Parking in Downtown Savannah: What to Expect

You have probably heard that Savannah is one of the most walkable cities in the South. That is true. The Historic District was laid out in a tidy grid of squares back in 1733, and almost everything worth seeing downtown sits within a pleasant stroll of everything else.

But walkable does not always mean car-free. Maybe you are driving in from out of state. Maybe you want to catch a sunrise on Tybee Island, wander the oak-lined bluff on Isle of Hope, or spend a day across the state line in Hilton Head. In that case, your car is coming with you, and you will need somewhere to put it.

Good news: parking in downtown Savannah is very manageable once you know the rules. We’ve created a guide with everything you need to know about driving and parking in downtown Savannah. Here is what to expect, where to park, and how to plan your parking around your itinerary.

Is Downtown Savannah Driveable?

Yes! Driving downtown is not difficult, but it is different from most cities, and knowing a few quirks ahead of time makes it much easier.

• The squares change the flow. Many north-south streets wrap around Savannah’s historic squares, so you will loop counterclockwise around a square rather than driving straight through it. Go slow and yield to traffic already in the square.
• Lots of one-way streets. Several of the main corridors run one way, so keep an eye on signs before you turn.
• Pedestrians everywhere. You are sharing the road with walking tours, joggers, pedicabs, trolleys, and horse-drawn carriages. Expect to stop often.
• Cobblestones and steep ramps. The ramps down to River Street are steep, narrow, and paved with old ballast stones. They are fine for a regular car but tricky for large vehicles.
• Big vehicles, think ahead. If you are driving an RV, towing a trailer, or in an oversized truck, skip street parking downtown and head straight for a lot built for larger vehicles (more on that below).

The real challenge is not driving downtown. It is finding a spot close to where you want to be, especially on weekends, during festivals, and around dinnertime.

Downtown Savannah Parking Rules You Need to Know

City of Savannah’s map of parking meters (2026). Source: https://www.savannahga.gov/2515/Parking-Meters

Street parking downtown is run by the City of Savannah’s Mobility and Parking Services, and the rules depend on where you park and when. Here are the basics.

When you pay

• North of Liberty Street: Meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• South of Liberty Street: Meters are enforced on weekdays only, and parking is free after 5 p.m. and all weekend.
• South of Gaston Street: Street parking is generally free, which covers the Victorian and Starland Districts near Forsyth Park.
• Sundays: Metered street parking is free citywide.
• City holidays: Metered street parking is free on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and the Fourth of July.

What it costs

Rates go up the closer you get to the river. Expect to pay around $2.50 an hour in the busiest part of downtown (roughly River Street to Oglethorpe Avenue) and less as you head south toward Liberty Street. The River Street lots also run about $2.50 an hour. Rates can change, so check the posted signs or the app when you park.

How you pay

Most spaces downtown no longer have a traditional meter. Instead, each spot has a number painted on the street. Enter that number in the free ParkSavannah app or at a nearby pay kiosk. The app also sends a reminder when your time is running low and lets you add time from your phone, up to the posted limit.

Time limits

Spaces in high-demand areas like Broughton Street, City Market, and Bay Street often have one to two hour limits. You are expected to move your car once you hit the max, not just add more time. Spots on the edges of the Historic District tend to allow longer stays.

The visitor parking pass

If you want to park on the street and leave your car for the day, grab a Visitor Parking Pass. A 24-hour pass is $15 and a 48-hour pass is $24. It lets you park at any meter with a time limit of one hour or more without moving your car or feeding the meter. Passes are sold at the Mobility and Parking Services office inside the Bryan Street Garage (100 E. Bryan St.), at the Savannah Visitor Center, and at some downtown hotels.

Street sweeping

This is the ticket that catches visitors most often. Every street has a red and white sign showing its sweeping schedule, usually overnight. If your car is on that side of the street during those hours, you will be ticketed, even if you have a visitor pass. Read the sign before you walk away.

Where not to park

• SCAD lots. The Savannah College of Art and Design owns many properties downtown, and its lots are for students and staff only.
• Private, church, and business lots. Unless a sign says otherwise, assume you will be towed.
• Parade routes and event zones. During St. Patrick’s Day and other big events, the city posts temporary no-parking signs and tows quickly.
• Backing into garage spaces. City garages require you to pull in forward so your plate is visible, and they do ticket for it.

One last tip: wherever you park, take your valuables with you or lock them in the trunk. Locals will tell you the same thing.

Savannah Parking Garages and Lots

If you would rather park once and forget about it, a city-owned parking garage is your best friend. The city runs six garages downtown. All are open 24 hours, accept overnight parking, and are generally cheaper than hotel valet. If you are looking for guidance on which parking garage is most convenient to certain squares, shopping, and activities in Savannah, we created a chart for your reference.

