Savannah & St. Augustine combo roadtrip - Itinerary review

Question

I just booked a flight to arrive at Sanford/Orlando Airport in Oct. I have 6 days total and wondering how we should split our time in Savannah vs. St. Augustine. My tenative plans as follows (haven't booked hotels/Air B&B just yet):

Day 1 we arrive at Orlando/Sanford airport around 5:30pm. So plan to drive ~2 hrs. to St. Augustine and basically find a place to get dinner en route (Daytona?), then go straight to bed when we arrive in St. Augustine.

Day 2 - Full day touring St. Augustine. Stay overnight

Day 3 - Get up early, drive to Savannah and arrive before noon. Stay overnight in Savannah

Day 4 - Full day in Savananah / Stay overnight in Savannah

Day 5 Spend morning / early afternoon in Savannah, drive back to hotel near airport just for overnight sleep.

Day 6 Very early morning flight home.

Questions:

1) For people whom have visited both towns, Is 1 full day in St. Augustine / ~2 full days in Savannah a good split? Should we reverse it or do a more 50/50 split in time?

2) My wife would like some chill/beach time on this trip. Try to do a little of beach time at both destinatios (maybe a few hrs. at Tybee Island/ a few hrs at St. Aug. beach)? Or perhaps better to to book at a place on the beach vs. near historic districts at either 1 of those towns or both destinations so we have the convenience flexibility to just walk out from hotel to beach for an hour here or there? Which historic district would be recommended to stay at over the other?

Answer

Your itinerary for a combination road trip between St. Augustine and Savannah sounds wonderful! Here's my input on your questions:

1) Is 1 full day in St. Augustine / ~2 full days in Savannah a good split? Should we reverse it or do a more 50/50 split in time?

Overall, a 1-day visit to St. Augustine and a 2-day visit to Savannah is a good balance, but it does depend on what you’re most interested in seeing and doing. Both cities are historic and charming, but they have different vibes and offerings.

St. Augustine is smaller and more compact, so you can see most of the major attractions in a single full day. With a full day in St. Augustine, you can explore the Castillo de San Marcos, the historic downtown area, Flagler College, and take a scenic walk along St. George Street.
Savannah, on the other hand, offers more to explore, with its historic squares, River Street, the Forsyth Park, and beautiful architecture. The city is a bit larger and can take longer to explore at a relaxed pace, so spending two full days in Savannah gives you ample time to enjoy the city’s charm, food scene, and nearby attractions.
If you're particularly drawn to St. Augustine’s beach or have more interest in its historic sites, you could consider reversing the split. For most visitors, the 1:2 ratio seems to be a good approach, as Savannah offers more attractions and experiences to explore, and you’ll want more time there.

2) Beach Time: Tybee Island vs. St. Augustine Beach

Both destinations offer great opportunities for beach time, but each has its own vibe and convenience. Here's a comparison:

Tybee Island, Savannah: Tybee Island is about a 20-30 minute drive from Savannah, making it easy to access for a few hours of beach time. It’s a relaxed beach town with a good mix of locals and visitors. You can definitely enjoy a few hours at the beach or explore the Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum. If you want to spend a little more time on the beach while staying in Savannah, this is a great option.
St. Augustine Beach: St. Augustine Beach is a bit farther from the historic district (about 15-20 minutes by car), but it offers beautiful wide beaches and a more traditional Florida beach vibe. If you’re staying near the historic district in St. Augustine, it’s easy to drive over to the beach for a few hours, but there are fewer beach resorts directly in the historic area. It could be a great place for a few hours of relaxation.

Where to stay for beach access vs. historic charm:

If your main priority is quick and easy access to the beach, you could consider booking a hotel or Airbnb on Tybee Island (for Savannah) or near St. Augustine Beach. This way, you can easily walk out to the beach for short visits, but you’ll likely be farther from the historic districts.

Savannah Beach: If you stay on Tybee Island, you’ll have beach access but will be about a 20-30-minute drive from Savannah’s Historic District. Staying on Tybee Island can provide a more relaxed beach atmosphere with the flexibility of quick beach access and day trips to Savannah.
Historic Savannah: For a true Savannah experience, stay in the historic district. This allows you to explore the squares, River Street, and Forsyth Park, but you’ll need to drive or take a short trip to the beach. It's a good option if you prefer the charm and walkability of historic Savannah over immediate beach access.

If you're interested in a more beach-focused stay, Tybee Island offers the best option, but if you want a mix of historic charm and quick access to beaches, staying in the historic district of Savannah and making a day trip to Tybee works well.

Ultimately, your itinerary looks great, but depending on your priorities, adjusting the time split or considering where you stay might make your experience more enjoyable. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Savannah & St. Augustine combo roadtrip - Itinerary review

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