Parking in Savannah Historic District: Rates, Garages and Map
Parking in Savannah Historic District starts with choosing a space near your first stop. This guide compares parking garages, metered street spaces, and public lots by location, cost, and access. For a day visit, compare your total parking cost and walking distance to nearby attractions. For an overnight stay, check parking permission, return access, and charges for leaving and coming back.
Start with the destination comparison table to find options near River Street, City Market, Broughton Street, or Forsyth Park. Then use the parking map and entrance directions to plan your arrival. Before leaving your car, check payment hours, time limits, and posted restrictions. Keep a second parking option in mind if your first choice fills up.
Where Should You Park in Savannah’s Historic District?
Choose parking near your first stop, then compare the full visit cost and walking route. Consider Bryan Street Garage for River Street and Whitaker Street Garage for City Market. Your stay duration and walking needs should guide your choice. Overnight visitors should also confirm access and re-entry conditions.
Use the table below to narrow your options. Bryan Street Garage has entrances on Drayton and Abercorn Streets. The city lists access around the clock and publishes overnight charging periods. Confirm arrangements for your intended stay before arrival.
For Forsyth Park, compare the small park lots before choosing a northern garage. Visit Savannah identifies lots near the southern tennis courts and eastern splash pad. Spaces are limited.
Calculate your walk to the specific attraction entrance, rather than its general map location. Allow additional time for crossings, elevators, and riverfront access.
Your destination or need | Parking option to compare | Vehicle entrance | Walking route or estimate status | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
River Street | Bryan Street Garage | Drayton Street or Abercorn Street, between Bay and Bryan Streets | Depends on your River Street destination; pedestrian route timing remains unverified | Check your route down to the riverfront. |
City Market and Ellis Square | Whitaker Street Garage | Whitaker Street at West Bay Lane | Garage serves Ellis Square; time to individual City Market businesses varies | Weekend charging periods run from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m. |
Broughton Street | Bryan Street Garage | Drayton Street or Abercorn Street | Walk south toward Broughton Street; your destination determines the distance | Check current charges before choosing a longer stay. |
Forsyth Park | Southern park lot near the tennis courts | East Park Avenue, opposite The Sentient Bean | Direct park access; the fountain requires a longer walk within the park | Check posted restrictions and available spaces. |
Several hours of sightseeing | Whitaker Street Garage for a City Market starting point | Whitaker Street at West Bay Lane | Depends on your sightseeing route | Compare the full stay cost, including applicable charging periods. |
Overnight stay | Bryan Street Garage | Drayton Street or Abercorn Street | Depends on your accommodation | Confirm stay duration and re-entry charges at (912) 651-6477. |
Historic District Parking Map and Entrance Directions
This guide covers parking around River Street, City Market, Broughton Street, and the squares north of Forsyth Park. Bryan Street and Whitaker Street garages serve this central area. Forsyth Park’s southern lot serves the park’s southern end, farther from the riverfront.
Open the City of Savannah parking map hosted by CAT for an overview of streets and parking locations. The map shows a July 9, 2018 revision date. Use it for orientation, not current rates, availability, or shuttle routes. Check the city’s parking information before travelling.
Use the entrance details below when setting your destination. Bryan Street Garage’s street address differs from its vehicle entrances. Follow posted signs when approaching any facility. Plan your walking route separately, especially when heading toward River Street.
| Featured parking | Address or location | Vehicle entrance | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan Street Garage | 100 East Bryan Street | Drayton Street or Abercorn Street, between Bay and Bryan Streets. | Directions to Bryan Street Garage |
| Whitaker Street Garage | 7 Whitaker Street | Whitaker Street at West Bay Lane. | Directions to Whitaker Street Garage |
| Forsyth Park southern lot | Southern park edge near the tennis courts | East Park Avenue, opposite The Sentient Bean. | Locate the southern parking lot |
Public Parking in Savannah’s Historic District
Public parking in Savannah’s Historic District includes garages, surface lots, and metered street spaces. Garages suit longer visits, while street spaces can work for nearby stops. Surface lots avoid garage height restrictions. Public access does not always mean city ownership. Private operators set their own prices and conditions.