What to expect to pay: Weekday garage rates run about $2 an hour with a daily maximum, typically around $20 to $24 depending on the garage. Weekends are a bargain, with flat daily rates of roughly $5 to $10. During festivals and big events, special event pricing replaces the normal rates, so expect to pay more. Most garages are card-only at the exit kiosk.

Bonus for holiday visitors: In past years, the city has offered free garage parking from noon to 8 p.m. on select days in late November and December to encourage holiday shopping downtown.

Other lots worth knowing

• Savannah Visitor Center lot (301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.): Your best bet for RVs, trailers, and oversized vehicles. The first hour is free, and it is about $1 an hour after that. The lot is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and you cannot get your vehicle out after it closes, so plan your evening accordingly.
• Civic Center lot (Liberty Street at Montgomery Street): A budget-friendly surface lot on the south side of downtown. Unlike street meters, it charges around the clock.

How to Plan Your Parking in Downtown Savannah Around Your Itinerary

The smartest way to handle parking in Savannah is to match it to what you are actually doing each day. Here is how to think about it.

Your hotel is downtown and you are exploring the Historic District

Park once and leave the car alone. Check your hotel’s parking rate first, then compare it with the nearest city garage, which is often cheaper. Once your car is settled, walk everywhere. If your feet need a break, the free DOT shuttle loops through the Historic District during the day.

You are planning day trips outside of Savannah: Tybee, Isle of Hope, or Hilton Head

This is where having a car really pays off. Tybee Island is roughly a 30-minute drive east, Isle of Hope and nearby Wormsloe are about 20 minutes south, and Hilton Head is roughly 45 minutes to an hour across the South Carolina line.

• Head out early. Leaving downtown in the morning beats beach and bridge traffic, especially on summer weekends.
• Plan your return. Street meters north of Liberty Street are free after 8 p.m., so rolling back into town in the evening makes finding a street spot much easier.
• Pick street or garage on purpose. A garage charges each time you exit, so if you are coming and going, a visitor pass and a metered street spot near your hotel can be the easier move. If you are leaving for the whole day, a garage near your hotel keeps things simple.
• Budget for parking at your destination too. Beach parking on Tybee and in Hilton Head is paid and runs on its own system, so check the local rules and payment options before you go.

You are staying outside downtown

If your hotel is in Midtown, the Southside, or near the airport, drive in once and park for the day. A garage near your first stop is easiest. Street parking south of Gaston Street is generally free if you do not mind a longer walk north.

You have dinner reservations downtown

Evenings around City Market, Broughton Street, and River Street fill up fast. Give yourself an extra 15 to 20 minutes to park, or drop your group at the door while one person finds a spot. Meters north of Liberty Street stop charging at 8 p.m., so a later reservation can mean free street parking.

You are visiting during a festival or major event

St. Patrick’s Day, big concerts, and festival weekends change everything. Garages switch to special event rates and fill early, and some streets close entirely. Arrive early, read every temporary sign, or park south of Gaston Street and walk in.

The Best Way to See Savannah? On Foot.

Here is the honest truth from the locals: your car is great for getting to Tybee, Isle of Hope, and Hilton Head. But once you are downtown, the best thing you can do with it is park it and walk away.

Savannah was made to be explored at walking speed. It is the only way to catch the details you would miss from a car window: the ironwork on a front stoop, the history tucked into each square, the smell of something delicious drifting out of a kitchen down the block.

That is exactly where our walking food tours come in. Each tour takes you through the heart of the Historic District, stopping at some of Savannah’s favorite restaurants for tastings while your guide shares the stories behind the city’s squares, streets, and food. You get the history, the flavor, and the neighborhood, all without worrying about where to park next.

So park the car, lace up your walking shoes, and let us show you around.

Book your Savannah walking food tour today!

Savannah Parking FAQ

Do I need a car in Savannah? Not to explore the Historic District, which is very walkable and served by a free downtown shuttle. A car is helpful for day trips to places like Tybee Island, Isle of Hope, and Hilton Head.

Is street parking free in Savannah on Sundays? Yes. Metered street parking is free citywide on Sundays and on major city holidays.

What time do parking meters stop in downtown Savannah? North of Liberty Street, meters are enforced Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. South of Liberty Street, parking is free after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend.

Where can I buy a Savannah visitor parking pass? At the Mobility and Parking Services office in the Bryan Street Garage (100 E. Bryan St.), at the Savannah Visitor Center, and at some downtown hotels. A 24-hour pass is $15 and a 48-hour pass is $24.

Can I park overnight in Savannah’s parking garages? Yes. All six city-owned garages downtown are open 24 hours and allow overnight parking.

Where should I park an RV or trailer in Savannah? The Savannah Visitor Center lot at 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. has oversized spaces. Just note that the lot closes in the early evening and you cannot retrieve your vehicle after hours.