What I’d Do Differently: Savannah Edition

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

Four days in Savannah and Hilton Head, March 2023. Beautiful, great food, and we would go back. But we would do a few things differently.

Skip Hilton Head, Add Tybee Island Time

We spent a day at Hilton Head on a resort day pass ($75 each). It was fine, but Tybee Island is 20 minutes from downtown, has a more relaxed vibe, and costs nothing to visit. We wish we had spent that day at Tybee instead.

Do the Trolley Tour on Day One

We did it on our last day. It gives you a great orientation that would have helped us focus our walking time earlier in the trip.

Book Wormsloe for the Morning

We went in the afternoon and the light was flat. The iconic avenue of live oaks photographs dramatically better in the morning light.

Take the Riverboat Cruise at Sunset

We took it in the early afternoon. The sunset cruises on the Georgia Queen are apparently the move: better light, cooler temperatures, more atmosphere.

The Bottom Line

Savannah is an underrated domestic trip. Affordable flights from the Northeast, walkable historic district, outstanding food. We would just swap Hilton Head for more Tybee time.

Savannah and Hilton Head: A Long Weekend in the Lowcountry has the full itinerary.

Travel Tools We Actually Use

• eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Savannah Georgia — Skip the airport SIM card line. Buy before you land, activate when you arrive. We use this every trip now.
• Car Rental: Compare car rental prices for Savannah Georgia — We compare across all major rental companies here. Book early for shoulder season.
• Travel Insurance: — Comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, medical, and baggage. We learned the hard way that skipping insurance is not worth it.
• VPN: — Public wifi at hotels and airports is sketchy. This keeps your banking apps and passwords safe.
• Money Transfer: — Best exchange rates, no hidden fees. We use the multi-currency card for every trip.

Book Tours and Activities

• Savannah Ghost Tour
• Savannah Trolley Tour
• Tybee Island Day Trip

Gear We Recommend After Learning the Hard Way

• Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack – Carry-on sized, opens like a suitcase.
• Anker Nano Power Bank – Essential for long days of navigating.
• Airalo eSIM – International data without swapping SIM cards.
• Packing Cubes (6-Pack) – Changed how we pack permanently.
• Universal Travel Adapter – One adapter for every country.

Find Your Next Flight

Plan Your Trip to Savannah

Ready to book? Search flights to Savannah to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Savannah to find the best deals for your dates.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, GetYourGuide.

Plan your own trip: guides I actually use

More from this region:

• Savannah and Hilton Head: 4-Day Lowcountry Weekend Itinerary
• Savannah + Hilton Head 4-Day Long Weekend: Real Itinerary, Real Receipts
• Where to Eat in Savannah: Every Restaurant We Tried
• Lowcountry on a Budget: $800/person Shoulder Season Plan
• Savannah 2-Day Itinerary: How to Skip Hilton Head If You Can’t Do the Full 4-Day Long Weekend

Cards, lounges & insurance:

• Best Airport Lounges I Have Actually Used — From Changi to Istanbul
• Is Priority Pass Worth It in 2026 — My Honest Review After 15 Airports
• Best Travel Credit Cards for 2026: The Cards I Actually Use and Why
• Best Travel Insurance for 2026: What I Actually Recommend After 15 International Trips
• The Credit Card Points Strategy That Funded $15,000 of Travel

Finding cheap flights:

• Going vs Dollar Flight Club vs Thrifty Traveler: Which Flight Deal Service Is Worth It in 2026?
• When to Book Flights by Region — The Booking Windows That Actually Save Money
• How to Find Error Fares and Flight Deals — The Services I Actually Use
• Google Flights vs Skyscanner vs Momondo — Which Actually Finds the Cheapest Flights

Staying connected abroad:

• Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One
• Best eSIM for Travel 2026 — Holafly vs Airalo vs Nomad

Travel gear I actually use:

• Best Portable Chargers for Travel in 2026: Which Size You Actually Need
• My Exact Travel Tech Setup After 15 International Trips
• Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2026: Tested on 40+ Flights
• Best Travel Backpacks for 2026: The 5 I Have Actually Used
• Phone Photography Tips for Travel: How to Take Great Photos With Just Your iPhone