Is Hilton Head possible without a car?

[pangyal]

We are not really drivers and would 100% for sure not be renting a car for any trips to HH. We are super interested in trying it out, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me tips for flying in from the east coast (Toronto) and getting to the resort- is there a shuttle? Which is the closest airport? It looks like it's easy to get around without a car once we are actually there, but it's the coming and going logistics I'm trying to sort out...thanks in advance !

 

[ErinC]

I think most people fly in to Savannah. I personally cannot imagine being at HH without a car. I would think your transportation costs to and from the airport alone would justify a compact car rental. Maybe others will feel differently, but I think you would miss many of the great features of the island if you didn't have some transportation.

 

[pangyal]

Unfortunately, it's just not possible- I don't drive on the highway and hubby let his license expire a few years ago because we pretty walk everywhere here at home or take transit .

 

[dvc_john]

Well, there is an airport on Hilton Head Island. You would pretty much have to connect to an American Airlines Eagle flight on a turboprop via Charlotte, NC. I suppose to get from the Hilton Head airport to the resort you could just take a taxi.

I've always either driven to HHI, or flown to Savannah and rented a car.

There is a free shuttle between the DVC resort and the Beach House. And there are a number of restaurants in Shelter Cove, just a short walk away. And a lot of restaurants and shops at Shelter Cove Towne Center, a little further away but still very walkable.

 

[brooke789]

Unfortunately, it's just not possible- I don't drive on the highway and hubby let his license expire a few years ago because we pretty walk everywhere here at home or take transit .

I think you'll just need to "drive on the highway" just for this trip. You're going to need a car...or do a lot of Uber/taxi?

 

[rwcmath]

Bring a friend who drives, chauffeur for room, split the board.

 

[Candace]

I guess it's doable, but I think you'll be pretty restricted without a car. The resort has a snackbar by the pool and another at the beach house, but no sit down, full service restaurant. There are, however, some really nice restaurants across the bridge at the marina that you can walk to. But Hilton Head has a lot other things to offer and a mecca of other wonderful restaurants. As far as airports go, Savannah is less than an hour away, but I love the tiny Hilton Head airport. There is taxi service from there. The resort has a shuttle to the beach. If you fly into Hilton Head, and get a taxi, be sure to stop at the Kroger in Shelter Cove Towne Centre for your groceries. Also, there are more restaurants and stores in that area as well. It's a new area and it's really nice. It's walking distance from the Disney resort, or you can rent bikes for the length of your trip. Have fun!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I am going to disagree with a lot of the previous posts. I think it is totally doable! We always drive, but once we get to the resort, we only move the car if we want to eat dinner further away than walking distance. But there are plenty of restaurants nearby. It makes sense to fly into Hilton Head airport and take a taxi to the resort. As my DH and I get older, we are starting to think about doing this very thing. Yes, there are a lot of things to see on the island that might require a car to get to, but there's a lot to do right there at the resort. My family may be unusual, but we like to get to the resort and stay there. We like to relax on the balcony, fish off the pier, walk around the marina, kayak, etc. There are also lots of pool activities and Community Hall. There is a shuttle to the beach, and you can rent bikes to get to other places on the island. Kroger is an easy bike-ride away. Don't let the lack of a car deter you from enjoying this absolutely beautiful resort!

 

[Judique]

I am going to disagree with a lot of the previous posts. I think it is totally doable! We always drive, but once we get to the resort, we only move the car if we want to eat dinner further away than walking distance. But there are plenty of restaurants nearby. It makes sense to fly into Hilton Head airport and take a taxi to the resort. As my DH and I get older, we are starting to think about doing this very thing. Yes, there are a lot of things to see on the island that might require a car to get to, but there's a lot to do right there at the resort. My family may be unusual, but we like to get to the resort and stay there. We like to relax on the balcony, fish off the pier, walk around the marina, kayak, etc. There are also lots of pool activities and Community Hall. There is a shuttle to the beach, and you can rent bikes to get to other places on the island. Kroger is an easy bike-ride away. Don't let the lack of a car deter you from enjoying this absolutely beautiful resort!

I agree with this and would also add that there are area tours that can be taken outside the resort such as the Pinckney Island Wildlife Tour that can be taken from the resort. Also the Dolphin cruises, the Daufauskie Island cruise, fishing tours and charters and I believe they have a Gullah heritage tour from time to time. Shelter Harbor has plenty of offerings that are not part of Disney but it is only a 3 minute walk to get to.

We are here now and have a car and usually go out every day. But today being July 4th, we won't leave the resort as traffic can eat up our vacation hours. The fireworks are shot off from Broad Creek and people come to Shelter Cove for this event. We were staying at the Westin first for a few nights and I noticed that they are offering a shuttle to Shelter Cove for today's events. We are in a popular area! Today you have to have a wristband at the pool. The CM said too many people want to come in from outside.

 

[SC Minnie]

DH's brother flew down a few days before we got there one year and took a taxi from Savannah. It was under $100 if I'm not mistaken. That was before Uber so you may be able to get it for less now.

