The easiest Savannah airport to downtown transportation for most visitors is a rideshare or a taxi. The Historic District is about 10 miles, roughly 20 minutes, from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV). Uber and Lyft pick up at the north entrance of baggage claim, and a metered taxi comes to about $31 for one passenger at the City’s maximum rates, before tip. On a budget, CAT’s Route 3 bus costs $1.50 and takes about 36 minutes to the downtown transit center, but it runs roughly hourly on weekdays and only a few times on Sundays. Rent a car at the airport only if you’ll use it beyond downtown.
This guide is for anyone landing at SAV and heading into Savannah’s Historic District. The caveat that matters is timing: rental counters close between 10pm and 12:30am depending on the company, Sunday buses are sparse, and a car you collect at the airport will need paid parking downtown every night. Fares, schedules and pickup points were checked October 1, 2026 against the airport, the City of Savannah and Chatham Area Transit. For getting around once you’ve arrived, see our complete guide to getting around Savannah.
Airport to Downtown Options Compared
| Option | Cost | Time | Where to find it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) | Varies with demand | About 20 minutes | North entrance of baggage claim | Most travelers |
| Taxi | Up to about $31 for one passenger at maximum meter rates, plus $1 per extra passenger and tip | About 20 minutes | Lower level outside baggage claim | Groups, late arrivals, no app |
| CAT Route 3 bus | $1.50; $3 day pass | About 36 minutes to the downtown transit center | CAT stop at the airport | Budget trips on weekday daytimes with light bags |
| Pre-arranged shuttle | Quoted by the operator | About 20 minutes to downtown | Book before you fly | Groups and Hilton Head trips |
| Limo or sedan | Quoted by the operator | About 20 minutes | Book before you fly | Special occasions |
| Rental car | Daily rate plus downtown parking | About 20 minutes, plus parking | Counters in baggage claim | Trips beyond downtown |
Step by Step: From the Gate to the Curb
Savannah’s airport is compact, which makes the first half hour easy if you know where to go.
- Head for baggage claim. Everything on the ground starts there: the rental counters are in the baggage claim hall, taxis wait on the lower level just outside, and the rideshare pickup is at its north entrance.
- Grab a map if you want one. The airport’s visitor center, at 400 Airways Avenue, is open daily from 8:30am to midnight, with maps and brochures for Savannah, Tybee and the Lowcountry.
- Choose your ride. Request a rideshare once you’re at the north entrance, walk out to the taxi rank, go to your rental counter, or meet your pre-booked shuttle or sedan where the company told you to.
- Settle in for about 20 minutes. The route runs south on I-95 and east on I-16, which ends at the western edge of the Historic District.
- Arrive downtown. Have your hotel’s exact address ready; several squares and one-way streets make “the hotel on the square” ambiguous to a driver.
If you need help at any point, travelers who require assistance with ground transportation can call the airport at (912) 964-0514, extension 3357.
Rideshare: The Default for Most Visitors
For one or two travelers arriving in daylight, Uber or Lyft is usually the simplest choice. The airport’s pickup point is at the north entrance of baggage claim, so collect your bags, follow the signs and request the ride once you’re at the curb. The airport says all of its ground transportation, rideshares included, is provided by companies authorized by the Savannah Airport Commission.
Fares rise and fall with demand, so the price you’ll see varies by hour and by day. Expect higher fares around big events, especially St. Patrick’s Day, festival weekends and the Friday-evening rush of arrivals. Your driver can drop you at your hotel’s door, though a few riverfront and inn addresses sit on narrow or cobbled streets, so check your hotel’s arrival instructions before you land. If you’re traveling with young children, bring your own car seats or confirm the service can supply one.
Taxis: Metered, With a Cap
Taxis wait on the lower level outside baggage claim and are available on demand, with no booking needed. Companies serving the airport include Yellow Cab Company, (912) 236-1133, and Chatham Cab, (912) 675-9998. Fares are metered under the City’s maximum rates, which the airport publishes:
| Charge | Maximum rate |
|---|---|
| First 1/6 of a mile | $3.23 |
| Each additional 1/6 of a mile | $0.54 |
| First mile, in total | No more than $6.47 |
| Each mile after the first | No more than $2.69 |
| Each passenger beyond the first | $1 |
| Waiting time | $25 per hour or part of an hour |
| Traffic delays | $0.42 per minute |
Here’s the math for the 10 miles to the Historic District: $6.47 for the first mile plus nine miles at $2.69 comes to about $30.68 for one passenger at the maximum rates, or about $33.68 for four. Traffic delays add to that, and a tip of 15 to 20% is customary. The rates are adjusted every March 1 based on the previous year’s Consumer Price Index, so they creep up over time.
