Savannah/Hilton Head Airport (SAV) Flights & Information

Located about 10 miles from downtown Savannah and 40 miles from Hilton Head, Savannah Hilton Head International Airport serves two of Georgia’s most popular coastal destinations. The facility is an easy-to-navigate size and offers nonstop flights to and from cities in the eastern and midwestern United States, and as far west as Denver.

Airlines that serve Savannah Hilton Head airport

The airport benefits from a diverse array of airline service, including traditional large airlines and low-cost carriers Allegiant, Avelo, Breeze and Frontier. Allegiant, in particular, flies nonstop to a variety of small and mid-sized cities nonstop, although service is seasonal for many of them.

Airport design and upgrades

From a design standpoint, the airport reflects the ambiance of the city of Savannah in several rather attractive ways, with traditionally inspired architectural elements, a public area fashioned after the city’s legendary squares, and lots of natural light and seating areas furnished with rocking chairs. Unfortunately, however, Savannah’s vast culinary delights are not as well represented as I’d like.

A construction project currently underway at the airport will add six new lanes to the security checkpoint, and a concourse expansion project currently in the design stage will add four new gates; completion dates haven’t been announced for either project.

Landing at Savannah Hilton Head International Airport

I find this a supremely easy airport for arrivals; the baggage claim is on the lower level, and rental car counters are also in the same area.

Wheelchair assistance

If you or your travel companion need a wheelchair, there are two Staxi self-service wheelchair stations, located at both ends of the baggage claim level (and also upstairs near the main entrance). At times I’ve noticed there are no chairs parked there, however — if that’s the case, you can proceed to the Mobility Services desk, across from the airline ticket counters on the upper level, where staff members provide wheelchairs and can offer other types of assistance, including arranging for a wheelchair escort to the gate.

Luggage carts and seating

Unlike many small and mid-sized airports, luggage carts are both available and free at Savannah Hilton Head International; they’re parked outside of the upper-level entrance.

Another thing I like about this airport is the amount of seating available: rocking chairs are positioned on the sidewalk outside the arrivals level, and there is a larger, open-air seating area across from the upper-level terminal entrance as well.

Ground transportation at the Savannah airport

The airport’s relatively compact size means you’ll never have to walk too far to reach your preferred form of ground transportation. Rental car counters are in the baggage claim area, and the cars are parked just a few steps away, right outside the terminal building.

Taxi and rideshare

The airport taxi stand is located across the pick-up/drop-off access road on the lower level, close to the baggage claim area. Taxis charge a flat rate for travel to the Savannah Historic District (where many hotels are located), as well as to Hutchinson Island, Southside Savannah and the hotels at West Chatham County/Airport and the I-95 and 204 interchange. You’ll pay based on the meter for all other destinations, plus a $1 surcharge.

The Uber and Lyft pickup area is located at the north exit from the baggage claim; there’s an outdoor seating area that makes the wait more comfortable when the weather is pleasant.

Bus

Public bus service is offered by Chatham Area Transit (CAT) and its route 100X bus is the cheapest way to get to downtown Savannah; the route includes stops near several hotels and at the Joe Murray Rivers, Jr. Intermodal Transit Center. The ride takes about 45 minutes, and you can pay on board or via the CAT app.

Note that some airport information still lists the K-Shuttle as an option for reaching Hilton Head Island; that service has been discontinued. To reach Hilton Head, options include renting a car, hiring a taxi or reserving transportation with a company like Palmetto Car Service, which offers group transportation and “pre-scheduled taxi” service.

Departing from Savannah Hilton Head International airport

Parking facilities are wonderfully close to the terminal. It’s always more convenient to park in the buildings that are the closest to the building entrance, of course, but there are electronic signs that may direct you to overflow parking when those lots are full; even then, it’s not too far away.

Long-term and economy lots are both available; the cheapest option is the SAV Value Park lot, which has hourly and daily rates, and is located less than 1,000 feet from the terminal. The most expensive option is valet parking, which charges a daily rate.

