With no fare required, the Savannah DOT buses are a great option for navigating the city. The free bus system is a practical way to experience the heart of Savannah with no worries about parking or traffic congestion.
We think the free Savannah shuttle buses are a great option for moving around the historic district and beyond. Of course, Savannah is very walkable and you’ll want to walk from spot to spot when you can. But, when your plan is to get from one area of downtown to another this is the way to go.
We’ve got the tips, tricks and information that you need to make the most of the free dot bus system because we use it often.
No matter when you go, you’ll want to start here planning your trip with this Savannah, Georgia Overview.
Savannah DOT buses are strictly transportation
If you want to take a tour of Savannah (and you should) we recommend either of the two primary hop-on hop-off trolleys. They circle the historic district with informative narration by the drivers along the way.
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The orange trolleys are Savannah Hop-On Hop-Off and can be booked here.
The white trolleys are Savannah Trolley Tour and can be booked here.
Anytime you visit a new city you should familiarize yourself with it by taking a tour. Even if you’ve been before, but it has been some time this is a great idea. You’ll learn a lot and get to know the lay of the land. After your tour you’ll be better prepared to choose what sites and areas you want to go back to and explore in more detail.
This is where Savannah’s free trolley buses come in so handy. Save your money and your feet and use them for getting around easily.
Besides the buses we’ve put together a great list of Free Things to Do in Savannah. Talk about a budget friendly trip!
While you’re in Savannah… Tybee Island Tour from Savannah: 3 Ways to See the Island A. Tour and Dolphin Cruise B. Beach Day: All details handled for you C. Savannah Historic District + Tybee Private Tour.
What you need to know about Savannah’s DOT bus system
Read on for all of the details about the routes, the days and hours, and our helpful hints and tips.
The 2 loops
The Downtown Loop stays strictly in the historic district closer to the river. An offshoot at the eastern end runs to the Eastern Wharf area. This loop runs in a clockwise direction.
The Forsyth Loop runs counterclockwise from the historic district past Forsyth Park on the western side through the Victorian District and into the Thomas Square District. At Victory Drive it turns and runs two blocks until it turns again heading back north on Drayton St. It runs past the eastern side of Forsyth Park and then back into the historic district. It turns back, completing the loop at Bryan Street.
This loop runs very close to one of our favorite places to stay in the historic district – Bellwether House.
The days and hours the buses run
As of the publishing of this post the DOT buses run every day from 7am until 7pm. The holidays when it runs 10am – 6:30pm are Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. There is no service on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day.
As of this writing the hours here are accurate while the official site (Connect on the Dot) is not.
Want to visit Savannah but also keep an eye on your spending? You need read How to Visit Savannah on a Budget.
About the actual buses in Savannah’s free DOT system
The buses are purple, so they’re easy to spot. We find them to be well maintained and clean. This is a no-frills ride, but the seats are comfortable enough for the short distances you’ll be traveling.
Tips and hints for using the buses
- The buses run run every 15-20 minutes, so the schedule is somewhat loose. We’ve found them to be a big help when exploring around the city looking for Savannah’s best burger or trying to find great brewery or rooftop bar in the area.
- This is the south with a lot of good ol’ southern hospitality. In many cases a driver will actually wait if he sees you trying to get to the bus. It can’t hurt to give them a wave a smile.
- When riding If there is no one waiting to get on at a stop the driver will go by unless you request a stop. The cords for doing so are easy to reach from any seat on the bus.
Currently planning a trip? Here are some helpful resources:
- Find the best hotel options here.
- Book the cheapest flight here.
- Find tons of tours and activities here.
- Book your rental car here.
More information about Savannah, Georgia
- Savannah in April: Festivals, Experiences and Local Favorites
- Savannah in May
- Savannah in June
- Savannah in July
- Savannah in August
- Savannah in September
- The Best Rooftop Bars
- Haunted Hotels of Savannah
- Are There Any Zoos in Savannah?
- Guide to the Ultimate Savannah Bachelorette Weekend
- The Best Time to Visit Savannah
- Books About Savannah
- Best Savannah area beaches
- Savannah’s Best Burgers
- Savannah at Christmas
- Top 8 Savannah Tours
- How to Spend 3 Perfect Days in Savannah
- St. Simons Island Day Trip from Savannah: A Local’s Guide
Plan the perfect Coastal Georgia Road Trip Itinerary with all of the tips you’ll find here.
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