Savannah
Savannah airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
There is no train from Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) to the city centre. Take a taxi or ride-hailing car, about 20–25 minutes and US$25–40, or a hotel shuttle if yours runs one; the public bus is cheap but slow and needs a transfer. Choose the bus only if you are travelling light in daylight.
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GuideSavannah
Key facts
- Airportcheck
- Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV), about 13 km / 8 mi northwest of the historic district
- Rail link
- None; no train or light rail serves SAV
- Taxi / ride-hailingcheck
- 20–25 min, US$25–40 to the historic district (2026 estimate)
- Public bus
- Cheap fare, but slow with a transfer downtown; daytime only
- Hotel shuttle
- Some historic-district hotels run shuttles or arrange pickups; ask before booking
- Tipping
- 15–20% on taxi and ride-hailing, added in the app
- Best for most visitors
- Ride-hailing or taxi; the airport is close and the fare is modest
Options at a glance
Savannah's airport sits close to the city, so the transfer is short and the decision is mostly about cost versus convenience rather than distance. There is no rail option. Ride-hailing and taxis cover the trip in about 20–25 minutes outside peak traffic; the public bus costs a fraction of that but adds a transfer and only works in daylight.
Fares below are 2026 estimates for one person unless noted. Traffic on I-16 and Bay Street can add 10–15 minutes at rush hour, and ride-hailing prices rise with demand.
| Option | Time to city centre | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft) | 20–25 min | US$25–40 | Most visitors; door to door |
| Taxi | 20–25 min | US$25–40 plus tip | Arrivals without a working phone or app |
| Hotel shuttle | 20–30 min | Free to US$20 | Guests of hotels that run one |
| Public bus | 45–70 min | A few dollars | Light packers, daylight, tight budget |
| Rental car | 20–25 min | US$45–110 a day plus fees | Trips onward to Tybee Island or Jekyll Island |
The detail
Ride-hailing is the default. Pickup zones at SAV are signposted outside baggage claim; follow the app's instructions rather than hailing a car at the kerb. Fares to the historic district typically land in the US$25–40 band, with surge pricing at peak arrival times. Taxis wait at a rank outside the terminal and charge broadly similar amounts; confirm the fare or that the meter is running before you get in.
The public bus is the cheapest way in but the least convenient. Routes from the airport area run into downtown with a transfer, take roughly 45–70 minutes and are not a good choice after dark or with heavy bags. Check the current timetable and fare with Chatham Area Transit before relying on it.
Some hotels in the historic district run their own shuttles or arrange a pickup; ask when you book, since this is the cheapest comfortable option when it exists. If you are continuing to Tybee Island or Jekyll Island, a rental car is usually the better buy than repeated transfers.
What it costs
Budget US$25–40 each way for a taxi or ride-hailing car to the historic district, plus 15–20% tip. A family or group of four pays roughly the same in one car, which makes ride-hailing cheaper per person than almost anything else. The bus is a few dollars. Parking at downtown hotels is often US$25–40 a night, so a car you do not need is a cost, not a saving.
| Item | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|
| Ride-hailing, airport to historic district | US$25–40 |
| Taxi, same trip | US$25–40 plus tip |
| Public bus fare | A few dollars |
| Hotel shuttle | Free to US$20 |
| Downtown hotel parking per night | US$25–40 |
Tips
- Land before 22:00 if you can; bus service thins out and ride-hailing queues lengthen on late arrivals.
- Save your hotel's address offline — some drivers know the street name but not the property.
- If you are heading to Tybee Island, price a rental car against two ride-hailing trips before deciding.
- Check whether your hotel runs a shuttle before you book a car; it is the cheapest comfortable option when it exists.
- Keep small notes for tips; card readers in taxis work but the app is simpler.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Savannah airport to the city centre?
Take a taxi or ride-hailing car: about 20–25 minutes and US$25–40 to the historic district. There is no train. A hotel shuttle is cheaper if your hotel runs one, and the public bus is cheapest but slow with a transfer.
How much is a taxi from Savannah airport?
Expect roughly US$25–40 to the historic district in 2026, plus a 15–20% tip. Ride-hailing lands in the same band and rises with demand at peak times. Confirm the fare before you get in.
Is there a train from Savannah airport?
No. SAV has no rail or light rail link to the city. Your realistic choices are taxi, ride-hailing, a hotel shuttle or the public bus. Amtrak serves Savannah's station, but that is for travel between cities, not the airport.
Is the public bus from Savannah airport worth it?
Only if you are travelling light in daylight. It costs a few dollars but takes roughly 45–70 minutes with a transfer downtown, and service is thin in the evening. Check the current timetable and fare with Chatham Area Transit first.
Should I rent a car at Savannah airport?
Only if you are leaving the city — Tybee Island, Jekyll Island or the wider Georgia coast. Downtown Savannah is walkable and parking runs about US$25–40 a night, so a car you do not use is a cost.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialSavannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
- officialChatham Area Transit (CAT)
- officialVisit Savannah
- officialAmtrak – Savannah station
- secondaryWikivoyage – Savannah