Hertz Car Hire
in Savannah

After collecting your luggage at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, look for the overhead signs directing you to "Car Hire" or "Ground Transportation." The Hertz desk is conveniently located in the baggage reclaim area alongside other hire companies. Once you complete the paperwork at the desk, you will be directed to the adjoining car park where the hire vehicles are staged. The whole process is well signed and streamlined, making it straightforward to get on your way.

Under normal conditions, the drive from the airport to Savannah’s Historic District takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes. Arriving in the late afternoon, however, may mean heavier commuter traffic which could extend your journey to 40 minutes or more. Key routes such as I-16 East and Abercorn Street can become congested at that time. It’s sensible to check a real-time traffic app on your phone just before you leave the hire lot for the most accurate estimate.

For first-time visitors, the most straightforward and least stressful route is to use the major highways. From the airport you’ll take I-95 South for a short distance to I-16 East, which leads directly into downtown Savannah. This route is well signed and avoids the numerous turns and traffic lights you’d face on local roads like GA-21. While local routes can appear shorter on a map, the highway connection is intended for through traffic and is much easier to navigate after a flight.

To avoid the hassle of on-street parking, your best option is one of the city’s public car parks. The Liberty Street Garage is an excellent choice, located just a few blocks north of Forsyth Park. Parking there allows for a pleasant walk through some of Savannah’s attractive squares on the way to the park. This approach saves you the time and frustration of hunting for a limited metered spot and lets you enjoy your visit without worry.

When driving on historic cobbled streets, particularly along River Street and the adjacent Factor’s Walk, the key is to go very slowly. These surfaces are notoriously uneven and can be slippery, especially when wet. Reducing your speed significantly will protect the car’s suspension and undercarriage from potential scrapes. Be mindful of dips and bumps and keep extra distance from the vehicle ahead to navigate the surface safely and comfortably.

Yes, downtown Savannah’s grid includes many one-way streets that can be tricky for first-time visitors. While your GPS will try to keep up, it can sometimes lag, leading to a missed turn. Pay close attention to the actual street signs as well as your navigation. The alternation of one-way directions around the 22 historic squares is a defining feature of the city layout, so be prepared to circle a block if you accidentally miss a turn.

The most effective plan is to call your hotel ahead of arrival and ask for their instructions on unloading luggage. Many hotels have designated short-term loading zones where you can pull over for 10–15 minutes. If no such zone exists, have one person stay with the vehicle with the hazard lights on while another quickly takes the bags inside. After unloading, you can then proceed to find long-term parking in the hotel’s lot or a nearby public car park.

During busy dinner hours, on-street parking around City Market is extremely limited and hard to find. Your most reliable options are the nearby public car parks. The Whitaker Street Garage and the Robinson Garage are both a short walk away and offer ample space. Using a garage removes the stress of circling for a spot and allows you to head straight to your reservation, making for a far more enjoyable evening.

To catch a sunrise on Tybee Island, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sunrise time. This gives you a buffer to find parking, pay at the kiosk and walk to a good spot on the beach. Most visitors park in the large public lots near the Tybee Island Pier or find metered spaces along Butler Avenue, which runs parallel to the shoreline. Arriving early is key, as even at dawn the best spots can be taken by fishermen and other early risers.

The drive to Tybee Island at night along the US‑80 is generally safe and straightforward, but it does include some very dark sections. After leaving the more built-up areas of Wilmington and Whitemarsh Islands, the road cuts through unlit marshland for several miles. It’s important to drive cautiously and use your high beam when there’s no oncoming traffic. Be sure to watch for wildlife that may be near the road in these darker stretches.

To ensure a smooth drive to Hilton Head, it’s best to avoid peak travel times. Try to leave Savannah either early in the morning, before 08:00, or wait until mid‑morning, after 10:00, to miss the bulk of commuter and tourist traffic. The primary bottlenecks are the bridges onto the island. Returning from Hilton Head, aim to leave before 15:00 or after 18:00 to avoid the afternoon rush hour.

Absolutely — visiting both sites in one afternoon is very manageable with a hire car as they are relatively close. A good plan is to visit Wormsloe Historic Site first to experience its stunning oak‑lined avenue in the afternoon light. Afterwards it’s a short, scenic drive of about 15 minutes to Bonaventure Cemetery. This order allows you to explore the cemetery in the late afternoon, which is a peaceful and beautiful time to visit.

