Best Way to HH from NJ?

[bounceliketigger]

Anyone from the northeast know the best way to get to HH? Closest airport, drive, etc.?
Thanks!

 

[NewJerseyDVCMembers]

We think your best bet would be to drive. We know it is about 12 hours with 2-3 stops for gas and such, that's from where we are in Absecon. To fly out of either Newark, New York or Philly there is always a connecting flight into Savannah from Atlanta and then another hour drive from there. If you take into consideration your time to the airport, how early you have to get there, the flight time, the waiting for the connection, the next flight and all the other time spent, its just easier to drive. It will probably be a lot cheaper too.

 

[gppnj]

I'm planning this same trip. Continental does fly directly from Newark to Savannah. However, the current price for when I'm going is $372 round trip, which is more than I'd like to spend. You can also get a train form Newark to Savannah, though that takes 17 hours.

I don't have a car, so I won't be driving. I'd prefer to fly, so I'm hoping the fare goes down. I don't think I'd take the train. If I do, I'd only do it one way and then maybe fly back.

 

[bounceliketigger]

Thanks! I was kind of thinking that too. We have friends in Beaufort so maybe we'll make a longer trip of it. I just dread the drive with a 3 year old. (when you have to "go" you have to "go!"). Then again, all the schlepping in & out of airports, etc. is no picnic either.

By the way, LOVE the pic! How in the "World" did you manage that?

 

[bounceliketigger]

I'm in south Jersey. Newark's way too far & NO ONE seems to go from Phila or AC direct to Savannah. I guess we'll suck it up and drive. It'll no doubt be less expensive.

 

[tber]

I believe USAIRWAYS goes from PHL to Savannah for about $250. They do not go direct from Newark but stop in Charlotte - very easy flight. Charleston is also about 1 3/4 hours away from HHI as well so you can check that airport out as well. Hilton head also has their own small airport (HHH) and I know you can fly from EWR-CLT-HHI and is only a few more dollars than Savannah.

 

[gppnj]

I believe USAIRWAYS goes from PHL to Savannah for about $250. They do not go direct from Newark but stop in Charlotte - very easy flight. Charleston is also about 1 3/4 hours away from HHI as well so you can check that airport out as well. Hilton head also has their own small airport (HHH) and I know you can fly from EWR-CLT-HHI and is only a few more dollars than Savannah.

Wow. I didn't even know Hilton Head had its own airport. I did a quick check, and I can get a flight there (changing planes in D.C.) for almost $100 less than flying to Savannah.

 

[dis-happy]

Take the plane if the fare is good, but be aware---the flights into HH direct are very small planes. My dh takes them regularly via Charlotte, but then again he doesn't mind the "puddle jumpers" (what he calls them)! It sure is convenient though.

When is your trip planned? Word of warning: in the summer, on a weekend, the drive down I-95 can take 3+ hours longer due to traffic. Not sure if it applies in your case though....

Have fun.

 

[hmansure]

We are in South Jersey as well and have made the drive to HH many times. The drive isn't too bad except, as dis-happy notes, the summer can be a bit of a pain. One thing we have done in the past is flown Spirit Air from AC to Myrtle Beach. The fares are pretty good ($89-$99 each way right now - though you need to flexible on your days sometimes) and the airport in Myrtle Beach is not that crazy. The catch is that you need to rent a car and drive about 200 miles to get to HH. For us if the fares are right we'll go that route and deal with a 3.5 hour drive. You may spend that long just getting through DC/Northern Virginia!!

 

[tber]

AND, traffic on HHI is a nightmare - during rush hours in the am and pm. Plan any trips 'off' island around those! They are widening the highway and I think the plan is to have it done by April but who knows.
The puddle jumpers are small but the plus? Getting your luggage after the flight and checking in - SO eaasy there since there are maybe 3 counters for check in??? Enjoy...

 

[gppnj]

I've been doing more searches. Right now, flying to Savannah from NJ is $362, and Newark to Charleston is $268. Looks likes Charleston might be my best bet. Fortunately, I can get direct flights to both.

 

[bounceliketigger]

I though as much about the planes directly onto the island. Tolerable for me, but not for the tiny tot. I've done the drive to Beaufort before down Rt. 13 & I-95. I think we'll leave in the wee hours of the a.m. on Sat., arrive at our friends in Beaufort Sat. afternoon, spend the night & go to HH in the morning between traffic times. I'm trying to get reservations for the 2nd week in Sept. so we'll see....

 

[dis-happy]

Sounds like a plan. Sept. (especially the second week) will be a piece of cake as far as traffic goes, no worries there...also on Sundays, you don't have the big traffic on and off the island like you do during the week. Beaufort is beautiful, enjoy the day there....

 

[krmills]

We drive down every year from Trenton. Typically leave about 10pm at night and arrive at the resort 11am. The kids sleep right through the night and we're in NC before they wake up. Never have had a problem.

 

[Jen D]

I don't have a car, so I won't be driving. I'd prefer to fly, so I'm hoping the fare goes down. I don't think I'd take the train. If I do, I'd only do it one way and then maybe fly back.

We don't have a car either, but when we do HHI we'll probably rent one and drive down. We figure we'd probably be renting one when we arrive anyway and this way we can just rent one up here with unlimited miles.

The drive is on the outside range of what we consider tolerable, but we do 11-12 hours (in a rented car) to visit family in Ohio so I think we'll manage okay.