Is Hilton Head possible without a car?

[Dean]

We will have to agree to disagree.

No car makes HH complicated, there are easier and cheaper places to go from that distance. Why not go somewhere not having a car is easy, not difficult and it'd be easier to fly into. And maybe stay on the beach rather than a good mile away.

 

[ScubaCat]

And you can't eat at the squat n gobble or break into sylvester stallones house he has there without a car. (Well you can, but it makes the getaway easier. ) Really, I suppose it's possible but it will limit your options rather significantly.

I drove there from Atlanta many times, and I honestly wouldn't enjoy it as much without a car. But then again, that's just me I also enjoy Savannah but that's a different issue.

 

[Dean]

I drove there from Atlanta many times, and I honestly wouldn't enjoy it as much without a car. But then again, that's just me I also enjoy Savannah but that's a different issue.

And Savannah is fairly easy without a car.

 

[Sammie]

Is it possible, of course it is. You might check this service to get you from Savannah to Hilton Head. Once you are there, there is plenty to do and enjoy within walking and biking distance to the resort. There are also cruises from Hilton Head to Savannah. If you don't have lots of luggage, you might talk to them about doing this as your way back to Savannah, then taxi to the airport. I think it sounds like a grand adventure, myself.

K– Shuttle
(877) 243‑2050

K–Shuttle is the official provider of scheduled shuttle service from Savannah/Hilton Head International to the resorts of Hilton Head Island and the Savannah area. For more information and shuttle schedules call (877) 243‑2050.

 

[pangyal]

Thanks so much, everyone ! Really helpful feedback.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Thanks for posting this thread. We r dvc owners from uk and we don't drive when in the states. I've always wondered if there was a way we could get to hhi.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Well I think the only real problem would be transportation to and from the Savannah airport. Other than that I think you could do the resort without a car fairly easy. There are a number of good places to eat within walking distance. You can also walk down to the Kroger for groceries if need be. You would just need to look into car services/UBER/taxis ahead of time for the airport trip. I imagine it would be fairly expensive, but it's doable. You might call the front desk of the resort and ask them if they have any suggestions. Just explain your situation to them. They are very friendly.

And also don't forget you can rent bikes at the resort that will extend your distance on the island.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

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

But you miss out on everything if you don't go at all!

We have been to HHI many times. We have explored the island some but prefer to stay close to the Disney resort and beach house. And there is NO other vacation spot I would choose over HHI (even WDW)! I love the relaxing atmosphere, the oak trees dripping in Spanish moss, the marina, the beautiful beach, the Southern charm. I have found no other beach vacation spot like it.

 

[Dean]

But you miss out on everything if you don't go at all!

We have been to HHI many times. We have explored the island some but prefer to stay close to the Disney resort and beach house. And there is NO other vacation spot I would choose over HHI (even WDW)! I love the relaxing atmosphere, the oak trees dripping in Spanish moss, the marina, the beautiful beach, the Southern charm. I have found no other beach vacation spot like it.

Going to HH for the first time without a car would be akin to going to WDW for the first time, staying at SSR and never venturing anywhere except the resort and Disney Springs and never to the parks. Actually it'd be less than that. Esp when you figure that you're either flying to to a difficult airport that tends to be significantly more expensive (HH) or one 45 min away that is likely more expensive than other options (Savannah). Besides it's not a question of going to HH or not going on vacation, if that were the choice I might agree with you, but it isn't. We love HH and go most years but IMO it's no where near worth it for this situation.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Going to HH for the first time without a car would be akin to going to WDW for the first time, staying at SSR and never venturing anywhere except the resort and Disney Springs and never to the parks. Actually it'd be less than that. Esp when you figure that you're either flying to to a difficult airport that tends to be significantly more expensive (HH) or one 45 min away that is likely more expensive than other options (Savannah). Besides it's not a question of going to HH or not going on vacation, if that were the choice I might agree with you, but it isn't. We love HH and go most years but IMO it's no where near worth it for this situation.

Sorry, Dean. I just can't agree with you on this one. Comparing the island to WDW's theme parks is like comparing apples to oranges. I agree with you that it would be crazy to go to WDW for the first time and not go to the parks. That is the main reason that people go to Disney. But going to the lighthouse or the Coastal Discovery Museum is not the main reason people go to Hilton Head Island. Plus if there is anything the OP would like to do on the island that is not within a bike ride or walking distance away, there are taxis. Plus, I checked some flights from Toronto to Savannah, and they are considerably cheaper than going to Orlando. Yes, you still have the ground transportation to the island, but I think it would be totally worth it since the OP is intrigued about this location.

 

[lisaviolet]

It does seem like a grand lovely adventure, I agree. Have fun. I have taken a car but walked and biked more than I used it.

This thread is making me smile and laugh. And totally OT. First, I too live in Toronto. And the car sits a lot. As we're walking, walking, walking. Sometimes hours.

And it reminded me of all the times over twenty plus years that I've been told "Oh no, you can't walk there!" at WDW. The funniest one was walking from a FW cabin to the middle outpost. It is nothing and I had walked to the lake end many times. A bus driver stopped us and told us it is way too far. I will never forget it.

I said "Sir, you can see it through the trees!'.

He could not believe that we would walk that *far*!

Have a wonderful time. Oh how I miss those trees. Magical!

