In Savannah, the right ride depends on the trip. For short hops around the Historic District, walk or take the free dot shuttle. For a quick ride across town, a city-licensed taxi on the capped meter or an app ride is usually the cheapest door-to-door choice. A private car with a chauffeur makes sense when the evening has several stops, when a group wants to stay together, or when you need a car waiting for you outside a restaurant, a wedding or a beach house on Tybee.
This guide sets out the verified taxi rules, what we can and cannot say about app pricing, and the fixed Elly8.net prices, then goes trip by trip. Elly8.net hourly cars in Savannah start at US$95 an hour in a Business Sedan, three-hour minimum, and the evening out package runs from US$475 to US$950 per vehicle, all-in. 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.
Should you take a taxi, an Uber or a private car in Savannah?
Take a taxi or an app ride for a quick trip across town, and walk or use the free dot shuttle inside the Historic District. Book a private car when you have several stops, a group, a fixed time or a long evening: Elly8.net hourly cars start at US$95 an hour, three-hour minimum, per vehicle, all-in.
The taxi meter in Savannah is capped by the city, which makes it easy to estimate a fare before you ride. App rides are priced when you request them and move with demand. A private car is priced per vehicle before you book, which suits planning more than spontaneity.
See Savannah prices and reserve
How Savannah taxis are priced
City-licensed taxis in Savannah charge by the meter within maximum rates that the City of Savannah sets as a condition of licensing. The figures below are from the airport's taxi rate page, which applies to trips that start or end within the city of Savannah.
- First mile: no more than US$6.47.
- Each mile after that: US$2.69. Mileage rates adjust each year on March 1 in line with the Consumer Price Index.
- Extra passengers: US$1 for each passenger beyond the first.
- Fuel surcharge: an optional US$1 when local regular gas reaches US$3.50 a gallon, and US$2 at US$4.00.
- Waiting time: US$25 an hour, plus US$0.42 a minute for traffic delays.
- Bags: no charge for luggage that fits inside the cab or its cargo area.
- Shared rides: passengers with different destinations split the metered fare in proportion.
Two further points matter for visitors. The rate page notes that drivers have the flexibility to price below the maximum to compete with rideshare. And the city can authorise special temporary rates during certain festivals, so a fare during St. Patrick's week may differ from an ordinary weekend.
| Trip length | Maximum meter fare, one passenger | Four passengers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mile | US$6.47 | US$9.47 |
| 2 miles | US$9.16 | US$12.16 |
| 3 miles | US$11.85 | US$14.85 |
| 5 miles | US$17.23 | US$20.23 |
| 10 miles | US$30.68 | US$33.68 |
These are calculated from the published maximum rates, before any fuel surcharge, waiting or tip. They are the ceiling, not a quote; a driver may charge less.
Uber and Lyft in Savannah
App rides work as they do in any US city: you request a car, the app shows the price, and the driver collects you. The price is not published in advance; it depends on distance, time and how many people are requesting rides at that moment. On a quiet weekday afternoon it is often similar to the taxi, and on a busy Saturday night around City Market or during a festival it can rise.
Two Savannah-specific things are worth knowing. Pickups in the Historic District can be slow to arrange on one-way streets around the squares, so agree a corner with the driver rather than a mid-block address. And on big event days, when streets close, an app driver can only reach the edge of the closure, the same as anyone else.
The free options: the dot shuttle and the Belles Ferry
Savannah has something most cities do not: free transit through the area visitors use most. Chatham Area Transit runs the downtown dot shuttle, funded by the City of Savannah, every ten minutes on two loops serving 18 stops in the Historic District, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The Savannah Belles Ferry crosses the river to Hutchinson Island at no charge. Regular CAT buses cost US$1.50 a ride, US$3 for a day pass and US$14 for a seven-day pass, according to CAT's fares page.
If you are staying in the Historic District and spending the day between museums, squares, River Street and Forsyth Park, you may not need any car at all.
What a private car costs in Savannah
Elly8.net prices are per vehicle, fixed and all-in, including the chauffeur, taxes and standard gratuity. Tolls, parking and waiting beyond the included time are billed at cost.
| Vehicle | Passengers | By the hour (3-hour minimum) | Evening out and event night | Full day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Sedan | up to 3 | US$95 | US$475 | US$700 |
| Business SUV | up to 6 | US$120 | US$600 | US$885 |
| First Class SUV | up to 6 | US$145 | US$725 | US$1,070 |
| First Class Sedan | up to 3 | US$155 | US$775 | US$1,145 |
| Executive Sprinter | up to 12 | US$190 | US$950 | US$1,400 |
The evening out package costs the same as five hours on the hourly rate, which makes the arithmetic simple: it is the right booking for a long night, and the hourly rate is better for a shorter one. A private city highlights tour costs from US$380 in a Business Sedan to US$760 in an Executive Sprinter.
Trip by trip: which ride fits
Around the Historic District by day
Walk, or take the free dot shuttle. Squares, house museums, River Street and Forsyth Park are close together, and no car is faster than your feet on a sunny afternoon.
Dinner across town for two
A taxi or an app ride. A two-mile ride has a maximum meter fare of US$9.16 for one passenger and US$10.16 for two, before tip. A private car for a single short dinner trip is not good value.