When a taxi beats a rideshare: with three or four passengers, when rideshare prices spike, late at night when fewer drivers are working, or when you simply don’t want to use an app. The fare structure is predictable, which is worth something after a long travel day.
What it costs by group size
Using the airport’s published maximum meter rates for the 10 miles to the Historic District, here’s how the taxi compares with the bus as your group grows. Taxi figures are before traffic delays and tip.
| Travelers | Taxi at maximum rates | Taxi per person | CAT Route 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | About $30.68 | About $30.68 | $1.50 |
| 2 | About $31.68 | About $15.84 | $3 |
| 3 | About $32.68 | About $10.89 | $4.50 |
| 4 | About $33.68 | About $8.42 | $6 |
The bus is always cheapest, but a shared taxi gets close on a per-person basis, takes about half the time and drops you at your door. For a family of four with luggage, the taxi is the sensible choice.
CAT Route 3: The $1.50 Option
Chatham Area Transit’s Route 3, West Chatham, links the airport with the Joe Murray Rivers Jr. Intermodal Transit Center downtown. It’s regular local bus service rather than an airport express, so it makes stops along the way. The fare is $1.50 in cash, a day pass is $3, and the trip takes about 36 minutes. All CAT buses kneel and have ramps.
The catch is frequency. On weekdays, buses come roughly every hour. On Sundays, the posted schedule shows only three trips in each direction, so a Sunday arrival can leave you waiting a long time. CAT adjusted its schedules on August 31, 2026, and listed no Sunday changes for Route 3, but timetables do change, so check CAT’s current schedule before you count on the bus.
The transit center is on the western edge of the Historic District, at Oglethorpe Avenue near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, so many downtown hotels are a manageable walk from there with a roller bag, and the free DOT Express Shuttle covers the district during the day. Our verdict: Route 3 is a good deal for a solo traveler with light luggage arriving on a weekday afternoon, and a poor bet late at night or on a Sunday.
Renting a Car at the Airport
Rental counters are right in baggage claim. The airport lists Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty, with counters opening between 7 and 8am and closing between 10pm and 12:30am, depending on the company. If your flight lands late, check your company’s hours or arrange a later pickup in advance.
The drive downtown is straightforward: from the airport, take I-95 south to I-16 east, which ends in downtown Savannah on the western edge of the Historic District. Allow about 20 minutes outside rush hour.
Then comes the part people forget: parking. City garages downtown charge $1 to $2 an hour, with weekday maximums of $14 to $24 and weekend flat rates of $5 to $10, and many hotels charge separately for parking. If you’ll spend most of your trip downtown, a rental can sit idle at a daily cost, which is why many visitors skip the airport rental and rent only for the days they leave town. Our guide Do You Need a Car in Savannah? works through the math trip by trip.
Travel Times and Traffic
The airport puts the Historic District about 20 minutes away, and outside rush hour that’s realistic for the 10 miles. Leave more room on weekday mornings and late afternoons, when commuter traffic builds on I-95 and I-16, and on big event days downtown. Around St. Patrick’s Day, the City closes off the City Market and River Street areas, so drop-offs near the river get harder and rideshare prices rise. If you’re taking the bus, budget about 36 minutes for Route 3 plus any wait for the next departure, which on a weekday can be most of an hour.
Shuttles, Limos and Sedans
The airport lists several companies that offer pre-arranged shuttles and sedans, and they all need booking before you arrive; they don’t wait at the curb on spec. Shuttle operators listed by the airport include Reliable Shuttle Co., (912) 940-3935, and TLT Smiling Faces Transportation, (912) 272-4054. For limousines and sedans, the airport lists companies such as Above and Beyond Limousine, (912) 236-9114, and Elite Savannah Travel, (912) 403-5483. Prices are quoted by each company, so ask for an all-in fare, including tip and any waiting time, when you book.
Pre-arranged service makes the most sense for groups, for special occasions, and for travelers heading on to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, which the airport also serves.
Do Hotels Run Airport Shuttles?
Some do, particularly hotels near the airport, but don’t assume yours does. Historic District hotels are about 10 miles away, and a free shuttle is the exception rather than the rule downtown. Ask your hotel before you book, and if a shuttle is offered, find out where it picks up and how often it runs, since a once-an-hour shuttle may lose to a rideshare.
Arriving Late or Leaving Early
Night arrivals narrow your choices. Taxis wait on demand outside baggage claim, and rideshares work at most hours, though there are fewer drivers late at night. CAT buses aren’t an option late in the evening, and rental counters close between 10pm and 12:30am. The airport’s visitor center, listed by Visit Savannah, is open daily from 8:30am to midnight if you need maps or advice.
