Best Ghost Tours in Savannah: Complete Comparison Guide (2026)

Savannah didn't earn its reputation as America's most haunted city by accident. Built atop Indigenous burial grounds in 1733, ravaged by yellow fever epidemics, and witness to countless Civil War tragedies, this Spanish moss-draped city practically breathes ghost stories. But with over two dozen ghost tour companies operating in the Historic District, how do you choose the right one?

I've researched the five most popular ghost tour companies in Savannah to help you make an informed decision. Whether you want scholarly history, theatrical thrills, or a ride in an actual hearse, this guide breaks down what makes each tour unique.

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Savannah Ghost Tours

Tour Company	Tour Style	Duration	Best For	Price Range
Ghosts & Gravestones	Trolley + building entry	80 minutes	Families, theatrical experience	$40-50
Genteel & Bard	Intimate walking tour	90 minutes	History lovers, couples	$35-45
Candlelit Ghost Tour	Lantern-lit walking tour	90 minutes	Atmosphere, photography, couples	$30-40
6th Sense World	Traditional walking tour	90-120 minutes	OG experience, paranormal focus	$30-40
Fraidy Cat Ghost Tour	Family-friendly walking	75 minutes	Families, scaredy-cats	$25-35

The Best Ghost Tours in Savannah (Detailed Reviews)

1. Ghosts & Gravestones (Ghost City Tours): The Theatrical Trolley Experience

If you've heard of Savannah ghost tours, you've probably heard of Ghosts & Gravestones. As part of the Historic Tours of America network, this is the largest and most well-known ghost tour operation in the city — and for good reason.

What Makes It Unique:

• Ride aboard the "Trolley of the Doomed" through the Historic District
• Exclusive nighttime entry to two haunted venues: the Andrew Low House and Perkin's & Sons Ship Chandlery
• Professional theatrical "ghost hosts" in period costume
• Jump scares and haunted house-style moments
• Featured on The Today Show and Travel Channel

This isn't just a history lesson — it's a production. Your ghost host stays in character from the moment you board until the tour ends. Expect strobe lights, theatrical performances at the haunted venues, and moments designed to make you jump.

The Andrew Low House stop is genuinely atmospheric. Staff have reported apparitions here for years, and being inside the mansion after dark — rather than just hearing about it from the street — adds immersive depth that walking tours can't match.

Who It's For: Families with older children (rated PG-13), first-time visitors who want the full "America's Most Haunted City" experience, anyone with mobility concerns (minimal walking), and groups looking for entertainment over scholarly history.

Practical Details:

• Duration: 80 minutes
• Price: $40-50 per person
• Departure: Simply Savannah Depot, 301 East River Street
• Reservations: Required (tours frequently sell out, especially in October)

2. Genteel & Bard: The Scholarly Storytellers

For a more refined, intellectually engaging ghost tour, Genteel & Bard stands apart. Founded by published authors and public historians T.C. and Brenna Michaels, this family-owned company approaches ghost stories through the lens of rigorous historical research.

What Makes It Unique:

• Small group sizes (10-15 people maximum)
• Guides are published historians and authors
• Ranked in the top 1% of TripAdvisor's U.S. Cultural and Historic Experiences
• Professional-quality microphone system — you'll hear every word clearly
• Preferred tour company among Savannah's luxury hotel concierges

This tour feels like walking through history with a beloved professor. The storytelling is poetic, the historical context is accurate and detailed, and the ghost stories emerge organically from the city's dark past rather than being sensationalized.

Who It's For: History enthusiasts who want scholarly accuracy, couples seeking an intimate romantic evening, anyone tired of gimmicky tourist experiences, and Savannah locals who want to learn deeper history.

3. Candlelit Ghost Tour: The Atmospheric Experience

For an intimate, lantern-lit journey through Savannah's haunted history, the Candlelit Ghost Walking Tour offers something different — guided by the warm glow of candlelight through the city's most atmospheric squares.

What Makes It Unique:

• Lantern-lit walking tour creates genuinely spooky atmosphere
• Deep dive into Savannah's history of war, executions, and mystery
• Small group sizes for intimate storytelling
• Explores historic squares and hidden corners most tourists miss
• Perfect for photography with dramatic lighting

This isn't a jump-scare tour — it's atmospheric storytelling at its finest. Your guide carries a lantern as you walk through Savannah's historic squares, the candlelight casting shadows on centuries-old buildings while you hear tales of the city's dark past.

Who It's For: Couples seeking romance with a spooky twist, photography enthusiasts, history lovers who want substance over scares, and anyone who appreciates atmospheric storytelling.

4. 6th Sense World: The Original Ghost Tour Company

6th Sense World has been leading Savannah ghost tours for 25 years — longer than almost any competitor. This woman-owned company helped establish Savannah's reputation as a paranormal hotspot.

What Makes It Unique:

• 25 years of experience — the "OG" Savannah ghost tour
• Winner of TripAdvisor's 2024 Travelers' Choice Award (Top 10% of attractions worldwide)
• Featured on Wheel of Fortune, Travel Channel, and USA TODAY's Top 10 Tours
• Guides with evocative names like "The Spirit Formerly Known As Prince"
• EMF detectors provided for paranormal investigation

Who It's For: Paranormal enthusiasts who take ghost hunting seriously, anyone wanting a genuine non-gimmicky experience, visitors interested in photography, and guests who appreciate long-established local businesses.

5. Fraidy Cat: The Family Fun Ghost Tour

Traveling with kids or just not into extreme scares? Fraidy Cat delivers Savannah's famous ghost stories in a family-friendly format — all the history and atmosphere, none of the nightmares.