Parking Garages in Savannah’s Historic District
The five city garages below serve the central district. Compare their locations with your first destination before choosing.
Garage | Vehicle entrance or verified location | Nearby destinations | Published access hours | Clearance | Official details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bryan Street | Drayton or Abercorn Street, between Bay and Bryan Streets | Reynolds Square, River Street | 24 hours daily | Confirm with operator | |
Whitaker Street | Whitaker Street at West Bay Lane | Ellis Square, City Market | 24 hours daily | Confirm with operator | |
State Street | 100 East State Street; entrance lane not confirmed | Broughton Street, Owens-Thomas House | 24 hours daily | Confirm with operator | |
Robert E. Robinson | Jefferson Street entrance; listed address: 132 Montgomery Street | Telfair Academy, Jepson Center | 24 hours daily | Confirm with operator | |
Liberty Street | 301 West Liberty Street; entrance lane not confirmed | Liberty Street, western district | 24 hours daily | Confirm with operator |
City facility pages publish these operating hours. Cashier schedules differ from garage access hours. Confirm temporary access changes before a late return. Current clearance figures were unavailable in the reviewed facility listings.
For detailed comparisons, see our Savannah parking garages guide.
Public Parking Lots
The city operates the Visitor Center lot at 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, along the district’s western edge. Its listing gives Monday through Saturday hours of 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The first hour is free, followed by $1 per hour. Overnight parking is prohibited for every vehicle. Special events can change access and charges. The listing does not identify the vehicle entrance separately.
For Forsyth Park, Visit Savannah identifies small lots near the southern tennis courts and eastern splash pad. Check entrance signs for operating rules.
Metered Street Parking
Street parking can suit a short visit when you find a space near your destination. Zone 1 prices reach $2.50 hourly; Zone 2 prices reach $1.50 hourly. The city’s zone summary lists no general time limit. Always check local signs for loading restrictions, street sweeping, and temporary closures.
How Much Does Parking in the Historic District Cost?
City garage daytime rates range from $1 to $2 hourly among the five options below. Street meter prices reach $2.50 hourly, depending on the zone. Your total depends on arrival time, departure time, and any event pricing. Compare the complete visit cost before choosing.
Hourly Rates, Evening Charges and Weekend Pricing
Parking option | Hourly charge | Evening period and charge | Weekend period and charge | Maximum and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bryan Street, State Street, Robinson garages | $2; weekdays, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Monday through Thursday: $2; Friday: $5. Each period runs 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. | $5 each Saturday or Sunday period, 5 a.m. to next 5 a.m. | Summary lists $20 daily maximum Monday through Thursday |
Liberty Street Garage | $1; weekdays, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Monday through Thursday: $2; Friday: $5. Each period runs 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. | $5 each Saturday or Sunday period, 5 a.m. to next 5 a.m. | Summary lists $14 daily maximum Monday through Thursday |
Whitaker Street Garage | $2; weekdays, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Monday through Thursday: $2; Friday: $10. Each period runs 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. | $10 each Saturday or Sunday period, 5 a.m. to next 5 a.m. | Summary lists $24 daily maximum Monday through Thursday |
Street meters | Zone 1: up to $2.50; Zone 2: up to $1.50 | Depends on enforcement area | Saturday charges apply north of Liberty Street | Check the meter and posted restrictions |
Visitor Center lot | First hour free, then $1 hourly | Published hours end at 6:30 p.m. | Saturday falls within published operating days; Sunday hours unspecified | No overnight parking |
Garage hourly charges include partial hours. Some individual facility pages differ from the summary on evening charges and maximums. Confirm those details before relying on a cap. Do not treat a daily maximum as a rolling 24-hour price.
The garage summary lists $25 special-event pricing. Check the entrance board because event charges replace ordinary pricing.
Example Costs for a Short Visit and a Full Day
These examples assume ordinary Tuesday pricing, one entry, and no special event:
- 10 a.m. to noon: Liberty costs $2. Bryan Street costs $4.
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Liberty costs $8. Bryan Street costs $16.
Both examples stay within daytime hours and below the listed maximums. Extra time can trigger another hourly charge or evening pricing.
When Is Street Parking Free?
