Hilton Head Island

[Bad Llama]

Hi

We're thinking of going to Hilton Head Island next summer, but are not sure what airport is the best\closest to the resort. Also who flies there from the UK (direct\in-direct). Has anyone been to HHI, and if so, could you give me some advice?

Thanks so much........

[Hilary]

Excellent question - we're wondering exactly the same, as we're thinking about visiting next summer too!

[Pootle]

On one occasion we flew into Charleston (via Atlanta) and that isn't too far (from memory about 100 miles and two hours' drive). Savannah has an airport too, which is even closer but again you would need to go via a hub airport. I don't know of any closer, but that doesn't mean that one does not exist ;) . On the plus side though, both Charleston and Savannah are definitely worth a visit - steeped in history and charming places.

If you wanted a direct flight from the UK I think you would have to settle for somewhere at a distance and drive to HH - eg Atlanta GA, Charlotte, NC or even Orlando all of which are in the 300 mile region (Orlando probably the furthest away but with greatest choice of flights).

Hope this helps.

[vernon]

I flew into Charlotte , direct with USAirways. It's about a 3.5 hour drive from Charlotte to HH. Raleigh Durham in North Carolina is another "hub" airport that's worth considering. I think it's about 3-4 hour drive from HH. Orlando is about 6 hours drive, plus it's past HH so you have to fly over HH to get to Orlando. I've always found it makes the drive/flight back that much worse when you know you were directly over the destination 8 hours earlier :O .

[Bad Llama]

Thanks all for the help.....I think the change to Savannah looks best. I need to figure out total travel time. With 2 young children I'm just a little worried.

Another thing I thought of doing was maybe splitting the holiday between Vero and Hilton Head. That way we could fly into Orlando, stay at Vero for maybe a week then drive down to Hilton Head. Has anyone ever done that?

[vernon]

I've split WDW and HH (similar drive to Vero to HH) and it wasn't a problem. You do need to try and time your journey to avoid Jacksonville's rush hour as I believe the road works are STILL going on round there. Basically avoid 08.30-10.00 and 16.30-19.00 and you should be OK. IMHO HH is a better "stand alone" destination and has more things to do, Vero is more than adiquate for a 3,4 or 5 day break but it is a pretty sleepy town. I'd find it hard to do Vero and HH but not have any time in Orlando. My preference would be a week each in Orlando and HH this trip and 10 days in Orlando and 4 in Vero next ( or reversed) as opposed to an all beach trip this time and all parks the next.

[Bad Llama]

The WDW \ HH thing sounds a good idea thinking about it. Last year we did 8 days Vero then 6 days VWL and that was just right. We love Vero and may even stop by for a couple of days this Xmas when we are at VWL again.....

[Pootle]

While I was out and about I remembered I'd done some planning in the past which you may find useful. The details are taken from the Rand McNally site, using the 'fastest' route and from the airports to the zip codes for the resorts. Vernon mentions the roadworks which were definitely an issue when we did the journey from Savannah down to Orlando last year, so if it's still a problem, that would put the timings out.


MCO (Orlando) to HH - 336, 5 hours 55 mins
ATL (Atlanta) to HH - 285 miles, 5 hours 20 mins
CLT (Charlotte) to HH - 261, 4 hours 50 mins
CHS (Charleston) to HH - 106 miles, 2 hours 25 mins
SAV (Savannah) to HH - 46 miles, 55 mins


VB to HH - 391 miles, 6 hours 50 mins
OKW to HH - 338 miles, 6 hours

BTW, we did the drive from Vero to Hilton Head in one go and it sure is a long way ::yes::

[jjpenguin]

We did the HH/WDW combo in May. Flew into Savannah and out of Orlando using United. Change in Washington was smooth, but it's a small plane to Savannah. Savannah - HH was about an hour.

HH to WDW took us well over 6 hours. Roadworks didn't slow us down that much. Traffic wasn't bad either. We left at 10.00 and were at WDW about 17.00 (stop for lunch & to stretch our legs) It's just so frustrating; wide roads, no traffic and a really slow speed limit ..... in Europe that journey would've taken 4 hrs! Thank god for cruise control
;)

In retrospect I might have done it the other way round. All that rushing round at WDW almost cancelled out the relaxing time at HH....

jjpenguin

[Van Helsing]

Been to HH a few times - great resort ( in my top 3 lol )

Best airport Savannah - United would be one of the best to fly with into Wash/DC and change there.

One thing i would say - summer time very busy and very warm !!

Watch out for Gnats ;) ( nasty wee bites ) but that wouldn't put me off Honest.


We've also did the WDW/HH 6hrs is about right and was an easy drive.

Need anymore just let me know.


:wave:

[Bad Llama]

Thanks for your help guys. I think we may try the WDW to HH drive and maybe fly home out of Savannah. I'm going to get my DVC Points calculator out......

[Van Helsing]

Bad Llama i thing thats a good choice have fun :wave:

[paulh]

We did WDW -HH-WDW once drive up form disney 6 hours not a bad run had a break half way through stoped of as soon as we left florida road easy to drive on we went early in morning so did not lose much time at HH got there at checkin time i think no problems with kids a gameboy helps will do it again but spend more time there posably a week next time loved catching sand dollars on the beach
Paulh

[Jake_23]

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