For an early departure, don’t rely on finding a ride at 5am. Book a taxi the night before, or schedule a rideshare in advance, and allow about 20 minutes for the drive plus time for traffic and security. If you’re returning a rental car, check your company’s opening time against your flight; some counters don’t open until 7 or 8am.
Accessibility
Travelers who need help with ground transportation can call the airport at (912) 964-0514, extension 3357, to request assistance. CAT’s Route 3 buses kneel and have ramps, and CAT runs ADA paratransit, CAT Mobility, which says it accepts visitors with documentation of ADA eligibility from their home provider; out-of-town riders call (912) 233-5767, and rides are booked one to seven days ahead. If you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi or rideshare, ask the dispatcher or check the app’s accessible vehicle option before you travel. Downtown, the free DOT Express Shuttle is ADA compliant. Our accessible Savannah travel guide has more.
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Solo or a couple, arriving in daylight | Rideshare |
| A family or group of three or four | Taxi or a larger rideshare; the taxi adds just $1 per extra passenger |
| Tight budget, weekday daytime, light luggage | CAT Route 3 for $1.50 |
| Landing after 10pm | Taxi, or a rideshare if prices are reasonable |
| Sunday arrival | Rideshare or taxi; the bus runs only a few times |
| Staying outside downtown, or planning day trips | Rental car |
| Wedding party, big group or Hilton Head bound | Pre-arranged shuttle or sedan |
Tipping and Payment
Tip taxi drivers about 15 to 20% of the fare, a little more if they handle heavy bags. For rideshares, you can tip in the app after the trip. Before you set off in a taxi, confirm how you’ll pay, especially if you’re relying on a card. For pre-arranged shuttles and sedans, ask whether the quoted price includes gratuity so you don’t tip twice. On CAT’s Route 3, have exact cash ready for the $1.50 fare.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming your hotel has a shuttle. Most downtown hotels don’t; ask before you land.
- Counting on the bus on a Sunday or late at night. Route 3 runs only a few times on Sundays and not late in the evening.
- Renting a car for a downtown-only trip. It will spend most of the stay in a paid garage.
- Landing late without checking the rental counter. Counters close between 10pm and 12:30am, depending on the company.
- Forgetting car seats. Rideshares and taxis don’t reliably supply them.
- Arriving on St. Patrick’s weekend without a plan. Book your ride in advance and expect road closures near the river.
Luggage, Strollers and Pets
What you’re carrying can decide the ride. Route 3 is manageable with a carry-on and a backpack, but large suitcases on a local bus with stops are hard work, and the walk from the transit center to your hotel may cross brick sidewalks and curbs. With big bags, strollers or golf clubs, a taxi or a larger rideshare is the easier choice, and the extra-passenger charge on a taxi is only $1 a head. If you’re traveling with a pet, tell the taxi company or check your rideshare app’s pet policy before you book. Once you’re downtown, the free Belles Ferry carries bikes, luggage and leashed dogs across the river.
Arriving Downtown
Once you’re in the Historic District, you won’t need wheels much. The district is flat and about a mile from the river to Forsyth Park, the free DOT Express Shuttle runs two loops about every 10 minutes during the day, and the free Belles Ferry crosses the river. If you’re still choosing a hotel, our guide to the best area to stay in Savannah for first-time visitors explains which blocks make the easiest base, and our two-day Savannah itinerary picks up from there.
Heading to the Convention Center or Hutchinson Island
The Savannah Convention Center and the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa sit on Hutchinson Island, across the river from downtown. From the airport, a taxi or rideshare can take you straight there, without going through the Historic District. Once you’re on the island, the free Savannah Belles Ferry links the Westin and Convention Center landing with City Hall on the downtown riverfront, daily from 7am to 10pm, so a conference stay doesn’t need a car either. After 10pm, getting back across the river means a taxi or rideshare over the Talmadge Bridge.
Staying Near the Airport or in Pooler
Chain hotels cluster near the airport and in Pooler, off I-95, and they’re often cheaper than downtown, with free parking. The trade-off is that every visit to the Historic District becomes a 20-minute drive or ride each way, plus downtown parking if you drive. For a short leisure trip, that cancels out much of the saving; for a very early flight or a road trip passing through, it can make sense. Our guide to the best places to stay in Savannah compares the areas.
