How do I get to Savannah?

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) handles nearly all inbound traffic and sits 18 km northwest of the Historic District along I-16. The terminal has a single concourse, which means you'll be curbside within 20 minutes of touching down. It smells like Cinnabon and recycled air conditioning. Delta operates the heaviest schedule here, running 6-8 daily flights to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), a 45-minute hop that connects to most international itineraries. American flies 3-4 times daily through Charlotte (CLT) and offers Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) connections. United covers Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Newark (EWR). JetBlue runs nonstop service to New York-JFK, and Allegiant links smaller cities like Indianapolis and Pittsburgh on lower fares. Mind you, SAV is small enough that you won't get lost in it, even on a first visit.

From the US Northeast, round-trip fares to SAV run $250-400 on Delta or JetBlue, dipping to $180-250 in January through early March when the city gets quiet. West Coast travelers typically pay $300-500, routing through Atlanta or Dallas-Fort Worth on American. From London or continental Europe, the path runs through ATL almost every time, adding $50-100 to your transatlantic ticket. Jacksonville International (JAX), 225 km south on I-95, can undercut SAV by $80-120 on Southwest and Spirit routes from the Midwest. The trade-off is a 2.5-hour drive north through flat coastal Georgia, but if you're renting a car anyway, the savings might cover a night's lodging. Charleston International (CHS), 170 km north, carries more nonstop Northeast routes and occasionally prices $60-90 below SAV on the same dates.

Amtrak's Silver Meteor and Palmetto run daily between New York Penn Station and points south, stopping at Savannah's station about 5 km west of the Historic District. The ride from New York takes roughly 12 hours and costs $80-180 depending on advance booking. It's an overnight trip, and the coach seats recline but the air conditioning blows cold enough to wake you at 3 AM. Pack a blanket. From Atlanta, I-16 east is a dead-straight 3.5-hour drive through pine forests with limited food options after Macon. From Jacksonville, I-95 north takes about 2 hours of flat highway. From Charlotte, figure 4 hours via I-77 and I-26. Savannah's grid of 22 historic squares is compact enough that once you park in the Historic District, you likely won't touch the car for 3 days.

Peak season runs March through May, when azaleas fill Forsyth Park and afternoon temperatures sit around 22-27 degrees Celsius. St. Patrick's Day, March 17, pulls an estimated 400,000 visitors into a city of 150,000, and flight prices to SAV can double for that single week. Book 6-8 weeks ahead if you're arriving mid-March. Summer brings 35 degree heat and humidity so thick you feel it on your skin the moment you step off the jet bridge. September through November tends to be the sweet spot for lower fares and temperatures dropping back toward 25 degrees, though hurricane season runs until November 30. Currently in early September, expect overcast skies around 26 degrees with a feels-like reading near 31 degrees at 90% humidity.