Forty-minute minimum and usually a transfer: this is Route 3
Chatham Area Transit Route 3 West Chatham runs from the Main terminal area of Savannah Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) into West Chatham, with a total trip toward downtown often clocking 40–60+ minutes and at least one transfer. This is a regular local bus line, not a dedicated airport coach, and most riders are airport or service workers headed along the I‑95 / West Chatham strip.
Cash fare sits around $1.50–$2.00 one way, which is the main upside versus a $25–$35 rideshare to the historic district. Buses on Route 3 typically show up every 30–60 minutes depending on time of day, and Reddit regulars say those headways can stretch later in the evening or on weekends, especially after 7 p.m.
The pattern is slow and local: Route 3 winds through West Chatham with many stops, then you still need another CAT route, like the 100X Airport Express or an in-town line, to reach the historic district around Broughton Street and the riverfront. One Savannah resident on r/Savannah calls Route 3 a “workhorse local line” that “crawls through West Chatham,” which matches CAT’s own published route map.
With luggage, expect some hassle. Riders on Reddit mention crowding during shift changes tied to airport and nearby warehouse schedules, especially around standard 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. switch times. Another commenter in a “best way from SAV to historic district” thread flatly said they “wouldn’t do that with luggage,” pointing to the multiple stops and the transfer requirement.
How to ride Route 3 from SAV in 5 steps
- 1. From the Main terminal arrivals area at SAV, check Google Maps Transit or the CAT website for the next Route 3 West Chatham bus; look specifically at the timestamp, since 30–60 minute gaps are common.
- 2. Walk to the signed CAT bus stop near the commercial vehicle and shuttle zone outside arrivals; plan to be there at least 5–10 minutes before the printed time in case the bus is running early.
- 3. Board Route 3, pay the $1.50–$2.00 fare in cash or with whatever payment CAT currently accepts, and hold onto your transfer or day pass if offered by the driver.
- 4. Ride through West Chatham for 25–40 minutes, then get off at the transfer point indicated in your trip plan, often a stop where you can connect to the 100X or another CAT route heading toward downtown Savannah.
- 5. Complete the transfer and ride the second bus 15–30 minutes into the historic district, then walk from the final stop to your hotel, which can easily add another 5–10 minutes on foot.
What regulars do and what to watch out for
Regular CAT riders on Reddit routinely tell visitors to skip Route 3 for airport trips unless they are sleeping or working right on its corridor near I‑95. Workers sometimes pair Route 3 with a short $8–$12 Uber or Lyft hop when schedules thin out late at night after 10 p.m., instead of relying on a full two-bus combo.
Watch for long waits and missed transfers. Locals report that total real-world time for Route 3 plus a connection can overshoot the timetable by 20–30 minutes if you just miss the next bus. Practical move: if your flight lands after about 6 p.m. or on Sunday, check the live CAT schedule first, then decide if saving $20 beats spending an extra hour getting into town.