Where to Park in Savannah Historic District: Free & Cheap Options (2026)

Where to park in Savannah Historic District for free or cheap: The Visitor Parking Pass ($15/day, $90/week) provides unlimited parking in city-owned garages like Bryan Street Garage and all metered spaces — the cheapest option if you're staying all day. For free parking, Sundays offer free street meters all day, while limited free street spaces exist outside the Historic District core (difficult to find weekdays). The Bryan Street Garage at 100 E Bryan Street is Savannah's most convenient garage, centrally located near City Market and River Street with competitive daily rates around $15-20. Street meters cost $1-2/hour with enforcement Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm (north of Liberty) and Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (south of Liberty). Use the Park Savannah app for hassle-free meter payment. Our advice: If you're visiting for more than a few hours, buy the Visitor Pass. If you're just popping in for lunch, find a meter. If you're staying overnight, your hotel likely offers parking — confirm rates before booking.

What Are the Cheapest Parking Options in Savannah's Historic District?

The single best value for parking in Savannah is the Visitor Parking Pass. For $15 per day (or $90 for a 7-day pass), you get unlimited parking in any city-owned garage and at any metered space throughout the Historic District. If you're planning to spend all day exploring Savannah — which you absolutely should — this pass pays for itself after just a few hours.

You can purchase the Visitor Parking Pass at the Parking Services office inside the Bryan Street Parking Garage at 100 E Bryan Street. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Once you have the pass, you're free to park in any city garage or metered spot without worrying about feeding meters or getting tickets.

Pro tip: If you're visiting Savannah for a long weekend (3-4 days), the weekly Visitor Pass saves you serious money compared to daily garage rates. At $90 for the week, you're paying about $13/day instead of $15-20/day for individual garage parking.

Beyond the Visitor Pass, the most affordable parking garages in downtown Savannah typically charge $15-20 for all-day parking. The Bryan Street Garage, State Street Garage, and Robinson Garage are all city-owned facilities with similar rates and convenient access to major attractions like River Street restaurants, ghost tours, and the squares.

Where Is the Bryan Street Parking Garage and Why Is It the Best?

The Bryan Street Parking Garage at 100 E Bryan Street is Savannah's most popular parking facility for visitors — and for good reason. It's centrally located between City Market and River Street, putting you within a 5-10 minute walk of most major Historic District attractions.

The garage offers:

Convenient location: Walking distance to River Street, City Market, Reynolds Square, Johnson Square, and food tour meeting points
All-day parking: Around $15-20 for full-day parking (rates vary slightly by season and events)
Visitor Pass sales: The Parking Services office is located inside this garage, so you can purchase your multi-day pass here
Smart Pass option: Pre-load hours on a Smart Pass for discounted rates — a good option for frequent visitors
Safe and well-lit: City-operated garage with good security and lighting

Many locals and regular visitors recommend setting up a Smart Pass at the Parking Services office. You pre-load the number of hours you want, they give you a code to enter at parking kiosks, and you get a small discount on hourly rates. This is especially useful if you're making multiple trips to Savannah throughout the year.

Other City-Owned Parking Garages Worth Considering

Beyond Bryan Street, Savannah operates several other garages throughout the Historic District:

State Street Garage: Near the Civic Center and The Grey restaurant
Robinson Garage: Close to Broughton Street shopping
Liberty Street Garage: Near the Visitor Center

All city garages offer similar rates and accept the Visitor Parking Pass. Choose based on where you're planning to spend most of your time — parking closer to your first destination means less walking with luggage or tired kids.

How Do Parking Meters Work in Savannah (And When Are They Free)?

Savannah street parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday, 8am to 8pm north of Liberty Street, and Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm south of Liberty Street. Meters are FREE all day on Sundays — a little-known secret that can save you money if you're flexible with your visit timing.

Meter rates typically run $1-2 per hour depending on location, with prime spots near River Street and the squares commanding higher rates. Most meters have a 2-3 hour maximum, meaning you can't park all day even if you keep feeding the meter.

