Avis Car Hire
in Savannah

The car hire centre at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is conveniently located just a short walk from the baggage claim area. After collecting your luggage, simply follow the overhead signs for "Rental Cars" which will direct you across the main concourse. The hire desks are consolidated in one area, making the process straightforward even during quieter, late-night hours. This efficient layout ensures you can quickly complete your paperwork and proceed to the adjacent multi-storey car park to collect your vehicle.

Returning a hire car at SAV is designed to be a smooth process, even for early morning flights. As you approach the airport, prominent road signs will clearly direct you towards the dedicated "Rental Car Return" entrance. This entrance leads into the main car park, where each hire agency has designated drop-off lanes. The area is well lit and easy to navigate, allowing for a quick return before you head into the terminal to check in for your flight.

The most direct route from the airport to the Historic District is via I-95 South to I-16 East, which leads you straight into the city centre. To avoid confusion, it helps to have your hotel's address programmed into your sat nav before you leave the hire lot. Be aware that I-16 ends and transitions directly onto Montgomery Street, which is where the city's grid of one-way streets begins. Trusting your navigation app and paying close attention to street signs will be the best strategy for a smooth arrival.

While River Street itself has very limited parking, the most practical solution is to use one of the several public car parks located just a block or two away. Car parks like the Bryan Street Garage or Whitaker Street Garage offer secure, covered parking with daily rates. This allows you to leave your car in one spot overnight or for multiple days. You can then explore the waterfront and the rest of the Historic District on foot without the stress of searching for street parking.

Finding parking directly adjacent to Forsyth Park can be quite challenging during peak times, especially on sunny afternoons and weekends. The spaces surrounding the park are metered and tend to fill up quickly with both locals and visitors. A more effective strategy is often to look for available spots on the residential side streets a few blocks away from the park. This may require a short, pleasant walk, but it saves you the frustration of circling the park repeatedly.

The area immediately surrounding the airport in Pooler offers numerous convenient options for a grocery stop. Before leaving the airport, you can use a map app on your phone to locate a major supermarket along your planned route towards downtown Savannah. Many large grocery stores are located just off main roads like Pooler Parkway or near the I-95. This allows you to stock up on essentials without having to navigate out of the Historic District and back again after you've checked in.

For wedding-day logistics, the most reliable plan is to park your hire car in a centrally located public car park for the day. Choose a car park near the primary wedding venues, such as the Robinson Parking Garage or the State Street Garage. This provides a secure and accessible base where you can easily return to retrieve garment bags or change outfits between the ceremony and reception. It's far less stressful than trying to find temporary street parking in the busy Historic District.

The best approach to navigating Savannah's charming but narrow historic streets is to drive slowly and defensively. Be mindful of your vehicle's size, especially when turning around the corners of the city's many squares. It's important to be patient and prepared for sudden stops, as you'll be sharing the road with pedestrians, tour trolleys, and horse-drawn carriages. Taking your time allows you to safely soak in the city's unique atmosphere without feeling rushed.

First-time visitors often get into trouble by misinterpreting parking signs, which can have complex rules regarding time limits and enforcement hours. Another common pitfall is getting caught in the one-way street patterns that surround each square, leading to frustrating circling. It's also crucial to be aware of residential-only parking zones, which are strictly enforced. Always double-check the signs for your specific spot to avoid an unexpected parking fine.

The drive to Bonaventure Cemetery from downtown Savannah is a scenic trip that takes about 15–20 minutes. The primary challenge is parking during peak visitation times, such as weekend afternoons or during beautiful spring weather. The cemetery has a designated parking area near the entrance, but it can fill to capacity. To ensure you get a spot and enjoy a more peaceful visit, it's highly recommended to arrive earlier in the morning before the largest crowds.

Driving to Tybee Island on a summer weekend requires patience, as traffic can be very heavy. The main source of delay is on US-80, the only highway leading to the island. You can expect significant backups, particularly as you approach the Lazaretto Creek Bridge and get closer to the island itself. To minimise your time in traffic, the best strategy is to leave Savannah very early in the morning, well before the peak beach-going rush begins.

For a sunrise trip to Tybee Island, the drive from Savannah will be quick and traffic-free. The main challenge to plan for is parking upon arrival. Tybee Island enforces paid parking across the entire island, including all public lots and street spaces, from early in the morning. Be prepared to find a pay station or use the designated mobile parking app as soon as you park to avoid receiving a ticket, even at that early hour.

A day trip from Savannah to Hilton Head Island is very easy and popular with a hire car. The drive typically takes about an hour and follows a straightforward route. Once you arrive on Hilton Head, there are numerous public beach access points with their own paid parking lots, such as at Coligny Beach Park. It's wise to start your day trip early, as these lots can fill up quickly, especially during the busy summer season.

