Called one of America’s most beautiful cities, Savannah sits near the mouth of the Savannah River, which forms the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina. Drive across the picturesque Talmadge Bridge over the Savannah River and by the time you’re back over dry land, you’re in another state. Head south down I-95 for about two and a half hours, and you’ve gone from Georgia’s northernmost coastal point to the Florida border—a pretty short stretch between states, considering Georgia is the largest state east of the Mississippi.
However guests arrive, Savannah is conveniently situated by road, rail, or air. Two interstate highways pass right through: I-95, a continually busy superhighway that stretches from Florida to Maine, and I-16, an interstate that connects Savannah to Macon (and I-75) with some 165 miles of the wide-open interstate (translation: dull and often lightly traveled) you’re likely to find in the East. And while we call it an interstate highway, it never leaves Georgia. Air travelers are going to find Savannah outfitted for them in a grand style, probably several cuts above what an experienced traveler would expect for a city this size. If you’ve ever navigated your way through big-city airports like those in Chicago or Atlanta, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport will be a nice change. Like that of its namesake city, the pace is a little slower and friendlier at our airport, and there are no football-field-length corridors to run through in order to make your connections. With an atrium decor reflecting the beauty of Savannah’s squares, there are rocking chairs and park benches strategically placed to help you pass the time. Other transportation options include Amtrak and Greyhound, which make stops every day in Savannah.
Overview
Once you get here, there are several options to get you around, although the best way is still the oldest way—on foot, or as you might hear it called, “riding shank’s mare.” If you aren’t interested in hoofing it, though, you’ll find a well-developed system of taxis, a public bus system, a full array of rental car agencies, even pedicabs, which are kind of a cross between a tricycle and a rickshaw, driven by strong-legged guides.
For the adventurous tourist, Segway of Savannah offers an eco-friendly way to glide through Savannah’s Historic District. Offering both private and self-tours, costs range from $40 to $65
Overall, you should find Savannah to be “user friendly,” no matter how you decide to get around. You won’t find elaborate freeway systems with HOV lanes or throngs of harried commuters rushing to catch their five o’clock train. Sorry, Savannah’s stage is set to a slower song, and her neighborly disposition makes her a city to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
Achieving the Southern way of seizing the day is easy: Take a deep breath and pretend there are no clocks or schedules. To a visitor, it may seem like Savannahians tackle the daily rigors of getting from one place to another in the same way. They are slow to anger and even slower to drive.
On the outskirts of town, suburban sprawl has given us a fairly recent phenomenon—some commuter-hour congestion, especially on I-16 bound for the bedrooms of Effingham County, or on Abercorn Street’s southern extremes approaching the Georgetown neighborhood and the entrance to I-95 en route to Richmond Hill’s neighborhoods in adjacent Bryan County.
So what happens if your navigation system fails or you’re lost? Ask a local. More likely than not, he or she will be happy to get you headed in the right direction. Those of us who live or work in the Historic Downtown are particularly experienced at giving directions.
Directions come with caution. Although Savannah’s aesthetics may lure you out at midnight, remember this: Take all precautions when walking the streets at night. Keep your wallet or purse secure, and if you’re approached, never take the aggressive stand. Give the perpetrator whatever they wish to take and submit. Savannah’s street crime—like that of any city—can be violent occasionally.
We have broken this chapter into two sections. Getting Here is just what you would expect: a look at the various modes of transportation to get you to Savannah. Getting Around helps you navigate once you’ve arrived. It includes a look at parking, public transportation, local roadways, and more.