A long evening with several stops, six friends
This is where the private car starts to win. Two taxis each way, at different times, with someone always waiting at the curb, is the alternative. A Business SUV for up to six on the evening out package is US$600 per vehicle; split six ways that is US$100 each, as arithmetic only, with the car waiting outside every stop. Chauffeurs follow local rules on alcohol in vehicles, and the ride is never planned around drinking. For bigger groups, see our Savannah party bus guide.
A beach day on Tybee Island
Tybee Island is east of the city, past Fort Pulaski. A taxi each way works for two people with a beach bag, though the waiting rate makes keeping it there expensive. For a family with a cooler, chairs and children, a Business SUV by the hour, four hours at US$480, or two one-way transfers priced in the web booker, keeps the gear and the seats in one place.
A wedding weekend
Private cars, planned in advance. The Executive Sprinter for the wedding party, a First Class Sedan for the couple, and guest shuttles between hotel blocks and the reception. Taxis and apps are fine for guests who leave early, but not for the photo timeline. See wedding limousine and guest shuttles.
A day trip to Hilton Head
A full-day chauffeur, from US$700 in a Business Sedan, or a one-way transfer priced in the booker. Ask a taxi for a quote before setting out on a longer trip, and remember the waiting rate if you want the car to stay.
A first afternoon of sightseeing
The private city highlights tour, from US$380 in a Business Sedan to US$760 in an Executive Sprinter, covers the squares, Forsyth Park, River Street, the cathedral and the historic cemeteries in one loop. It suits visitors with limited time, older travellers and anyone who would rather see the city before deciding where to walk. See private city tours.
Business meetings around the port and Pooler
A private car on an hourly or roadshow booking. The corporate roadshow day is from US$855 in a Business Sedan, with the car waiting between meetings. See corporate car service.
Side by side
| City taxi | Uber / Lyft | CAT bus and dot shuttle | Elly8.net private car | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Capped meter: US$6.47 first mile, US$2.69 per mile | Set by the app on request | US$1.50 bus; dot and ferry free | Per vehicle, fixed: from US$95 an hour |
| Booking | Hail, rank or phone ahead | App on demand | Turn up | Pre-booked online |
| Waiting | US$25 an hour | Not designed for it | Next departure | Chauffeur waits on hourly bookings |
| Groups | One cab per few people | One car per few people | Seats for all, no door-to-door | One vehicle for up to 12 |
| Child seats | Bring your own | Bring your own | Not applicable | On request, fitted before pickup |
| Best for | Quick rides across town | Quick rides, off-peak | Historic District sightseeing | Evenings, groups, weddings, day trips |
When the taxi or app is the right call
Be fair to the alternatives. Use a taxi or an app ride when you are one or two people going one way, when the trip is short, when you do not need the car to wait, and when nobody needs a child seat. In those cases a capped meter or an app fare will almost always cost less than the three-hour minimum on a private car.
When a private car wins
- Several stops in one evening. The car waits; nobody stands on a corner looking for the next ride.
- Groups. One Sprinter keeps up to twelve people together for US$190 an hour.
- Families. Child seats are fitted before pickup on request.
- Fixed times. Weddings, tours, tee times and meetings.
- Event weeks. When the St. Patrick's Day crowds or a concert at the Enmarket Arena fill the streets, a pre-arranged pickup point beats searching for a ride.
For the airport, the comparison is a little different; our Savannah airport taxi vs Uber vs private car guide covers SAV, and the Savannah airport car service walkthrough explains the meet and greet. For general trade-offs, see chauffeur vs taxi and chauffeur vs Uber and Lyft.
How to book a private car
- Enter the pickup and drop-off, or choose hourly and add every stop in the notes.
- Choose the vehicle by passengers and bags; capacities are on the fleet page.
- Press Reserve now on a fixed price, or use the web booker. Confirmation comes by email.
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. Heading up the coast? See our Charleston prices, or Jacksonville to the south.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi in Savannah?
City-licensed taxis may charge no more than US$6.47 for the first mile and US$2.69 for each mile after, plus US$1 per extra passenger, with an optional fuel surcharge when gas prices are high. Waiting is US$25 an hour. A two-mile ride for one person has a maximum meter fare of US$9.16, before tip.
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi in Savannah?
It depends on the moment. App fares are set when you request the ride and rise with demand, while the taxi meter is capped by the city. On a quiet afternoon the two are often close; on a busy night or festival weekend, check both. Drivers can also price below the taxi maximum.
Do you need a car in the Historic District?
Usually not for daytime sightseeing. The Historic District is compact, and the free dot shuttle runs every ten minutes on two loops serving 18 stops, with the free Belles Ferry crossing to Hutchinson Island. A car helps for evenings with several stops, trips beyond downtown and anyone who finds walking difficult.
How much is a private driver in Savannah?
An Elly8.net hourly chauffeur costs US$95 an hour in a Business Sedan, US$120 in a Business SUV, US$145 in a First Class SUV, US$155 in a First Class Sedan and US$190 in an Executive Sprinter, with a three-hour minimum. Prices are per vehicle and all-in, including taxes and standard gratuity.
Can taxis charge more during St. Patrick's Day?
The city can authorise special temporary taxi rates and permits during certain festivals, according to the published rate rules. Expect street closures along the parade route on March 17 and heavy demand for every kind of ride. If you need a car that day, book well ahead and plan to walk the last blocks.
Which option is best for a group of eight?
One Executive Sprinter, which seats up to twelve with luggage, keeps the group together at US$190 an hour or US$950 for the evening out package, per vehicle. Splitting into taxis or app rides works for a single trip, but on an evening with several stops the group will rarely arrive together.