To enjoy a day trip to Charleston without feeling rushed, it's best to leave Savannah early in the morning to maximise your time there. The drive is about two hours each way, so an early start is key. Once in Charleston, park your car for the day in a central public car park and focus your exploration on one or two adjacent neighbourhoods, like the French Quarter and the area south of Broad Street. This allows you to experience the city's highlights on foot at a relaxed pace.

The drive from Savannah to St. Augustine offers several wonderful opportunities for stops. Many travellers enjoy taking a detour to Jekyll Island to see the stunning Driftwood Beach or visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Another popular option is to explore the charming coastal town of St. Marys, Georgia, the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore. These stops break up the two-hour drive and allow you to experience more of the region's unique coastal beauty.

The decision often comes down to the traveller's itinerary and lodging location. If your plans are confined to the highly walkable Historic District, it can be more cost-effective and convenient to go without a car and simply hire one for specific day trips. However, if your plans include multiple excursions to places like Tybee Island, Wormsloe, or other outlying areas, keeping the hire car for your entire stay provides maximum flexibility, despite the need to arrange for daily parking.

When seeking an alternative to hotel valet, look for one of the city-operated public car parks, which are plentiful in the Historic District. These car parks are typically well lit, secure, and offer reasonable 24-hour rates that are often more economical than valet services. Car parks like the Liberty Street or Bryan Street Garage are centrally located, allowing you to park your car and easily access it whenever you need it throughout your stay.

Driving to the various SCAD buildings is not difficult, as they are integrated throughout Savannah's Historic and Victorian districts. The main challenge is finding convenient short-term parking, which primarily consists of metered spots on the street. For a campus visit involving multiple buildings, the most efficient strategy is to park once in a public car park. From there, you can enjoy a walk between the different SCAD facilities you plan to see.

The Savannah Convention Center is located on Hutchinson Island, which requires driving over the large Talmadge Memorial Bridge from downtown. While the bridge offers great views, its height can be imposing for some drivers. Getting back to downtown is straightforward; simply follow the clear signage to cross the bridge again. Using your sat nav will make the short trip seamless and prevent any confusion.

During the St. Patrick's Day festival, you should plan on not driving or parking anywhere near the Historic District. Extensive road closures are put in place for the parade route and festival zone, making navigation by car nearly impossible. The best strategy is to park your vehicle at your hotel if you're staying outside the district, or in a designated peripheral lot. Then, rely on walking, pedicabs, or ride-sharing services to get around the celebration area.

On weekend evenings, Savannah's traffic becomes heavily concentrated in the main entertainment areas. The streets around City Market, River Street, and Broughton Street become particularly congested with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Finding street parking in these zones is extremely difficult, and the one-way streets can become more challenging to navigate with the increased volume. It's often much easier to park in a car park and walk to your evening destinations.

The most efficient method is to use the hotel's temporary loading zone right outside. One adult can stay with the car for a few minutes while the other takes the children and the first load of luggage inside to begin the check-in process. This prevents you from having to manage everything on a busy pavement at once. After you're checked in, you can then move the car to its designated long-term parking spot.

A great strategy is to designate one or two drivers to proceed to the hire counter to collect the vehicle. The rest of the group, including children and older adults, can wait comfortably with the luggage inside the terminal near the baggage claim area. Once the car is ready, the driver can circle around to the passenger pickup kerb, making for an organised and stress-free loading process for everyone.

With a larger SUV, you'll want to be most cautious in the heart of the Historic District. The lanes on the streets that wind around the squares can be quite narrow, especially with the large live oak canopy. Additionally, some of the older, smaller car parks may have tighter turns and lower clearance heights. On-street parallel parking will also be more challenging, so opting for a larger, more modern public car park is often the best choice.

One of the most common points of confusion for visitors is where the multi-lane Abercorn Street in Midtown narrows and transitions into a one-way street as it enters the Historic District. Another tricky spot is the end of I-16, which flows directly into downtown city streets, requiring drivers to quickly adapt to the urban grid. The intricate network of one-way streets surrounding the 22 historic squares can also be disorienting for first-time drivers in the area.

The most convenient strategy is to drive from Pooler into downtown Savannah and head directly to a large, centrally located public car park. The "park once" method is ideal; secure a spot for the day in a car park like Liberty or Bryan Street. From there, the entire Historic District is easily explorable on foot or by using the free DOT Express Shuttle service. This approach completely eliminates the stress of searching for a new parking spot at each attraction.

