CAT Bus Question (Savannah, Wilmington Island: how much, hotels, taxes)

[midgeorgiaman]

I am coming to Savannah for work (teacher) for 2 days. With budget cuts, I am limited to 84 dollars per night total for hotel. I will be attending a conference near River Street and 84 a night including taxes just doesn't seem feasible near the historic district. I am looking at staying at a midtown area hotel on Abercorn.

1st Question: I see that the CAT bus runs from there to downtown for a buck. Is it safe? (I am a 30 year old male: merely poor or a little sketchy doesn't bother me, robberies do) Or should I plan to drive in and find parking downtown?

2nd Question: Are cabs plentiful in the downtown area if I choose to go have some evening drinks with friends?

Thought I'd ask those that know best. Thanks in advance for your help.

[WanderingImport]

If money is your concern, I would take the CAT bus over driving downtown to find parking. Crime/robberies on buses shouldn't be an issue. Besides, parking is a nightmare downtown and if you find a parking garage (which would be strongly recommended) then you'll end up paying anywhere from $5-10 a day for parking.
Yes, cabs are around, but its not like New York where you can just hail one from the street. However, if your conference is downtown, you can pretty much walk anywhere for drinks downtown. Cab fare from downtown to the southside can run you roughly $10+ depending on where you are coming from and/or going.

[midgeorgiaman]

Thanks so much for the info. You have been most helpful.

[ellie]

With our economy as slow as it is and with as many large hotels that have been added to the Historic District recently, I imagine there are a lot of rooms sitting empty, especially this time of year.

You might try contacting some of the downtown hotels, particularly the chains. You can always tell them why you're here and how much you have to spend and see if they'll make you an offer.

Or you could go online to one of those "deal" sites.

[WanderingImport]

An average nights stay downtown will still run you around $100 on the cheaper end, unfortunately.
Ellie's second suggestion is a great one! Try calling a hotel downtown, one of the cheaper ones, and asking for their rates

Quick secret about those deal sites (travelocity, hotels.com, etc.); they are almost always going to be more expensive than the hotel website itself or just calling the hotel and making a reservation.

[KevK]

CAT is very safe and friendly. My daughter rides it all the time from AASU down Abrecorn Street and never has a problem with it. It runs from about 6 AM to 11:30PM.
Chatham Area Transit

[Just Plain Al]

Originally Posted by KevK

CAT is very safe and friendly. My daughter rides it all the time from AASU down Abrecorn Street and never has a problem with it. It runs from about 6 AM to 11:30PM.
Chatham Area Transit

Some of my friends at Kroger's ride it from South Side to Wilmington Island, and back, every day without a problem as well.

[gaflsc]

If you're gonna stay downtown, take advantage of the free "Dot" shuttles. Why pay bus fare when you can ride around for free?

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by gaflsc

If you're gonna stay downtown, take advantage of the free "Dot" shuttles. Why pay bus fare when you can ride around for free?

This is a good recommendation, but don't be fooled. They only run downtown and aren't 24/7. If you end up arriving downtown and want to have a few drinks as you mentioned in your earlier post, I would take dot. There are schedules and routes posted at their stops. They won't take you between places like the southside and downtown though.