Parking in downtown Savannah is often hard to come by, but prices are reasonable compared to many other tourist cities. Numerous garages, parking lots and metered on-street parking spaces are available throughout the (typically congested) Historic District.
The easiest place to find a parking space in Savannah is usually in one of the several parking garages located across the Historic District, some of which offer 24-hour opening. Five of these parking garages are owned by the city, with a few others being privately operated. There are also several parking lots, some small and some large, several of which are city-operated.
Street parking is often difficult to find during busy periods, and you will generally have a better chance of finding an unfilled space outside of the downtown area. During Savannah’s biggest events and on many weekends during the peak visitor season, especially, it may be best to plan to park outside of the Historic District and complete your journey on foot or by shuttle.
The parking garages on the perimeter of the Historic District are easily accessible via Savannah’s free shuttles, which circuit the Historic District with stops at most key attractions.
See also:
– Where to park for free
– Savannah’s must-see sights
– Free things to do in Savannah
– More attractions and things to do in Savannah
– Where to park on and near River Street
The cheapest way to park in Savannah’s Historic District if you are staying for all or most of the day is usually to get a Visitor Parking Pass. The pass allows unlimited parking in city-owned garages (except during special events) and metered spaces with a time limit of more than an hour. It cannot be used in privately-owned lots or parking garages.
If you are visiting over the weekend, however, free and discounted flat-rate parking is often available and it may not be cheaper to get a pass.
A one-day pass is $15, a two-day pass is $24. Passes can be bought from the Mobility & Parking Services at 100 East Bryan Street. See this page for more details.
Alternatively, you can pay by the hour or day in any of the garages or lots, or on-street. Rates vary from $1-$2 per hour. $2 per hour is charged for street parking in the area bounded by the river, Martin Luther King, Jr Boulevard, Habersham Street and Oglethorpe Avenue. $1 per hour is charged for metered street spaces south of Oglethorpe Avenue and east of Habersham Street, and in most city-owned garages.
An exception is the Whitaker Street Garage (closest for Ellis Square, City Market, River Street and Bull Street), which charges $2 per hour, with a daily maximum charge of $16.
Discount rates apply for evenings and weekends in most parking garages, and higher rates are usually charged during special events.
Rates in privately-owned parking garages and lots vary, but expect to pay around $10-$20 per day. Visitor Parking Passes are not valid in private garages or lots.
Many hotels and B&Bs offer guest parking. In some cases a charge will apply. If you are staying fairly near a 24-hour public parking garage, the full-day rate at the garage may be a cheaper option.
Free parking is available outside of the parking-charge enforcement hours and on Sundays in on-street spaces and most city-owned lots north of Liberty Street (with the exception of the Civic Center lot, at which parking charges apply 24/7). South of Liberty Street, free on-street parking is available outside of enforcement hours on weekdays and all day on both Saturday and Sunday.
Street parking is available across the Historic District and surrounding neighborhoods. Charges and stay times vary according to location.
Street parking in the Historic District is not usually cheaper than using a lot or garage (with the exception of evenings and Sundays), and it may be harder to find a suitable space, especially during the peak tourist seasons and special events.
100 East Bryan Street (see on map). City-owned, 497 spaces, 24hr.
North-center of the Historic District, near to River Street, Bull Street, Ellis Square.
Monday-Friday, 5am-5pm, $1 per hour; Monday-Thursday, 5pm-5am, $2 flat rate; Friday, 5pm-5am, $5 flat rate; Saturday-Sunday, $5 per day (5am to 5am next day) flat rate. $14 per day maximum rate Monday-Thursday, $17 per day maximum Friday. Special event parking $5-$20 per day.
100 East State Street (see on map). City-owned, 452 spaces, 24hr.
North-central Historic District, near to River Street, Bull Street, Colonial Park Cemetery.
Monday-Friday, 5am-5pm, $1 per hour; Monday-Friday, 5pm-5am, $2 flat rate; Saturday-Sunday, $5 per day (5am to 5am next day) flat rate. $14 per day maximum rate Monday-Thursday, $17 per day maximum Friday. Special event parking $5-$20 per day.
7 Whitaker Street (see on map). City-owned, 1065 spaces, 24hr.
North-central Historic District, near to Ellis Square, City Market, River Street and Bull Street.
Monday-Thursday, $2 per hour, maximum daily rate $16; Friday, $2 per hour, maximum daily rate $20; Saturday-Sunday, $10 per day flat rate. Special event parking $10-$20 per day.
