Getting around Savannah from Hotel Indigo — walking, shuttles, trolleys, buses and rideshares
Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District is a very walkable base — River Street, City Market, and Ellis Square are steps away, and many central museums and squares are within a short walk. For longer trips use Savannah's free dot shuttle and the paid CAT bus network, or grab a rideshare/taxi; the hotel does not run an airport shuttle.
In this guide
Walkable Historic District — what’s nearby on foot
Hotel Indigo Savannah Historic District sits at 201 W Bay St on West Bay Street at the corner of Bay and Barnard, putting the Historic District’s main sights within easy walking distance.
City Market, River Street, Ellis Square, and Rousakis Riverfront Plaza are all essentially steps from the hotel; galleries, shops, and many restaurants are a short stroll away. Larger sites such as Telfair Academy and the Jepson Center are a few blocks’ walk.
- City Market — adjacent to the hotel
- River Street — about 0.1 miles; cobblestone riverfront strolls and riverboat departures
- Ellis Square — directly across from the property
- Forsyth Park — roughly 1.2 miles (about a mile-long walk) for the fountain and green space
- Telfair Academy & Jepson Center — about 0.2 miles
| Attraction | Approx. distance from hotel |
|---|---|
| River Street | 0.1 miles |
| Forsyth Park | 1.2 miles |
| Telfair Academy | 0.2 miles |
Free dot shuttle — easy short hops around downtown
Chatham Area Transit (CAT) runs the free dot Express Shuttle that circulates the Historic District on two loops (Forsyth and Downtown) with roughly 18 stops. The shuttle is useful for short hops if you want to avoid uneven sidewalks or cobblestones.
Service runs frequently: weekdays about 7am–7pm and weekends 10am–6pm. Check CAT’s current schedule and stop map before you travel, as times and loops can change.
- Two loops: Forsyth Loop and Downtown Loop
- Stops roughly every 10 minutes during service hours
- Good for short trips inside the Historic District
| Service | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | About 7:00 AM–7:00 PM |
| Weekends | About 10:00 AM–6:00 PM |
City buses and regional transit (CAT)
Chatham Area Transit operates multiple fixed bus routes across Savannah and Chatham County; these are the most economical option for travel beyond the Historic District. There is a published one-way local fare for CAT routes.
CAT also runs the free downtown shuttle (dot) and the 100X Airport Express bus from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to the downtown transit center; the hotel does not offer a private airport shuttle.
- CAT fixed-route buses cover the city and suburbs — check route maps and times on CAT’s website
- 100X Airport Express provides service to downtown from SAV (not a hotel shuttle)
- Typical local one-way fare is published; verify current fare before boarding
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| CAT fixed-route buses | Citywide service; buy fare per trip |
| 100X Airport Express | Runs between SAV and downtown transit center |
| dot Express Shuttle | Free loops within the Historic District |
Trolley tours and hop-on hop-off options
Narrated trolley tours and hop-on hop-off services operate throughout the Historic District and provide a paid sightseeing alternative to the free shuttle. Companies include Old Town Trolley and other local tour operators.
Trolleys are best if you want a guided overview with multiple hop-off opportunities; they are not a substitute for local buses if you need to travel outside the main tourist loop.
- Hop-on/hop-off trolleys follow common tourist routes in the Historic District
- Trolleys are paid services and offer commentary and scheduled stops
- Useful for first-time visitors who prefer a narrated orientation
| When to choose | Why |
|---|---|
| First-time visitors | Narration and easy hop-off access to major sites |
| Limited walking ability | Covers the district with fewer long walks |
| Sightseeing pace | Structured route with set stops |
Rideshares, taxis, and private cars
Uber and Lyft operate throughout Savannah and are convenient for quick rides to Tybee Island, the airport, or destinations not well served by buses. Taxis and local car services are also available.
If you plan to use a car, note that Hotel Indigo’s on-site parking is valet-only for registered guests; contact the front desk for valet details and after-checkout hourly options.
- Rideshare apps cover downtown and surrounding areas
- Hotel offers valet-only parking for registered guests (contact hotel for current policies)
- No hotel airport shuttle — use 100X Airport Express, taxi, or rideshare for SAV
| Trip | Recommended transport |
|---|---|
| To Savannah/Hilton Head Airport (SAV) | Rideshare, taxi, or 100X Airport Express to downtown transit center |
| To Tybee Island | Rideshare or taxi (no regular public shuttle) |
| Across Historic District | Walk, free dot shuttle, or trolley |
Day trips — beaches, islands, and rail
Tybee Island (Savannah’s beach) is about 17–18 miles from the hotel, typically a 20–30 minute drive depending on traffic; there is no regular scheduled public bus between the Historic District and Tybee, so most visitors use a car, taxi, or rideshare.
The Savannah Amtrak station is a short drive from downtown (about an 8-minute drive); for regional day trips by car, places like Hilton Head and Charleston are reachable but require more driving time.
- Tybee Island — 17–18 miles; car or rideshare recommended
- Savannah Amtrak station — about an 8-minute drive from the hotel
- Hilton Head and Charleston — longer drives; plan for 45–60 minutes (Hilton Head) or ~2 hours (Charleston)
| Destination | Typical travel option from hotel |
|---|---|
| Tybee Island | Rideshare or rental car |
| Savannah Amtrak station | Short taxi or rideshare |
| Hilton Head Island | Car or private transfer |
