Before our time together in Savannah, I am thinking about spending two or three nights in Hilton Head.

In searching for flights today, I have been looking at Air Tran which flies Buffalo to "Savannah/Hilton Head". Is this an international airport that serves both cities?

Alternative flights out of Toronto can be direct to Hilton Head Island Airport (with US Airways Express - 8 flights per day; or Delta Connection - 3 flights per day). But their flights are considerably more expensive than flying out of Buffalo with Air Tran (twice the price).

If I fly into and out of Savannah, what are my options for travelling between the Savannah airport and a hotel on Hilton Head?

Advice, suggestions would be most welcomed!

Hi Marion,

The main Savannah airport is called the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. According to my guidebook, there aren't currently any international flights (an airline did once offer flights to the Bahamas), but they are ready for the future.

It is about an hour to Hilton Head from the big airport, and the guidebook says about half the people arriving at the airport are headed for Hilton Head. If you google, it looks like there are limo services or taxis that go to Hilton Head-- here is one that runs quite often. This info says the round trip to HH starts at $66.

But the book (the Insiders Guide to Savannah and Hilton Head) says this: "The best way to get around on Hilton Head is by car. Walking isn't much of an option because things are pretty spread out... If you haven't driven your own car or rented one, there are numerous taxi companies and limousine services to help you arrange transportation."

You might also want to consider renting a car for those couple of days.

Kathy

I am having a good day.

Toronto friends with a home in Hilton Head have informed me that travelling to the Savannah airport is always cheaper than landing at the Hilton Head airport.

No matter which airport you select, there are no non-stop flights from Toronto to either Savannah airport or Hilton Head airport.

But they have come up with an excellent and elegant solution: they propose that I stay with them and that they will come and pick me up at the cheaper Savannah airport, I can stay with them for 2-3 nights, and then they will take me directly to my hotel in Savannah.

This is shaping up to be a really terrific holiday break!

Marion - those are friends indeed.

We got great flights from BUF at $ 303 return. The ones we looking at from Toronto were close to $ 700! ouch

Hilton Head is a beautiful resort area. I am glad you are going to be able to take advantage of a couple of days on the coast.

The azaleas should be blooming and the golf courses perfect. I know you will enjoy it!

Even better that you can stay with friends... good friends indeed!
See y'all in Savannah!

How perfect, Marion!
Nothing better than fabulous friends who take care of you and spoil you completely. Good for you!
I'm with you...this is going to be a fantastic break.

"When I came down to Hilton Head and saw all the natural beauty, I said, 'Good-bye barns, hello ocean, hello live oak trees...'” Terry Brennan
Brenda

Jerry, I am checking out three options for flights from Toronto-Savannah. Airfare + taxes:

1. US Airways $445 + 112 = $556

2. United $349 + 118 = $460

3. Delta $380 + 71 = $451

I got quotes for the Buffalo routes but I can't face driving from mid-town Toronto, going through the border, and catching an early morning flight. My other concern was the thought of having to drive back to Toronto on Sunday evening. I thought about driving down to Buffalo and staying overnight before the flight, but that doesn't seem to be much of a cost-saver.

I am blessed to have wonderful friends!

Marion, if those are flights out of Toronto they are not bad, especially for the taxes.
I used aeroplan miles and paid quite abit in taxes.

Those are good prices from Toronto!

We were lucky to find good connections/times.

The other thing I really like about the Buffalo airport is the parking - it is cheap (about $ 9/day) and they have a shuttle which picks you up at and takes you back to your car. I would anticipate the border crossing to be about 10 minutes when we're going - but timing is everything.

I agree with you - you have to weigh the savings with the additional bother!

I booked United through their Canadian website this morning for Cdn $473!

Good flights too. I leave Toronto at 8 a.m.; and I return from Savannah on Sunday at 2:38 so I will get to do the brunch after all.

Now I am going to try again to get garden tour tickets for Friday and Saturday morning. I've tried their website, but couldn't complete the booking with VISA. I will phone them this morning.

I am getting really excited about this trip!

Marion, that is great!
I looked up my taxes from T.O. and they were $120 each, but then the aeroplan only charges 15,000 miles for the flight.

See you in Savannah! J.

The good news about the Savannah airport is that if your flight is at 238 PM you can get there at 145 and still have way too much time on your hands - but you can load up on Paula Deen's goodies inside security.

I have even been known to cut it with only a half an hour to spare but I wouldn't advise it, given that my main home is in DC (Dulles) that was quite an adrenalin rush! I still made it with time to spare though.