301 West Liberty Street (see on map). City-owned, 881 spaces, 24hr.
Western Historic District, near to Visitors Center and several museums, Civic Center, and south-western squares.
Monday-Friday, 5am-5pm, $1 per hour; Monday-Friday night, 5pm-5am, $2 per night flat rate; Saturday-Sunday, $5 per day flat rate. A daily maximum rate applies on weekdays: Monday-Thursday, $14; Friday, $17. Special event parking $5-$20 per day.
132 Montgomery Street (see on map). City-owned, 520 spaces, 24hr.
North-west Historic District, near to Ellis Square, Civic Center and Telfair Square museums.
Monday-Friday 5am-5pm, $1 per hour; Monday-Thursday, 5pm-1am, $2 per night flat rate; Friday, 5pm-5am, $2 flat rate; Saturday-Sunday $5 per day flat rate. A daily maximum rate applies on weekdays: Monday-Thursday, $14; Friday, $17. Special event parking $5-$20 per day.
20 Lincoln Street (see on map). Privately-operated, 24hr.
North-east Historic District, near to Reynolds Square and Emmet Park.
$5 for 1 hour, then $3 per additional hour up to the daily maximum charge: Monday-Wednesday, $10; Thursday, $15; Friday-Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Higher charges apply on holidays and during special events.
115 East Congress Street (see on map). Privately-operated, 24hr.
North-central Historic District, near to Reynolds Square, Johnson Square and Bay Street.
$5 for 1 hour, then $3 per additional hour up to the daily maximum charge: Monday-Wednesday, $10; Thursday, $15; Friday-Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Higher charges apply on holidays and during special events.
River Street Parking Lot 1, River Street & Barnard Ramp. City-owned, 29 spaces, parking charges apply Monday-Saturday, 8am–8pm. $2 per hour. May close during special events. Northern Historic District, near to River Street and Ellis Square. More details or see on map.
River Street Parking Lot 2, River Street & Barnard Ramp. City-owned, 31 spaces, parking charges apply Monday-Saturday, 8am–8pm. $2 per hour. May close during special events. North-western Historic District, near to River Street and Ellis Square. More details or see on map.
River Street Parking Lot 3 River Street & Abercorn Ramp. City-owned, 50 spaces, parking charges apply Monday-Saturday, 8am–8pm. $2 per hour. May close during special events. Northern Historic District, near to River Street, River Street Marketplace and Emmet Park. More details or see on map.
Civic Center Parking Lot, Liberty Street off Montgomery Street. City-owned, 225 spaces, parking charges apply Monday-Sunday, 24 hours. $0.50 per hour. May close during special events More details or see on map.
Visitor Center Parking Lot, 301 Martin Luther King Boulevard. City owned, 298 spaces, parking charges apply Monday-Saturday, 8am-6:30pm. First hour free, $1 per hour thereafter. No overnight parking allowed. More details or see on map.
If you are flying to Savannah and staying in a hotel situated either in or near to downtown, you will most likely not need a car for your vacation.
Driving is rarely the best way to get around Savannah. Traffic is often heavy, parking can be difficult to find, and the one way system and frequent squares add to the challenges of navigating the Historic District, especially during rush hours and the peak tourist seasons.
Many of Savannah’s main sights are located within the central Historic District, and for most people are easily accessible either on foot, using the city’s free downtown shuttle or ordinary city buses, or by taxi or rideshare service.
Taxis and sometimes the city bus services can also get you to the most popular sights (such as Bonaventure Cemetery or Wormsloe Plantation) outside of the Historic District if you decide to visit these.
Even if you are planning to combine your visit to Savannah with a trip to Charleston or to Tybee Island, you can get by if needs be without your own vehicle. The Savannah to Charleston route is served by Amtrak, and Tybee by taxi and rideshares. Taxi and rideshare services to Hilton Head, somewhat further away than Tybee, are also available.
If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing outside the city, however, or want to visit places such as Georgia’s historic forts or its state parks and wildlife reserves, you will probably need some kind of personal transport.
See Also: Some Of Savannah’s Top Sights
– Forsyth Park
– Bonaventure Cemetery
– River Street
– The Bull Street squares
– First African Baptist Church
– The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters
See also:
– Black history tours of Savannah
– Savannah events
– Tybee Island events
– Hilton Head Island events
– Beaufort, SC events