Why go
Plan the arrival and the first walk together. I-95 and I-16 connect the city by car, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport serves air arrivals, and rail reaches Savannah beyond downtown. Once in the historic district, the squares offer a clear walking framework.
The full story
Savannah's historic district is compact enough to explore through its squares, but arriving in the city and moving around the wider area are different tasks. Two interstate highways, I-95 and I-16, provide road access. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport serves flyers, while Savannah also has an Amtrak station. The exact routes and onward connections should be checked for the travel date. Downtown, Bay Street runs east and west near the river, and Abercorn Street runs south through the historic district. The linked squares make walking useful for short hops between churches, museums and parks. River Street sits at a lower level than the streets on the bluff, so moving between them involves stairs or ramps. Chatham Area Transit provides local bus services, and the Savannah Belles ferry has connected the downtown waterfront with Hutchinson Island; confirm current service before counting on either. Tybee Island and other coastal locations are outside this central walking area and need their own transport plan.
Useful to know
- Check current airport ground transport and rail schedules before travel.
- Use the squares for a downtown walking plan; account for the climb between River Street and the bluff.
- Check current Chatham Area Transit information before relying on a bus, shuttle or ferry connection.