Savannah is an active port city with several rail lines that can cause unpredictable traffic delays. The most practical way to plan for this is to build extra time into your driving schedule, especially when heading to the airport or a time-sensitive appointment. Adding a buffer of 15 to 20 minutes is a wise precaution. Using a navigation app with real-time traffic updates can also help by alerting you to a stopped train on your route.

While GPS is invaluable, it's helpful to use it strategically in Savannah's Historic District. For best results, input the specific address of a car park as your final destination, rather than a general landmark like "City Market." This often provides a more direct route that avoids the most confusing turns. It's also a good idea to briefly review the map before you start driving to get a general sense of the one-way street patterns.

For a late-night tour, a smart parking strategy is to choose a public car park on the outer edge of the Historic District, away from the main nightlife hubs of River Street and City Market. Car parks on the eastern or northern side, such as the Bryan Street Garage, can be good options. This positioning allows for a much easier and quicker exit from downtown after your tour concludes, as you can avoid the most heavily congested streets.

The drive to Wormsloe is a beautiful journey through Savannah's low country scenery. Because the site is famous for its stunning oak-lined avenue, it's a very popular destination, and the entrance can get backed up. To avoid the biggest crowds and ensure easier access to the on-site car park, plan to visit on a weekday or arrive early in the morning on a weekend. An afternoon visit after the lunchtime rush can also be a good option.

The drive to Fort Pulaski National Monument from downtown is very straightforward, following US-80 East out toward Tybee Island. The trip usually takes about 25 minutes and is quite scenic as you cross the marshes. The primary factor that can slow you down is beach traffic, especially on a sunny weekend. If you're heading out on a Saturday or Sunday, leaving earlier in the day will help you avoid the main rush of beachgoers.

This is a very realistic and popular itinerary for visitors with a hire car. The key is to start your day early in the Historic District to enjoy the cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. After you've explored the squares and had lunch, the drive to Tybee Island is only about 30 minutes. This plan allows you to enjoy a full afternoon at the beach and you can even stay for sunset before heading back to the city.

Having a hire car makes getting to the Port of Savannah very convenient, as it's located just a short drive from the Historic District. The easiest way to coordinate is to check your cruise line's specific guidelines for passenger drop-off times and procedures. Be sure to allow a generous time buffer for your drive, as the port area can become congested with traffic on departure days. Following the port's directional signage will guide you to the correct terminal.

Many visitors wish they had taken a moment to carefully read the specific enforcement hours and time limits posted on the parking meters or signs. The rules can vary significantly from one zone to another within the Historic District. For example, parking is often free on Sundays and after certain hours on other days, but it's crucial to confirm this for your specific spot. Assuming the rules are the same everywhere is a common and costly mistake.

During a heavy Southern downpour, the historic cobble and brick-paved streets, especially on and around River Street, can become very slick. Visibility can also be poor, making it harder to spot pedestrians. Some of the lower-lying streets in the area may experience temporary ponding or minor flooding. The best advice for out-of-towners is to slow down significantly, increase following distance, and use extra caution on the historic surfaces.

When driving from downtown Savannah to the airport during weekday rush hour, typically between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM, it is wise to build in an extra 20 to 30 minutes of travel time. While the drive is not long, traffic can become quite congested on I-16 and near the I-95 interchange. This buffer helps account for any unexpected slowdowns and ensures you arrive at the airport with plenty of time for your car return and flight check-in.

After returning your car at SAV, the nearby town of Pooler is the perfect place to spend a few hours. It is located just minutes from the airport and is home to the Tanger Outlets, as well as a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and cinemas. This allows you to relax, have a meal, or do some last-minute shopping in a comfortable setting. You can then make the very short trip back to the terminal when it's time for your flight.

The most practical and stress-free plan is to drive into the Historic District and park your car once for the entire day. Choose a large, centrally located public car park like the Whitaker Street Garage or the Robinson Terminal Garage. From this single parking spot, you can easily walk to Forsyth Park, City Market, and all the squares in between. To get down to River Street, you can take a scenic walk down the historic steps or use the free public lifts.

Savannah is perfectly positioned for easy drives to stunning natural areas. For incredible marsh views and birdwatching, a drive to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, just north of the city, is a must. Another excellent option is to drive out to Skidaway Island State Park, which offers beautiful trails through maritime forest and along the Intracoastal Waterway. Both are a short and scenic drive from the downtown area.

First-time visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the generally relaxed and courteous pace of driving in Savannah's Historic District. Drivers are accustomed to yielding to the constant flow of pedestrians and the frequent stops of tour trolleys. The local comfort with navigating the grid of one-way streets and squares can be an adjustment. However, the most notable habit is the patience shown by local drivers, which contributes to the city's charming, unhurried atmosphere.