshares
Uber and Lyft are readily available in Savannah. For destinations outside the Historic District — Bonaventure Cemetery (about $15 each way), Tybee Island (about $30–40 each way), or the airport (about $25–35) — a rideshare is the easiest option.
Bike Rentals
Several bike rental shops in the Historic District offer hourly and daily rentals. Cycling is a great way to cover more ground than walking while still experiencing the city at a human pace.
The Old Town Trolley
The Old Town Trolley offers hop-on, hop-off service to Savannah's major attractions. It's a convenient way to get oriented on your first day and cover attractions that are slightly farther from the center.
What You Might Miss Without a Car
A car-free Savannah trip is entirely satisfying for most visitors, but there are a few destinations that are harder to reach without one:
Tybee Island — 18 miles from downtown. A rideshare runs about $30–40 each way. Doable, but adds up over a day trip.
Bonaventure Cemetery — About 5 miles from downtown. A rideshare runs about $15 each way. Easy and affordable.
Skidaway Island State Park — About 15 miles from downtown. A rideshare is the best option.
Wormsloe Historic Site — About 10 miles from downtown. A rideshare is the best option.
For most visitors, these destinations are worth the rideshare cost. The savings on parking more than cover the rideshare fares.
Arriving in Savannah Without a Car
By train: Savannah is served by Amtrak (the Palmetto and Silver Meteor routes). The Savannah Amtrak station is about 3 miles from the Historic District — a short rideshare away.
By bus: Greyhound and other bus lines serve Savannah. The bus station is near the Historic District.
By plane: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 15 miles from the Historic District. A rideshare runs about $25–35. Read our airport transfer guide →
Book Your Car-Free Savannah Hotel
A central Historic District hotel is the foundation of a great car-free Savannah trip. Compare current rates and availability before your visit.
Check Savannah Hotel Prices on Expedia →
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