Once you're at the resort you can walk or bike to places to eat. There are parts of the island you'll need a taxi or Uber but it's doable.

 

[Vijoge]

I'm not sure what is meant by not driving on the "highway". I live in the Chicago suburbs and around here when people say they don't do highway driving they're nearly always referring to the interstates. Most other roads, unless they are in residential areas or out in the country, are highways, even two lane roads.

 

[pangyal]

I'm not sure what is meant by not driving on the "highway". I live in the Chicago suburbs and around here when people say they don't do highway driving they're nearly always referring to the interstates. Most other roads, unless they are in residential areas or out in the country, are highways, even two lane roads.

We are in Toronto. I can't get out of the city on any highways that aren't eight lanes or higher. I would assume that any roads from an airport to the resort would be much the same?

 

[Vijoge]

We are in Toronto. I can't get out of the city on any highways that aren't eight lanes or higher. I would assume that any roads from an airport to the resort would be much the same?

Oh, no, it might take you a bit longer but there are much quieter routes you can take. For example, I live about two hours from O'hare Airport in Chicago. I can drive the entire distance without ever traveling on a "major" highway. It's going to take me some extra time and probably extra miles, but I can do it.

 

[Dean]

I wouldn't go rather than not have a car. It's possible but not really feasible.

 

[sleepydog25]

I am going to disagree with a lot of the previous posts. I think it is totally doable! We always drive, but once we get to the resort, we only move the car if we want to eat dinner further away than walking distance. But there are plenty of restaurants nearby. . . My family may be unusual, but we like to get to the resort and stay there. We like to relax on the balcony, fish off the pier, walk around the marina, kayak, etc. There are also lots of pool activities and Community Hall. There is a shuttle to the beach, and you can rent bikes to get to other places on the island. Kroger is an easy bike-ride away. Don't let the lack of a car deter you from enjoying this absolutely beautiful resort!

Couldn't agree more, and this from a couple who just got back from HHI two days ago (our third trip). There are excellent dining options just across the short bridge from the resort over the marina. Other restaurants are a little farther, but can still be easily reached walking or biking. There are a few good places where biking or walking isn't feasible, but that's why they have taxis. As for activities, there are things at the Disney resort to do, tours you can schedule, and of course, the beach is less than 1.5 miles away and can be reached via bike, walking, or the very good Disney shuttle which runs at least every half hour. As mentioned, a very good Kroger (Starbucks inside) is a short 10-minute walk from the resort, and you'll find a few restaurants/bars there, as well. The only issue you'll have walking or biking is that during the prime spring/summer season, it can be extremely hot and humid, so you might arrive at the The French Bakery (next to Kroger) a bit sweaty. That's why they have air-conditioning. Don't be afraid to not have a car in HHI.

 

[Dean]

Couldn't agree more, and this from a couple who just got back from HHI two days ago (our third trip). There are excellent dining options just across the short bridge from the resort over the marina. Other restaurants are a little farther, but can still be easily reached walking or biking. There are a few good places where biking or walking isn't feasible, but that's why they have taxis. As for activities, there are things at the Disney resort to do, tours you can schedule, and of course, the beach is less than 1.5 miles away and can be reached via bike, walking, or the very good Disney shuttle which runs at least every half hour. As mentioned, a very good Kroger (Starbucks inside) is a short 10-minute walk from the resort, and you'll find a few restaurants/bars there, as well. The only issue you'll have walking or biking is that during the prime spring/summer season, it can be extremely hot and humid, so you might arrive at the The French Bakery (next to Kroger) a bit sweaty. That's why they have air-conditioning. Don't be afraid to not have a car in HHI.

But you miss out on so much without a car, esp for the first trip.

 

[sleepydog25]

But you miss out on so much without a car, esp for the first trip.

Depends on what you're looking for. To fully explore, you have a point. However, if you simply want to get to the beach, enjoy the sun and sand, eat some fresh seafood, and engage in a few physical activities (kayaking, fishing, etc.), then a car is merely a bonus.

 

[Halle]

I have driven from SAV to HH several times. The highway really is more like a two lane road, not a stressful white knuckle ride at all.

 

[Dean]

Depends on what you're looking for. To fully explore, you have a point. However, if you simply want to get to the beach, enjoy the sun and sand, eat some fresh seafood, and engage in a few physical activities (kayaking, fishing, etc.), then a car is merely a bonus.

If one just wants to hand out at a resort, pool and beach there are better and easier places to do so besides HH. IMO there's no use going to HH just for this situation, esp for the first time. The beauty and greatness of HH is in it's entirety. If you just put the beach and DVC resort in a bubble, it's an also ran.

 

[sleepydog25]

If one just wants to hand out at a resort, pool and beach there are better and easier places to do so besides HH. IMO there's no use going to HH just for this situation, esp for the first time. The beauty and greatness of HH is in it's entirety. If you just put the beach and DVC resort in a bubble, it's an also ran.

We will have to agree to disagree.