On a busy weekend you can still expect to find parking within Bonaventure Cemetery, but you may need to park along one of the secondary avenues rather than near the main entrance. Parking is permitted along the sides of the cemetery’s paved roads. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking, as the grounds are extensive and many of the most notable plots are spread out. Comfortable shoes are a must for navigating uneven terrain and unpaved paths.

Yes — the most convenient approach is to use one of the centrally located public car parks. The State Street Garage or the Bryan Street Garage are excellent options that place you right in the heart of the Historic District. By parking once in a garage you can explore numerous squares, shops and restaurants on foot for several hours. This removes the need to keep searching for and paying for new on‑street parking spots as you move around.

Since SCAD’s campus is integrated throughout the Historic District rather than in one central location, the best approach is to navigate to a specific building’s address. Use a reliable GPS and input the exact address of the gallery or building you wish to visit. Instead of trying to park directly in front of the building, which is often difficult, plan to park in the nearest public garage. This will save you from navigating the complex one‑way streets and potential dead ends.

Both the Savannah Civic Centre and Enmarket Arena have dedicated car parks and garages available for event attendees. However, these can fill up quickly for popular shows and concerts. A common strategy is to arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before the event’s start time to secure a spot. Alternatively, many people park in other nearby city garages and enjoy a short walk to the venue, which can also make for a quicker exit after the show.

Driving in downtown Savannah during the St Patrick’s Day celebrations is extremely difficult and generally not recommended. Major road closures are in effect for several days, especially around the parade route on Abercorn and Broughton Streets, as well as the festival zones on River Street and in City Market. Expect extensive detours that reroute traffic well away from the core of the Historic District. The best plan is to park on the outskirts and walk or use a pedicab.

The smartest strategy is to do some research beforehand. Check the official event website for maps of road closures and information on designated festival parking. Typically the best plan is to park your hire car in a garage on the periphery of the event, such as the Visitor Information Centre car park. From there you can easily walk into the festival area without having to navigate confusing detours and heavy pedestrian traffic.

For a low‑stress experience, consider parking in one of the garages located a block or two away from River Street, such as the Bryan Street Garage or the Whitaker Street Garage. These offer easy access to the riverfront via stairs or lifts but are positioned for a simpler exit onto main thoroughfares when you’re ready to leave. This allows you to avoid the most congested traffic right along the river, making your departure much quicker and easier.

One of the most common mistakes is not paying close attention to posted signs for street sweeping. Certain sides of the street have restrictions on specific days and times, and vehicles will be ticketed or towed. Another frequent error is letting a meter expire, as enforcement is active. Finally, visitors sometimes mistakenly park in a residential‑only zone, so it’s crucial to check signage for any permit requirements before leaving your car.

The most direct approach is to use one of the main north–south thoroughfares that lead straight into the downtown grid. From Midtown, taking Abercorn Street or Drayton Street northward is a very straightforward route. To make your arrival even simpler, choose a specific public car park in the Historic District as your destination in your GPS. This will guide you to a guaranteed parking spot and prevent you from circling aimlessly on arrival.

Yes, it’s very easy and convenient to drive from Savannah to Georgia’s Golden Isles. The trip south on I‑95 to the Brunswick area takes just over an hour. From there the causeways to both St Simons Island and Jekyll Island are clearly signed and easy to navigate. This makes for a perfect next stop on a coastal road trip or even a long day trip if you start early.

The drive from Savannah to Charleston is straightforward and usually takes about two hours, primarily on the US‑17 N. To avoid the stress of navigating and parking in Charleston’s narrow historic streets, visitors often park in one of the large public garages. The Charleston Visitor Centre garage on Ann Street or the Cumberland Street Garage are excellent choices. Parking there allows you to leave your car for the day and explore the city’s landmarks on foot.

The interchange where I‑16 ends and merges into the city streets can be confusing for first‑time visitors, so be sure to know which lane you need ahead of time. Additionally, navigating the historic squares requires special attention. Drivers must yield to traffic already in the square, which differs from a typical four‑way stop. Paying close attention to road signs and yielding the right‑of‑way are key to navigating these unique intersections safely.

When travelling with children, it’s wise to add a little extra buffer time to your driving plans. Plan routes that pass by major parks, like Forsyth Park, which provide open space for kids to run and often have public restrooms. Using public car parks can be less stressful than on‑street parking, as they give you more time and space to get everyone and everything out of the car. Major roads into the city, such as Abercorn Street, have plenty of familiar restaurants and petrol stations for quick stops.

For travellers with a stroller and multiple bags, public car parks are by far the most convenient option. Garages provide more space to unload your gear compared with a tight parallel street space. They also typically have lifts, which are essential when you’re managing a stroller. This setup allows you to get organised and ready for your walk without the pressure of holding up traffic.