 

[Dean]

Sorry, Dean. I just can't agree with you on this one. Comparing the island to WDW's theme parks is like comparing apples to oranges. I agree with you that it would be crazy to go to WDW for the first time and not go to the parks. That is the main reason that people go to Disney. But going to the lighthouse or the Coastal Discovery Museum is not the main reason people go to Hilton Head Island. Plus if there is anything the OP would like to do on the island that is not within a bike ride or walking distance away, there are taxis. Plus, I checked some flights from Toronto to Savannah, and they are considerably cheaper than going to Orlando. Yes, you still have the ground transportation to the island, but I think it would be totally worth it since the OP is intrigued about this location.

That's fine and I realize the bad day on vacation/good day at work analogy applies here. And I love HH, we'll be there next summer with family, I currently have 6 villas on the beach. I just think it's a poor choice given the situation and stated goals and that there are better choices to accomplish a beach vacation without a car.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

That's fine and I realize the bad day on vacation/good day at work analogy applies here. And I love HH, we'll be there next summer with family, I currently have 6 villas on the beach. I just think it's a poor choice given the situation and stated goals and that there are better choices to accomplish a beach vacation without a car.

Don't mean to pick on you, Dean! But...the OP never says she wants a "beach vacation." Instead, she states that she is "super interested in trying [Hilton Head] out" and wants travel tips for getting there and getting around. I have a feeling she would like to use her DVC points outside WDW, not spend money on a hotel on a beach. For all these reasons, I would recommend it.

OP, good luck whatever you choose!

 

[Dean]

Don't mean to pick on you, Dean! But...the OP never says she wants a "beach vacation." Instead, she states that she is "super interested in trying [Hilton Head] out" and wants travel tips for getting there and getting around. I have a feeling she would like to use her DVC points outside WDW, not spend money on a hotel on a beach. For all these reasons, I would recommend it.

OP, good luck whatever you choose!

I wouldn't in this situation as the first time without a car. The OP can make their own decision as to what they want to do. If using the points is the goal (not stated per se), then I think there are still better places and by the time you spend more money and aggravation on the transportation, using the points isn't that much of a savings. IMO it's a poor choice as the first trip without a car, you're welcome to hold a different opinion.

 

[luvvwl]

I think you can definitely do it without a car! Heck, most people leave their cars in the parking lot and bike everywhere! Of course, this is dependent on whether or not you actually want/like biking/walking!

 

[pangyal]

Don't mean to pick on you, Dean! But...the OP never says she wants a "beach vacation." Instead, she states that she is "super interested in trying [Hilton Head] out" and wants travel tips for getting there and getting around. I have a feeling she would like to use her DVC points outside WDW, not spend money on a hotel on a beach. For all these reasons, I would recommend it.

OP, good luck whatever you choose!

This is spot on as we have done so many trips to the Caribbean as well as Orlando of course since joining DVC, and are more looking for an active getaway where we don't just do beach, but walk around much of the time and see everything !

 

[pangyal]

It does seem like a grand lovely adventure, I agree. Have fun. I have taken a car but walked and biked more than I used it.

This thread is making me smile and laugh. And totally OT. First, I too live in Toronto. And the car sits a lot. As we're walking, walking, walking. Sometimes hours.

And it reminded me of all the times over twenty plus years that I've been told "Oh no, you can't walk there!" at WDW. The funniest one was walking from a FW cabin to the middle outpost. It is nothing and I had walked to the lake end many times. A bus driver stopped us and told us it is way too far. I will never forget it.

I said "Sir, you can see it through the trees!'.

He could not believe that we would walk that *far*!

Have a wonderful time. Oh how I miss those trees. Magical!

Ha!!! We have had almost exactly the same experience on vacation many times, with people giving us sideways looks as they expect us to drop from our ten minute walk from A to B. I don't know that it's easy to explain to people who don't live in Toronto proper just how useless driving is here ! Even at WDW we have kiddo walking eight plus hours a day with no trouble...we do that every weekend on the Islands.

I'm feeling emboldened by the overall sense that it's totally doable. I'm going to start looking into booking next summer and of course flights.

Thanks so much everyone !

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Ha!!! We have had almost exactly the same experience on vacation many times, with people giving us sideways looks as they expect us to drop from our ten minute walk from A to B. I don't know that it's easy to explain to people who don't live in Toronto proper just how useless driving is here ! Even at WDW we have kiddo walking eight plus hours a day with no trouble...we do that every weekend on the Islands.

I'm feeling emboldened by the overall sense that it's totally doable. I'm going to start looking into booking next summer and of course flights.

Thanks so much everyone !

Please keep us posted on how it goes next summer. BTW, if you are trying to book summer and don't own there, make sure you are trying to book at the first minute you can at 7 months out. If you can be flexible with your dates, that would be good, too.

 

[Dean]

This is spot on as we have done so many trips to the Caribbean as well as Orlando of course since joining DVC, and are more looking for an active getaway where we don't just do beach, but walk around much of the time and see everything !

Enjoy your trip. We love HH hence owning a condo there plus 8 summer Marriott weeks.

 

[pangyal]

Enjoy your trip. We love HH hence owning a condo there plus 8 summer Marriott weeks.

Oh, that would be so lovely! We know somebody who owns a condo there too and is slowly starting to spend more time at that home than his own in Toronto .