North of Liberty Street, meter charges apply Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Outside those hours, including Sundays, ordinary meter charges do not apply.
South of Liberty Street, enforcement runs Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ordinary meter charges therefore do not apply during evenings or weekends.
Free meter hours do not cancel loading restrictions, street sweeping, or temporary parking bans. Garages and private lots follow separate payment rules.
Parking Near Popular Historic District Attractions
Choose parking near the attraction where your visit begins. Check its exact entrance, since a general map pin may lead elsewhere. Consider the return walk, especially after dinner or a walking tour.
Parking Near River Street
Compare Bryan Street Garage for central River Street with Whitaker Street Garage for a western waterfront starting point. Bryan’s vehicle entrances sit on Drayton and Abercorn Streets. Whitaker’s entrance sits at West Bay Lane.
Plan your descent from Bay Street before leaving the garage. Historic stairs and cobblestone ramps connect the upper streets with the waterfront. Public elevators offer alternatives to those stairs.
The central elevator stands between City Hall and the Hyatt Regency. Farther west, another stands beside The Alida’s grand staircase at 412 Williamson Street. Check elevator access before relying on either route. A shorter map distance may involve a less suitable descent.
Parking Near City Market and Ellis Square
Whitaker Street Garage, beneath Ellis Square, provides a practical starting point for City Market. Follow pedestrian exit signs toward the square, then continue west toward the market.
Robinson Garage offers an alternative when your visit also includes the Telfair museums. Telfair identifies this garage beside the Jepson Center and Telfair Academy.
Save your restaurant’s entrance location before walking. Allow time to leave the garage and reach your reservation.
Parking Near Broughton Street and the Central Squares
Compare State Street Garage for eastern Broughton Street and nearby Oglethorpe Square. Telfair places it across the square from the Owens-Thomas House.
For western Broughton Street, compare Whitaker Street Garage and walk south from Ellis Square. Choose according to your shop’s address, rather than treating Broughton Street as one destination.
For walking tours, use the operator’s exact meeting instructions. A square’s center, a monument, and a nearby business entrance can be different meeting points.
Parking Near Forsyth Park and the Southern Historic District
Compare the southern park lot near the tennis courts with legal street spaces around your intended park entrance. Visit Savannah also identifies a small eastern lot near the pavilion and splash pad.
Check individual street signs for payment requirements, sweeping schedules, and temporary restrictions. Do not assume every surrounding curb permits parking.
Your walking time depends on whether you want the fountain, playground, or southern playing fields. Check a pedestrian route to that specific destination. Northern garages add a longer approach when Forsyth Park is your first stop.
Overnight Parking in Savannah’s Historic District
Savannah publishes overnight parking arrangements for Bryan Street, Robinson, and Whitaker garages, including a monthly overnight plan. That plan does not establish the terms for a visitor’s single overnight stay. Confirm your dates directly with the garage. A facility’s 24-hour opening schedule does not establish its maximum parking duration.
What to Confirm Before Leaving Your Car Overnight
Before choosing overnight parking in Savannah’s Historic District, ask the operator:
- Can your vehicle remain throughout your planned stay?
- What maximum stay applies?
- Which daytime, evening, and weekend charges will you pay?
- When can you access pedestrian doors and vehicle exits?
- Will leaving and returning start another paid session?
- Will events, maintenance, or temporary closures affect access?
Provide your arrival and departure times when requesting a total. Do not treat an evening flat rate as payment for the following daytime period.
Bryan Street Garage lists (912) 651-6477 for questions. The Visitor Center lot prohibits overnight parking for all vehicles.
Comparing Hotel Parking with Public Parking
Compare both options over the same arrival and departure period. Include taxes, additional parking sessions, and any charges after hotel checkout.
Some hotels include return access. For example, Holiday Inn Savannah Historic District publishes valet parking with unlimited entry and exit during your stay. Other properties may set different conditions.
Ask your hotel where you can unload luggage before driving to a public garage. Check the walking route to reception, including stairs and crossings. For valet parking, confirm retrieval hours and any advance notice needed for an early departure.
How to Pay and When a Visitor Parking Pass Helps
Paying at Meters, Apps and Garages
Use ParkSavannah wherever meters display its decal. Add your vehicle and payment details, enter the correct space number, and select your stay. Check the receipt and session end time before walking away.