What Makes It Unique:

• Family-friendly versions of Savannah's famous ghost stories
• Perfect for older kids and "scaredy-cats" of all ages
• Explores spooky cemeteries and haunted squares
• Professional storytelling without gore or extreme scares
• Departs from Columbia Square — easy meeting point

The guides know how to make ghost stories engaging without traumatizing younger visitors. You'll still visit the creepy cemeteries and supposedly haunted locations, but the storytelling is calibrated for a broader audience. It's ghost tour lite — in the best way.

Who It's For: Families with older children (7+), nervous adults who want atmosphere without terror, groups with mixed scare tolerances, and anyone curious about Savannah's haunted history without losing sleep.

How to Choose the Right Savannah Ghost Tour

Still not sure which tour is right for you? Here's a quick decision tree:

Choose Ghosts & Gravestones if you want:

• The most well-known, established tour
• To go inside haunted buildings
• Theatrical entertainment with jump scares
• A trolley ride (minimal walking)

Choose Genteel & Bard if you want:

• Scholarly, historically accurate storytelling
• An intimate small-group experience
• Professional authors and historians as guides
• A tour recommended by luxury hotel concierges

Choose Candlelit Ghost Tour if you want:

• The most atmospheric, romantic experience
• Lantern-lit walking through historic squares
• Great photo opportunities
• Substance over jump scares

Choose 6th Sense World if you want:

• The original, longest-running tour company
• Serious paranormal investigation elements
• Guides who share their own experiences
• A Bonaventure Cemetery tour option

Choose Fraidy Cat if you want:

• A family-friendly, all-ages experience
• Ghost stories without nightmares
• Atmosphere without terror
• Perfect for older kids (7+) and nervous adults

Ghost Tour Tips: Insider Knowledge

Best Time to Take a Ghost Tour

October is peak ghost tour season. Tours sell out weeks in advance, especially the week of Halloween. Book early or be flexible with your tour time.

Spring and Fall (March-May, September-November) offer the best weather. Summer ghost tours mean humidity, mosquitoes, and heat — but smaller crowds.

Weeknights are less crowded than weekends. Tuesday through Thursday tours often have better availability and smaller groups.

What to Wear

• Comfortable walking shoes are essential for walking tours
• Layers — Savannah nights can be cool, especially near the river
• Mosquito repellent in warm months
• Dark clothing if you're taking photos (reduces lens flare)

Photography Tips

• Most tours allow and encourage photography
• Turn off your flash for the best results
• Check your photos during the tour — guides are often excited to see any anomalies you capture
• Historic buildings and Spanish moss make stunning backdrops even without paranormal activity

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Savannah ghost tour is the scariest?
Ghosts & Gravestones has the most theatrical jump scares and horror-movie moments. Hearse Ghost Tours offers a blend of humor and genuine spooky stories. If you want atmospheric chills without theatrics, Genteel & Bard or 6th Sense World focus on real history and documented hauntings.

Are Savannah ghost tours suitable for children?
Blue Orb Tours is the most family-friendly. Ghosts & Gravestones is rated PG-13 and uses loud noises and jump scares. Genteel & Bard and 6th Sense World offer more subdued, history-focused experiences.

How much walking is involved?
Ghosts & Gravestones (trolley tour) has minimal walking. Walking tours cover roughly 1-1.5 miles at a leisurely pace. Hearse Ghost Tours involves the least walking since you're riding in the hearse.

Can I bring alcohol on a ghost tour?
Hearse Ghost Tours explicitly allows alcohol (21+ only, 16 oz plastic cup maximum, no glass). Most walking tours do not. Ghosts & Gravestones prohibits alcohol.

Do ghost tours run in the rain?
Yes, most Savannah ghost tours operate rain or shine. Bring an umbrella or poncho. Tours are only cancelled if weather conditions are dangerous.

The Verdict: Best Ghost Tour for Each Type of Visitor

Best Overall: Ghosts & Gravestones (Ghost City Tours)
The trolley ride, building entry, and theatrical production make this the most complete ghost tour experience in Savannah.

Best for History Lovers: Genteel & Bard
Published historians and authors deliver scholarly, beautifully told ghost stories with rigorous historical context.

Most Unique: Hearse Ghost Tours
You'll never forget riding through haunted Savannah in a real hearse. The perfect blend of spooky and fun.

Best for Families: Blue Orb Tours
Pet-friendly, all-ages appropriate, and ranked Top 10 in the world by TripAdvisor.

Best for Paranormal Enthusiasts: 6th Sense World
25 years of experience, EMF detectors, and guides who share their own paranormal encounters.

Ready to Book Your Savannah Ghost Tour?

Savannah's ghost stories are as much a part of the city's identity as its stunning architecture and Southern hospitality. Whether you choose the scholarly storytelling of Genteel & Bard, the theatrical thrills of Ghosts & Gravestones, or the unforgettable hearse ride, you're in for an evening you won't soon forget.

Pro Tip: Many visitors take two different ghost tours during their stay — one trolley/hearse tour for the broader overview, and one intimate walking tour for deeper history. Each company covers different sites and stories, so there's surprisingly little overlap.

Related Reading:

• Savannah Historic District Guide
• Complete Guide to Haunted Places in Savannah
• Things to Do in Savannah
• Best Restaurants in Historic District

Where to Stay for Ghost Tours

Most ghost tours depart from the Historic District — stay there and you can walk to your tour. Many of Savannah's most haunted hotels are tourist attractions in their own right:

This guide was last updated February 26, 2026. Prices, tour times, and availability are subject to change. Always verify details directly with tour companies before booking.

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.