For one or two people with light bags landing in the daytime, a Savannah airport taxi is the simplest and usually the cheapest way downtown: the city caps the meter, and at the maximum rates the 10-mile (16 km) trip from Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) to the Historic District comes to about US$31 for one passenger. An app ride from the north entrance of baggage claim may cost a similar amount when demand is low, and more when it is high.
A pre-booked car, from US$135 per vehicle all-in on Elly8.net, wins in different situations: families who need child seats, groups who want one vehicle, wedding parties, golfers bound for Hilton Head, late arrivals and anyone who wants to be met inside with a name board. This guide puts the options side by side so you can choose before you land. Rides in Savannah are operated by licensed, commercially insured local chauffeur partners vetted through the Limousine Worldwide network; Elly8.net takes the booking, fixes the price and runs the 24/7 desk.
Which is cheaper from SAV: a taxi, an Uber or a private car?
For one traveller, a taxi on Savannah's capped meter is about US$31 to the Historic District at the maximum rate, before surcharges and tip, and an app ride may be similar off-peak. A pre-booked Elly8.net car costs US$135 to US$355 per vehicle, all-in, and becomes competitive for families and groups.
Price is only part of the decision. Where you meet each option, how long you wait, whether your bags fit and whether the price can move all matter after a flight. The sections below cover each one at SAV.
See Savannah prices and reserve
The options at the SAV curb
The airport's ground transportation page sets out where each service is found.
- Taxis wait on the lower level outside baggage claim and are available on demand to any destination, including for late-night arrivals. The airport lists around twenty taxi companies with phone numbers, and each one takes advance reservations.
- Uber and Lyft pick up at the north entrance of baggage claim.
- Limousines and sedans must be arranged before you arrive; rates are set by the provider. An Elly8.net booking falls in this category, with your chauffeur waiting inside baggage claim.
- The city bus. Chatham Area Transit says riders can take the 3 West Chatham route to and from the airport, on its visiting Savannah page, at the US$1.50 local fare.
If you are driving yourself and parking, check the airport's alerts first: it notes that the Economy North lot is closed for maintenance through November 18, 2026.
The SAV taxi: how the meter works
SAV taxis charge by the meter, within maximum rates the City of Savannah sets for trips that start or end in the city. According to the airport's taxi rate page:
- no more than US$6.47 for the first mile and US$2.69 for each mile after that;
- US$1 for each passenger beyond the first;
- an optional fuel surcharge of US$1 when local regular gas reaches US$3.50 a gallon, or US$2 at US$4.00;
- waiting time of US$25 an hour, plus US$0.42 a minute for traffic delays;
- no charge for bags that fit inside the cab or its cargo area.
The airport also notes that drivers have the flexibility to price competitively with rideshare, so the meter maximum is a ceiling rather than a quote.
| SAV to the Historic District, about 10 miles | Maximum meter fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 passenger | US$30.68 | Before fuel surcharge, waiting and tip |
| 2 passengers | US$31.68 | US$1 for the second passenger |
| 3 passengers | US$32.68 | Bags free if they fit |
| 4 passengers | US$33.68 | Depends on the cab's seats and trunk |
These are calculated from the published maximum rates. The taxi is a genuinely good deal for a small party with luggage that fits, and the meter cap protects you from the worst surprises.
Uber and Lyft at SAV
App rides at SAV meet you at the north entrance of baggage claim. You request the ride once you have your bags, the app quotes a price, and a driver accepts. Fares are not published; they depend on distance, time and demand. Off-peak, an app ride downtown may cost about the same as the taxi. On a festival weekend, a busy Friday evening or when several flights land together, the price and the wait can both rise.
The app suits travellers who already use it, are going a short distance with a suitcase or two, and do not need a child seat. It is less suited to groups who need more than one car, since the cars arrive separately, and to families, since standard app rides do not come with fitted child seats.
The bus: cheapest, with conditions
The 3 West Chatham route serves the airport at US$1.50 a ride, with a day pass at US$3, according to CAT's fares page. It is the cheapest option by far for a solo traveller with a backpack and flexible time. Check CAT's current schedules and how to connect to your destination before you fly, and expect the trip to take longer than a car.
The pre-booked car: what the price includes
An Elly8.net car from SAV to the Historic District costs US$135 in a Business Sedan, US$180 in a Business SUV, US$220 in a First Class SUV, US$240 in a First Class Sedan and US$355 in an Executive Sprinter, one way, per vehicle. The price includes the chauffeur, vehicle, taxes, standard gratuity, flight tracking and meet and greet. Tolls, parking and waiting beyond the included time are billed at cost.
The difference from the taxi and the app is not the car; it is the arrangement. The chauffeur is already waiting inside baggage claim when you land, the price was confirmed before you flew, child seats are fitted on request, and the vehicle is sized for your bags. Our Savannah airport car service walkthrough explains each step.
Side by side at SAV
| Option | SAV to the Historic District | Where you meet it | Price can change? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City taxi | About US$31 at the maximum meter rate for one, plus extras | Lower level, outside baggage claim | Meter runs; fuel surcharge possible | Walk-up arrivals, solo or couple |
| Uber / Lyft | Set by the app when you request | North entrance of baggage claim | Yes, with demand | Off-peak, light bags |
| CAT 3 West Chatham bus | US$1.50 per person | Check CAT for the stop and schedule | No | Solo travellers with time |
| Elly8.net Business Sedan | US$135 per vehicle, all-in | Inside baggage claim, name board | No, fixed when you book | Late arrivals, couples, fixed budgets |
| Elly8.net Business SUV | US$180 per vehicle, all-in | Inside baggage claim | No | Families, golf bags, up to 6 |
| Elly8.net Executive Sprinter | US$355 per vehicle, all-in | Inside baggage claim | No | Wedding parties, groups of 7 to 12 |
By party size: the fair comparison
Elly8.net prices are per vehicle. Dividing by the number of travellers is arithmetic for comparison only.
