Savannah on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
It is possible, but rooms are the challenge: the squares, parks, cemetery and ferry are free, while hotels are expensive. A realistic minimum is about US$138 a day per person sharing a room — around US$70 for a bed, US$45 for food, US$15 for sights and US$8 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$70 | US$140 | US$280 |
| Food & drink | US$45 | US$85 | US$150 |
| Sights & tickets | US$15 | US$45 | US$80 |
| Local transport | US$8 | US$20 | US$50 |
| Per person, per day | US$138 | US$290 | US$560 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Savannah day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walking Bull Street through Johnson, Wright, Chippewa, Madison and Monterey squares
- Forsyth Park and its 1858 fountain
- Bonaventure Cemetery
- River Street and Factors Walk
- The free Savannah Belles Ferry across the river
- The Cathedral of St John the Baptist (donation)
Cheap eats
- Diner breakfast — about US$12–18
- Southern lunch plate (fried chicken, mac and cheese) — about US$15–25
- Shrimp and grits at lunch — about US$15–25
- A scoop at Leopold's Ice Cream — a few dollars
- Lowcountry boil or seafood shack meal on Tybee — about US$20–30
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in chain hotels in Midtown or near the airport, about US$110–170 for a double, 10–20 minutes from the Historic District by car. Hostels are few; check rentals in Starland for longer stays.
Getting around cheaply
Walk the Historic District and use the free DOT Express Shuttle and Savannah Belles Ferry. From the airport, rideshares cost about US$30–40. Rent a car for one day for Tybee, Wormsloe and Bonaventure.
A sample budget day
- Morning: walk the squares from Johnson Square to Forsyth Park (free) and coffee (about US$5)
- Lunch: Southern plate (about US$20 with tip)
- Afternoon: Telfair Museums ticket, including the Owens-Thomas House (about US$25–30)
- Evening: River Street, the free ferry and a simple dinner with tip (about US$25)
- Total: about US$138 including a shared hotel room (about US$70 per person) and a short rideshare
More ways to save
- Look for hotels with free parking and breakfast included.
- Picnic in Forsyth Park with food from a grocery store.
- Remember to add tax and an 18–20% tip when comparing restaurant prices.
- Use the free shuttle and walk rather than paying for hop-on hop-off trolleys.
- Visit Bonaventure Cemetery for free instead of a paid tour.
- Travel in winter for lower hotel rates and mild weather.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Can you visit Savannah on a budget?
Yes, with care. The squares, parks, cemetery, shuttle and ferry are free; rooms are the big cost. Plan on about US$138 a day.
Is there free transport in Savannah?
Yes. The DOT Express Shuttle and the Savannah Belles Ferry are free.
Can I drink on the street in Savannah?
Yes, in the Historic District, from a plastic to-go cup of up to 16 oz, but not in glass or in cars.