Navigating the airport

I like the fact that the Savannah Hilton Head airport offers more things to do in the pre-clearance area than many airports. The Savannah Art Association, for example, operates a small-but-interesting art gallery in the center of the upper level, near the airline ticket counters.

Interestingly, there’s also a machine near the American Airlines and Frontier Airlines ticket counters that converts cash into a prepaid Visa card. I assume that’s for people preparing to fly on airlines that don’t accept cash on board.

Savannah Square

My favorite place to hang out before passing through security is Savannah Square, a retail area that’s designed to resemble the city’s iconic squares, complete with trees, benches, rocking chairs and a few tables that are good for eating or working. The space is covered with a glass skylight, and a large clock hangs in the center.

Savannah Square is also home to several shopping options, including Tommy Bahama, the PGA Tour Shop and the Savannah Square Marketplace, which stocks lots of Savannah-inspired tourist items as well as travel necessities. There’s also a beauty salon for men and women and a military welcome center for service members.

Dining options at SAV

Food and drink options before security include Southbound Brewing, a casual dining venue, Starbucks, which features its usual menu, and Leopold’s, a branch of an iconic, Savannah-based ice cream parlor chain that dates to 1919 (there’s also a smaller Leopold’s stand after security).

Finding local food to eat can be a challenge. I’m big on sampling local cuisine whenever possible at airports, but unfortunately the Savannah airport doesn’t offer much in the way of local favorites. The PGA Tour Grill, located between gates 9 and 11, is the only real sit-down restaurant on the concourse, but its fare is limited and doesn’t include any of my personal favorites like shrimp and grits. Fast-food options include Burger King and Uno Express, a pizzeria.

Savannah-based chain Leopold’s, however, does provide locally produced ice cream, including evocatively named flavors like Savannah Socialite (milk and dark chocolate ice cream with roasted Georgia pecans and bourbon-infused caramel).

Tips to stay connected

Unlimited free WiFi service is available throughout the terminal; I’ve found it to be reliable once my computer connects to it, but I’ve experienced delays in getting connected, so prepare to be patient.

After you pass through security, the single-concourse layout makes it hard to get lost at Savannah Hilton Head International Airport. I especially appreciate the multiple high counters with outlets that dot the concourse, making it relatively easy to find a place to sit, recharge and work (my tip: if all of the counter seats are taken, wait near one that’s in front of a gate where a flight is departing soon; the seats will usually empty during the boarding process).

Shopping recommendations

Among the more interesting and locally authentic shopping on the concourse is Salt Table, a Savannah-based store located between gates 6 and 8 that stocks seasonings, candy and grits, all packaged to take home.

If you’re hankering for a book to read and can’t find anything worthwhile at Hilton Head Marketplace (the gift shop located between gates 10 and 12), head over to the SAV Flybrary, a free book exchange next to the entrance of the Passport Club.

Something unique about SAV

After you’ve boarded and are taxiing around the airport, here’s an interesting landmark to look for that no other airport has: two grave markers embedded in one of the runways; the remnants of the historic Dotson family cemetery.

Airline lounge at the Savannah airport

The Passport Club is the airport’s only lounge. You may be able to get in for free using your airline club membership card, and you can also pay for a day pass or an annual membership (a reasonable fee if you travel in and out of Savannah frequently). Amenities, food and snacks are limited, but the extremely reasonable price for a day pass makes this a good deal.

One thing to note: the Passport Club lounge uses the same public WiFi network as the rest of the terminal, so if you rely on WiFi, make sure it’s working on your device before paying to enter the club.

Airport hotels

There are 13 hotels within a mile of Savannah Hilton Head International Airport. The most convenient are the ones that offer free airport shuttles: Spark by Hilton Savannah Airport; Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Savannah Airport – Pooler, an IHG Hotel; Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Savannah Airport; and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Savannah Airport.