Going On to Tybee Island or Hilton Head
Tybee Island is about 18 miles east of downtown, so from the airport it’s a longer ride than the trip into the Historic District, and no public bus runs there. A rideshare, a taxi or a rental car are the realistic options. Our Tybee Island and Savannah beaches guide covers the island. For Hilton Head Island, across the state line in South Carolina, a rental car or a pre-arranged shuttle is the usual choice.
Getting Back to the Airport
The return trip is the same set of choices in reverse, with one difference: timing matters more. Rideshares and taxis can pick you up at your hotel; for an early flight, book the taxi the night before or schedule the rideshare in advance. Route 3 leaves from the Joe Murray Rivers Jr. Intermodal Transit Center downtown, but check the schedule closely, since a missed bus can mean an hour’s wait on a weekday and much longer on a Sunday. If you’re returning a rental car, refuel near the airport and check the counter’s opening time if you’re flying out first thing. Allow about 20 minutes for the drive, plus time for traffic.
Savannah Airport to Downtown FAQ
How far is the Savannah airport from downtown?
About 10 miles. The airport says the Historic District is roughly 20 minutes from the terminal by car, and the route is simple: I-95 south to I-16 east, which ends downtown. Allow extra time at rush hour and on big event weekends, and about 36 minutes if you take CAT’s Route 3 bus to the downtown transit center.
How much is a taxi from the Savannah airport to downtown?
At the City’s maximum meter rates, about $31 for one passenger to the Historic District: $6.47 for the first mile and $2.69 for each of the next nine. Each extra passenger adds $1, traffic delays add $0.42 a minute, and a tip of 15 to 20% is customary. Rates are adjusted every March 1.
Is there a bus from the Savannah airport to downtown?
Yes. CAT’s Route 3, West Chatham, runs between the airport and the Joe Murray Rivers Jr. Intermodal Transit Center downtown for $1.50, taking about 36 minutes. It’s a local route rather than an express, running roughly hourly on weekdays and only a few times on Sundays, so check the current schedule before you rely on it.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at the Savannah airport?
At the north entrance of baggage claim. Collect your bags, follow the signs to the pickup area and request your ride from the curb. Taxis wait separately, on the lower level outside baggage claim. Rideshare prices vary with demand, so compare with the taxi’s metered fare, about $31 for one passenger to the Historic District, when prices spike.
Should I rent a car at the Savannah airport?
Only if you’ll use it outside downtown. The Historic District is walkable and served by a free shuttle and ferry, and downtown garages charge up to $14 to $24 a weekday, so a rental can cost more parked than it saves. If you plan day trips or are staying outside downtown, the nine rental counters in baggage claim make pickup easy.
What if my flight lands late at night?
Take a taxi from the rank outside baggage claim or a rideshare. CAT buses don’t run late, and rental counters close between 10pm and 12:30am depending on the company, so if you’ve reserved a car, confirm the counter’s hours or arrange after-hours pickup. The airport’s visitor center stays open until midnight if you need help.
How long does it take to get from the Savannah airport to River Street?
About 20 minutes by rideshare, taxi or car outside rush hour, since River Street sits at the northern edge of the Historic District, about 10 miles from the airport. By CAT’s Route 3, allow about 36 minutes to the downtown transit center, then a walk of several blocks or a ride on the free DOT shuttle to the riverfront.
Related Savannah Guides
- Getting Around Savannah and Parking: everything once you’re in town
- Do You Need a Car in Savannah?: whether to rent at the airport at all
- Best Area to Stay in Savannah for First-Time Visitors: where to point your ride
- Two Days in Savannah Itinerary: what to do once you’ve landed
- Accessible and Inclusive Savannah: assistance and accessible transport
Sources and How We Checked
Fares, schedules, pickup points and rental hours were checked on October 1, 2026. This guide is compiled from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, the City of Savannah’s taxi rate system as published by the airport, Chatham Area Transit and Visit Savannah, not from other travel guides or transfer sellers, and we don’t claim first-hand trips. Fares and schedules change, so confirm before you travel.
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport: ground transportation, rideshare and rental cars; taxi rate system; surrounding area
- Chatham Area Transit: current schedules; August 2026 service changes; fares and passes; accessibility; paratransit; DOT Express Shuttle
- City of Savannah: parking garages
- Visit Savannah: visitor information centers
- Visit Tybee: getting here
Savannah Tourism Guide is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with Visit Savannah, the City of Savannah, the airport or any company listed here, and no one paid to be included.
Photo Credits
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport from the air: photo by User:Mavin 101, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
- I-95 and I-16 junction signs: photo by User:MPD01605, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Parking garage, Liberty and Whitaker streets: photo by Myotus, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
- Savannah City Hall dome: photo by Billy Hathorn, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)