Savannah: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

Tenants in the Historic District walk between shaded public squares for daily errands, trading simple car parking for fare-free downtown shuttles.

Savannah, Georgia · CC BY-SA 4.0

About the place

Now in the citySavannah+23°CClear · sunset 05:33 PMupdated 09:21 AM

EntryPick a passportThe answer depends on the passport.

Places on the map6

Exchange rate$1.00per 1 $USD — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

Language on siteEnglish

What fits initineraries

1 day: Historic District, River Street, Forsyth Park
3 days: + Madison Square, Chippewa Square, Hutchinson Island
7 days: + Lincoln Street, Washington Avenue, Thunderbolt

Updated September 9, 2026

About the place

Savannah pairs an intact historic urban grid with active maritime shipping and art college security patrols.

The Historic District functions around pedestrian squares bounded by the riverfront and Forsyth Park. Chatham Area Transit operates fare-free shuttles through this central grid, paired with a complimentary passenger ferry crossing to Hutchinson Island. Flat streets make cycling practical despite sparse dedicated lanes. Downtown metered parking fills rapidly before midday on weekends, driving residents toward transit.

Read on

Savannah College of Art and Design anchors downtown life, converting historic properties into academic halls and deploying private patrols alongside municipal police on horseback. Municipal ordinances permit open containers in plastic go cups throughout downtown streets, shaping an active evening scene along River Street. Outside the protected historic perimeter, violent crime increases, making nocturnal vigilance essential.

Long-distance rail travelers arrive at an Amtrak terminal situated several kilometers beyond the urban center, requiring local buses or cabs to reach downtown. Along the waterfront, active shipping channels bring immense container vessels directly past dining verandas. Dining traditions center on communal tables and outdoor queues at historic boarding houses alongside remote tidal shrimp shacks.

Associations

Public squaresInterconnected shaded parks anchor walking commutes across the historic core.
Go cupsPedestrians can legally carry alcoholic drinks across downtown streets.
Property crimeTheft and personal crime rates escalate rapidly outside the historic center.
Art college presenceSCAD maintains academic facilities and dedicated security throughout downtown.
Weekend parkingDowntown metered spaces fill early, leaving drivers to rely on garages.

Facts

Chatham Area Transit operates a fare-free downtown shuttle alongside a complimentary passenger ferry crossing to Hutchinson Island.
Savannah College of Art and Design conducts independent bicycle and vehicle security patrols across the historic core.
Municipal law permits patrons to carry open alcoholic beverages in plastic cups throughout the downtown district.
Amtrak passenger rail services stop at an outlying station rather than inside the downtown historic core.

Updated September 9, 2026Source: Wikivoyage

Visa and practicalities

Choose a passport

Set your passport — processing time, fee and documents differ between passports.

Internships, au pair and study programmes have a different visa category and a different set of documents. Applications go through CMO International Programmes.

IEC international programmes

Good to know

Public consumption of alcohol is legal within downtown Savannah if poured into an approved go cup.

Frequently asked

Can you drink alcohol in public in Savannah?

In the downtown district, carrying and consuming alcohol in public is permitted by law. Establishments provide plastic cups upon request when patrons leave with an open beverage.

Source: Wikivoyage

How do you travel around Savannah without a car?

Chatham Area Transit runs the fare-free dot Shuttle service through the Historic District and operates the Savannah Belles Ferry across the river to Hutchinson Island. The Historic District features flat terrain that suits walking and cycling between public squares.

Source: Wikivoyage

Is Savannah safe for walking?

The Historic District is secure for foot travel during daylight hours, with regular patrols by local police and university security personnel. Areas outside the historic core experience higher crime rates, and evening crowds along River Street warrant elevated vigilance.

Source: Wikivoyage

What airport serves Savannah?

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport provides commercial airline connections to major domestic hubs. Ground transport operators, including car rental agencies, shuttles, and taxis, operate from the lower level of the terminal.

Source: Wikivoyage

How does parking work in the Historic District?

Public garages provide off-street parking throughout the downtown core, including underground facilities beneath Ellis Square. Metered curb spaces are free during weekends, though spots near River Street fill rapidly during the morning.

Source: Wikivoyage

Can you reach Savannah by passenger train?

Amtrak serves Savannah Station with passenger routes linking the city along the Atlantic coast and toward the Midwest. The terminal sits outside downtown, connecting into the city center by local transit buses and taxis.

Source: Wikivoyage

When to go and itineraries

Ready-made itineraries

Historic District and Waterfront Walk5 stops

09:00Forsyth ParkWalk through the park grounds and start the route along shaded paths.
11:00Chippewa SquareRest beneath the trees and stop for coffee nearby.
13:00Ellis SquarePass through the public square toward central dining spots.
15:00River StreetStroll the riverfront promenade and watch shipping traffic on the water.
17:00Savannah Belles FerryBoard the passenger ferry for a transit crossing to Hutchinson Island.

Riverfront and District Transit Loop3 stops

10:00River StreetBoard the weekend streetcar and view historic buildings along the river.
12:00East Bay StreetWalk along the bluff overlooking the river to reach historic taverns.
14:00Madison SquareAdmire surrounding architecture and visit tea rooms on the square.

Updated September 9, 2026

People who have been here

Exchange!3posts about Savannah

Экономист, Кризис, США или Джамшут в Америкеguest_15638 · Sep 21, 2009Read

Savannah , Georgia

We arrived in this city at 8, half the bus got off here. I didn't go into town, I was too lazy, so I just sat at the bus stop and watched people. I started thinking, why do so many people take the bus when the price difference is only about 150 dollars? They spend 30 bucks just on food and drinks they bring with them, then at every stop they go into local cafes and spend another 8-10 bucks, so by the end of the trip, it adds up to 80-100 bucks. What's the point of spending a day and a half on the road instead of 4 hours just to save 50 bucks? I didn't spend anything, I just bought 6 chocolate bars and made them last for the day and a half, that's it. Plus, people shared their food with me, again, because of my phone.

3posts by participants about Savannah — from housing and visas to weekend routes.Read all

Source: IEC Exchange · As of November 3, 2026

Stay longer on a programme

Work and Travel, internships, au pair and volunteering in United States: visa, invitation and on-site support are handled by CMO International Programmes.