For a hassle‑free grocery stop, it’s best to drive just outside the immediate Historic District. The Kroger on Gwinnett Street or the Whole Foods Market on Victory Drive are both excellent options. They are only a short drive from downtown and feature large, dedicated car parks that make it easy to get in and out. This saves you from the difficulty of finding parking for a supermarket in the more congested historic core.

A great pairing for a day trip is Wormsloe Historic Site and the Isle of Hope Historic District, as they are located very close to each other and both offer easy parking. Another excellent combination is Fort Pulaski National Monument and the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. They lie along the same route out to Tybee Island, making it a logical and efficient itinerary with ample parking available at both locations.

For a morning flight, a good rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport’s hire car return area at least two hours before your flight’s departure time. This provides a comfortable cushion to complete the vehicle return, walk from the car park back to the terminal, check your bags and get through security. Morning hours can be the busiest for both airport traffic and security queues, so allowing extra time helps ensure a stress‑free departure.

To speed up the hire car pickup process, have your driving licence and reservation confirmation number easily accessible when you get to the desk. If you’ve booked online, ensuring your profile is complete can also save time. Before you drive off the lot, do a quick walk‑around of the vehicle to check for any pre‑existing marks. Being prepared allows the agent to process your hire quickly so you can get on your way to the beach.

To avoid being delayed by tour trolleys and horse‑drawn carriages, try to use the main north–south streets like Drayton, Abercorn or Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd for longer stretches. The tour vehicles tend to stick to routes that circle the most popular squares, such as Chippewa and Madison. By using the more direct thoroughfares you can often bypass the slowest‑moving traffic and reach your destination more efficiently, especially during peak tourist hours.

The Ardsley Park neighbourhood, located just south of the Historic District, is an excellent place to get comfortable with your hire car. It features a grid layout similar to downtown but with much wider streets, less traffic and lower speed limits. Driving around its scenic, tree‑lined streets can help you build confidence before you navigate the busier one‑way streets and unique traffic patterns of the historic squares. The nearby Gordonston area offers a similar calm driving environment.

Yes — the easiest time to drive and find parking in downtown Savannah is typically early on weekday mornings, before 09:00. Another relatively calm period is mid‑afternoon, between 14:00 and 16:00, after the lunch rush and before the evening crowds arrive. Weekends are generally busy throughout the day, though Sunday mornings before midday tend to be quieter than Saturdays, offering a better window for less stressful navigation.

When driving near the riverfront and the port it’s important to be patient and alert. The area has active freight train crossings that can cause temporary delays, so never try to beat a train. Be aware of large lorries entering and leaving the Georgia Ports Authority and give them plenty of space. While not a frequent issue for most downtown drivers, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge can be lifted, so be mindful of any signals indicating a bridge opening.

A good strategy is to find on‑street parking along the northern edge of Forsyth Park very early in the morning, as spots are usually plentiful before the city wakes. After your photo session you can leave your car there and enjoy a pleasant 10–15 minute walk north into the heart of downtown for breakfast. Alternatively, parking in the Liberty Street Garage positions you centrally between the park and the main downtown area, allowing you to walk to both easily.

It is very feasible and, in fact, the recommended way to enjoy the area. The best plan is to park your hire car for the day in a nearby public garage, such as the Robinson Garage or Bryan Street Garage. Broughton Street and the surrounding shopping district are extremely walkable. By securing one parking spot for the day you can freely explore boutiques, cafés and restaurants on foot without the hassle of moving your car and searching for new parking.

The least stressful plan is to drive into Savannah in the late afternoon and park in a secure, well‑lit public garage like the State Street or Bryan Street Garage. This allows you to enjoy your evening downtown without worrying about your vehicle. When you’re ready to leave, the drive back to Tybee on US‑80 is straightforward. Just be cautious in the unlit marsh sections of the highway and use your high beam when appropriate.

The drive from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to Pooler is incredibly simple and quick. As you exit the airport, follow the signs for I‑95 North. You will merge onto the interstate and travel for just a couple of miles before taking Exit 104 for Pooler Parkway. This exit leads directly to the main commercial area with the major hotels, restaurants and the Tanger Outlets.

A great way to coordinate is to designate one person as the primary driver to handle the hire paperwork at the desk. While they are doing that, the rest of the group can gather all the luggage from baggage reclaim. Once the driver has the keys and knows the vehicle’s location, they can drive it from the hire lot to the terminal’s passenger pick‑up curb to load everyone and their bags, which is often faster and less crowded.