App extensions only cover the permitted duration. They do not override posted parking restrictions.
At payment machines, follow the displayed instructions and check accepted payment methods. The Visitor Center lot requires your license plate number. Bryan Street Garage accepts major payment cards at its exit kiosk, but not cash.
Visitor Parking Pass Coverage and Limitations
A Visitor Day Pass costs $15 for 24 hours or $24 for 48 hours, starting at purchase. Buy it inside Bryan Street Garage at Mobility & Parking Services, 100 East Bryan Street.
Published purchase hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring your vehicle’s license plate number and registration state.
The pass covers eligible street parking, including meters with limits of one hour or longer. It excludes city garages and street sweeping restrictions. The published terms provide parking coverage, not a reserved space. You still need an available legal spot.
Compare the pass price with your expected meter spending. Short visits or visits during free meter periods may cost less without one.
Accessible Parking and Routes with Less Walking
Choose parking by the attraction’s accessible entrance, rather than its main address. Telfair Museums identifies accessible spaces outside the Jepson Center’s wheelchair entrance on York Street. Robinson Garage provides another option nearby. Using a York Street space avoids the additional walk from the garage.
For River Street, plan your route around the bluff. Historic stairs and cobblestone ramps connect Bay Street with the waterfront. Public elevators stand between City Hall and the Hyatt Regency, and beside The Alida’s grand staircase. These provide alternatives to stairs, but confirm elevator operation before relying on them.
An accessible parking permit does not automatically waive payment. The city’s accessibility guide requires payment in designated accessible spaces. Follow current meter hours and posted charges.
Families with strollers and visitors limiting their walking should compare crossings, slopes, and surfaces alongside distance. Ask garage staff which elevator exit serves your destination. If a disability prevents meter use, contact Mobility & Parking Services at (912) 651-6470 for assistance.
Parking Near Savannah’s Historic District
Eastern Wharf Garage at 301 Passage Way offers an alternative east of the central Historic District. Consider it for Eastern Wharf and East River Street, rather than attractions around Forsyth Park.
The published weekday hourly rate is $2. A three-hour daytime visit therefore costs $6 before any event charges. That matches Bryan Street’s ordinary daytime cost, so compare location rather than assuming savings.
Eastern Wharf currently lists a Riverwalk construction detour through the Marriott courtyard. Check your walking distance using that route, rather than a direct riverfront line.
The city lists a free DOT connection to City Market beside Thompson Savannah. Confirm the return stop and final departure before relying on it. Garage access runs around the clock; shuttle service does not necessarily match those hours. Include a possible paid ride back when comparing total costs.
What to Check Before You Park
Before leaving your car, check these details to avoid unexpected charges or a difficult return:
- Entrance and clearance: Find the vehicle entrance and compare the posted height limit with your vehicle, including roof storage.
- Charging hours: Read the rate board and check whether your stay crosses into another charging period.
- Posted restrictions: Check time limits, loading zones, and street sweeping signs.
- Event notices: Look for temporary closures or parking restrictions.
- Return access: Confirm pedestrian doors, elevators, and vehicle exits will remain available when you return.
- Payment: Check your space number or license plate, payment confirmation, and expiry time.
- Backup option: Save another nearby garage or lot before arriving.
For several stops, consider parking once and walking between attractions. Compare crossings, slopes, and distances with your group’s needs. If using DOT, check its official routes and schedules and plan the return trip before leaving your car.
Frequently Asked Questions About Historic District Parking
Final Thoughts: Which Parking Option Fits Your Visit?
Choose parking in Savannah’s Historic District around your first stop, visit length, budget, and walking needs. Compare Bryan Street for River Street, Whitaker for City Market, and park lots for Forsyth Park. For longer visits, calculate the full cost rather than comparing hourly prices alone. Overnight guests should confirm permission and return access. Before driving, check current charges, the vehicle entrance, and posted restrictions.
John Robert
Travel Writer & Founder @ Thing Savannah
John Robert is a travel writer and explorer specializing in authentic regional guides, detailed itineraries, and practical travel logistics.