The easiest way to pay for meters is through the Park Savannah mobile app. Download it before your trip, enter your license plate and payment info, then select your parking zone and duration when you park. The app lets you extend your time remotely if you're running late — no sprinting back to feed the meter while your shrimp and grits get cold at The Olde Pink House.

Sunday parking hack: If you're visiting Savannah for a weekend, plan your heaviest sightseeing for Sunday. All street meters are free, which means you can park on historic squares like Chippewa or Madison for free all day. Arrive early to snag the best spots near popular ghost tour meeting points.

Understanding Meter Zones and Enforcement

Not all meters in Savannah have the same enforcement hours. Pay attention to the signs:

North of Liberty Street: Enforced Mon-Sat, 8am-8pm (prime tourist areas)
South of Liberty Street: Enforced Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm (more residential, offices)
Sundays: No enforcement anywhere — free parking

Parking enforcement in Savannah is active and efficient. Don't assume you can skip paying "just this once" — tickets happen quickly, especially in high-traffic areas near restaurants and boat tour departure points.

Is There Any Free Parking in Savannah's Historic District?

Let's be honest: truly free parking in the heart of Savannah's Historic District during weekdays is nearly impossible to find. The city knows parking is valuable real estate, and they've monetized it accordingly.

That said, a few free parking options exist if you're willing to walk or visit outside peak hours:

Free Parking on Sundays

As mentioned, all street meters are free on Sundays. This is the single best free parking opportunity in Savannah. Arrive early (before 10am) to claim spots on the squares or near major attractions. Popular Sunday brunch spots fill up fast, so snagging a nearby parking space early is a win.

Free Street Parking Outside the Historic District Core

Some residential streets on the outskirts of the Historic District offer free, unmetered parking without time limits. These spots are harder to find and typically require a 15-20 minute walk to major attractions. Streets south of Forsyth Park and in the Victorian District sometimes have free spaces, but they're claimed quickly by locals who know the system.

Our advice: Don't waste your vacation time circling for free parking. The stress and time lost searching for a free spot usually outweigh the $15-20 you'd spend at the Bryan Street Garage. Savannah is a walking city — park once, walk everywhere, and enjoy the squares.

Hotel Parking (If You're Staying Overnight)

Many Savannah hotels offer parking for guests, but be warned: rates vary wildly. Some hotels include parking free with your room, while others charge $25-40 per night. Always confirm parking costs before booking — that "cheap" hotel deal might not be so cheap once you add $30/night parking.

Hotels in the Historic District often contract with nearby garages rather than operating their own lots, so you might end up parking in the same Bryan Street Garage you'd use anyway, just at a markup through your hotel.

What Parking Apps and Payment Options Work in Savannah?

Savannah has modernized its parking payment system, making it easier than ever to pay for meters and garages without fumbling for quarters.

Park Savannah App (Official City App)

The Park Savannah mobile app is the official payment method for street meters. Download it before your trip, create an account, and add your payment method. When you park, the app uses your location to identify your parking zone, you select your duration, and you're done.

Benefits of the Park Savannah app:

Extend time remotely: Running late? Add more time from your phone instead of running back to the meter
Parking history: Track where you've parked (helpful when you forget where you left the car)
No quarters needed: Everything is digital
Expiration alerts: The app reminds you when your time is about to run out

Credit Cards at Meters and Garages

Most Savannah parking meters and all city garages accept credit cards directly. Older meters might still require coins, but the city has been upgrading to card-enabled meters throughout the Historic District.

At garages, you'll typically take a ticket on entry, then pay at a central kiosk before returning to your car. Kiosks accept credit cards, cash, and often Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Where Should I Park for Specific Savannah Attractions?

Best Parking for River Street and Waterfront Dining

For River Street restaurants like Vic's on the River or The Chart House, the Bryan Street Garage puts you within a 5-minute walk. You can also find street meters along Bay Street (one block up from River Street), though these fill up quickly during dinner hours.

Alternatively, park at the Bryan Street Garage and take the scenic walk down the stone stairs to River Street — you'll pass through Factors Walk and get a sense of Savannah's 18th-century merchant history.