- One traveller. The taxi, at about US$31 at the maximum rate, or an app ride off-peak. A US$135 car is hard to justify unless you need it for a reason other than price.
- A couple. Still the taxi, about US$32 at the maximum rate. The car makes sense if you land late, want to be met inside or are arriving for a wedding weekend.
- A family of four with car seats. A Business SUV at US$180, or US$45 each as arithmetic, with seats fitted before pickup and room for the stroller. A taxi works if you bring and install your own seats and everything fits.
- Six golfers heading to Hilton Head. Two or three taxis or app rides, each with a different fare and arrival time, or one Business SUV priced in the booker for the island address, with six bags confirmed.
- Ten wedding guests. Three or four taxis, or one Executive Sprinter at US$355, US$35.50 each as arithmetic, with everyone and the garment bags arriving together.
Hilton Head from SAV
The airport serves Hilton Head Island as well as Savannah, and a lot of passengers head straight there. For a taxi, ask for a fare before you set off. For an app, the price appears when you request. For a fixed price, enter your resort or villa in the web booker and it returns an all-in fare at once, with the same meet and greet. Golfers should choose an SUV or the Executive Sprinter so the clubs fit.
Departures: getting back to SAV
Every one-way Elly8.net airport fare is the same fixed price in either direction, so the Historic District to SAV is also US$135 to US$355. A round trip booked with your arrival costs from US$260 in a Business Sedan to US$675 in an Executive Sprinter, less than two one-way fares.
Taxis can also be reserved in advance by calling a company on the airport's list, and app rides can be requested from your inn. Allow extra time on event weekends, when streets around the squares are slow.
When the taxi or the app is the right call
- You are one or two people with bags that fit in a cab.
- You land in the daytime and are happy to queue or wait a few minutes.
- You do not need child seats.
- You are going straight to a downtown hotel, not a gated home or a resort island.
When a pre-booked car wins
- Late arrivals. The airport says taxis serve late-night arrivals, and they do; a car already waiting for your tracked flight simply removes the uncertainty.
- Families. Child seats are fitted on request before pickup.
- Groups and wedding parties. One Executive Sprinter for up to twelve, rather than a convoy.
- Hilton Head and Tybee. A fixed fare to the door, with the bags sized in advance.
- Corporate travel. A corporate account adds monthly invoicing and saved traveller profiles.
For trips around town after you arrive, see our Savannah taxi vs Uber vs private car guide. The general trade-offs are on chauffeur vs taxi and Uber Black vs a pre-booked chauffeur, and our airport transfers page explains the standard in every city.
How to book
- Enter SAV with your flight number and the drop-off address.
- Choose the vehicle by passengers and bags; see the fleet page.
- Press Reserve now, or use the web booker. Confirmation comes by email, then the chauffeur's details.
Cancellation is free more than 72 hours before pickup; 10% at 72 hours or less; 50% at 48 hours or less; 100% at 24 hours or less or for a no-show. Refunds go to the original card.
Elly8.net is a member of LimousineWorldwide.Directory, LimousineAssociation.International, HotelsWorldwide.Directory and VacationsWorldwide.Directory. Elly8.net books the car only; for flights and hotels our travel partner is BookingWorldwide.net. We also have fixed prices in Charleston, Jacksonville and Atlanta.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Savannah airport to downtown?
At the city's maximum meter rates, the 10-mile trip to the Historic District comes to about US$31 for one passenger and about US$34 for four, before any fuel surcharge, waiting or tip. Drivers may charge less, since the airport notes they can price competitively with rideshare. Bags that fit inside the cab are free.
Where do taxis and Uber pick up at SAV?
Taxis wait on the lower level outside baggage claim and are available on demand, including for late-night arrivals. Uber and Lyft pick up at the north entrance of baggage claim. A pre-booked Elly8.net chauffeur meets you inside baggage claim with a name board, so there is no curb to find.
Is there a bus from Savannah airport?
Yes. Chatham Area Transit says riders can take the 3 West Chatham route to and from the airport, at the US$1.50 local fare or with a US$3 day pass. Check CAT's schedules and connections to your destination before you fly; it is the cheapest option but slower than a car, and best with light luggage.
Can a taxi to the airport be booked in advance?
The airport lists its taxi companies with phone numbers and says reservations can be made in advance with each one. For a fixed price in writing, an Elly8.net car to SAV costs the same as the arrival fare, from US$135 in a Business Sedan, and is booked online with email confirmation.
Is a private car worth it for a family?
Often, yes. A Business SUV for up to six passengers and six bags costs US$180 per vehicle to the Historic District, all-in, with child seats fitted on request before pickup. A taxi can be cheaper if everyone and everything fits and you bring your own seats, but the SUV removes the guesswork at the curb.
How much is a car from SAV to Hilton Head?
Hilton Head addresses are priced in the Elly8.net web booker: enter your resort, villa or home and it returns a fixed, all-in price per vehicle straight away, with flight tracking and meet and greet included. For a taxi, ask the driver for a fare before you leave; for an app, the price appears when you request.