Best Parking for Ghost Tours

Most Savannah ghost tours meet in the squares (often Reynolds Square or Madison Square). The Bryan Street Garage or Robinson Garage both work well. If you're taking the evening Genteel & Bard tour, arrive 30 minutes early to park and walk to the meeting point — you don't want to be sprinting through the Historic District trying to find parking 5 minutes before your tour starts.

For Hearse Ghost Tours (yes, you ride in an actual hearse), confirm the pickup location when you book and park at the nearest garage. These tours pick up at various locations depending on the night.

Best Parking for Forsyth Park and Southern Cuisine

If you're visiting Forsyth Park or dining at nearby spots like The Public Kitchen & Bar or Foxy Loxy, look for street meters on the streets surrounding the park. Gaston Street and Whitaker Street have metered parking with reasonable access to the park.

Remember that meters south of Liberty Street (which includes Forsyth Park area) are only enforced Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, so you get free evening and weekend parking here.

Best Parking for Broughton Street Shopping

Broughton Street is Savannah's main shopping corridor, home to The Coffee Fox, boutiques, and Leopold's Ice Cream. The Robinson Garage at 132 Montgomery Street is your best bet — it's one block off Broughton and gets you right into the shopping district.

Street meters along Broughton fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Don't waste time hunting for a spot — just park in the garage and enjoy your day.

Savannah Parking Insider Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Circle Endlessly Looking for the "Perfect" Spot

We've all done it — driven in circles for 20 minutes trying to find street parking to save $10. In Savannah, this is a waste of time and vacation energy. The Historic District is compact and walkable. Park once at the Bryan Street Garage, walk everywhere, and save the frustration.

The time you waste circling could be spent eating shrimp and grits at Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room or exploring the squares where Savannah's ghost stories come to life.

Factor Parking Into Your Budget from the Start

Plan for $15-25 per day in parking costs if you're driving into Savannah. It's part of visiting any historic city. Factor it into your budget alongside meals and tours, and you won't feel nickel-and-dimed when the parking attendant asks for $18.

Consider Rideshare for Evening Activities

If you're staying in a hotel with expensive parking, consider using Uber or Lyft for evening fine dining or pub crawl ghost tours. Rideshare costs are often comparable to what you'd pay for parking, and you don't have to worry about finding your car in an unfamiliar garage after a few cocktails on River Street.

Read All Parking Signs Carefully

Savannah has residential permit zones, loading zones, and time-limited spaces scattered throughout the Historic District. Always read the signs before walking away from your car. A "2 Hour Parking" sign means exactly that — enforcement will ticket you at 2 hours and 1 minute.

Don't Leave Valuables Visible in Your Car

Savannah is generally safe, but car break-ins happen in any tourist city. Don't tempt fate by leaving cameras, laptops, or shopping bags visible through your windows. Lock everything in the trunk before parking, even in garages.

Is Parking in Savannah Worth the Cost, or Should I Skip the Car Entirely?

If you're flying into Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and staying entirely within the Historic District, you genuinely don't need a car. The district is walkable, attractions are clustered close together, and rideshares are readily available for longer trips (like day trips to Tybee Island).

However, if you're driving to Savannah from elsewhere or planning day trips to Tybee Island, nearby plantations, or coastal areas, having a car makes sense. Just accept parking costs as part of the experience and plan accordingly.

The Visitor Parking Pass is your best friend if you're parking daily. At $15/day or $90/week, it's the most cost-effective way to keep a car in Savannah without constant meter stress.

Our recommendation: Park your car once at the Bryan Street Garage, buy a multi-day Visitor Pass, and then explore Savannah on foot. The city reveals itself through walking — you'll discover hidden courtyards, stumble onto local coffee shops, and experience the beauty of the squares in a way driving never allows.

Savannah parking is manageable, predictable, and — with the right strategy — won't break your budget. Now that you know where to park, go enjoy the Hostess City.

Planning your Savannah adventure? Check out our guides to the best ghost tours in Savannah, top-rated restaurants, and culinary walking tours. Want to venture beyond downtown? Our Tybee Island day trip guide covers everything from dolphin tours to beach parking.