I was in Charleston in October and when we were researching, were very surprised at the airfare costs from Newark to Savannah (so decided to go to Charleston). I think my airfare was around $270, but $310 sounds pretty good!

Open jaw as into Charleston and out of Savannah? You are going to need a car and if you do open jaw are you going to have to pay a drop charge????

Thanks for the replies, MP97950 and Dukey1. I want to leave Charleston for the last 3 nights of the trip. So I'm planning for us to fly into Savannah, stay 2 nights, pick up the rental and drive to Charleston (where we'll use it to visit a few plantations), and then drop the car there before heading back to NY. Even with the different city drop-off, costs are still less than flying RT to Savannah, renting a car to drive to Charleston, and then driving back to Savannah. It's also less than flying RT into Charleston, driving to Savannah, keeping the car for 5 nights, and then returning to Charleston. I'd also prefer open jaw since it's a very short trip and I'll be traveling with my mother. Road trips are nothing for me (especially super short ones like this), but I know even 2 hour drives can be a little tiring and I'd like to make everything as easy as possible for her.

Your ideas are sound. Savannah is a small airport and generally more expensive and less convenient than Charleston.

The other flights to look at would be from Jacksonville, FL, about 2 hours south of Savannah.

But 310 is a good price.

I've been researching Charleston & Savannah. I spent one quick night in Charleston over Thanksgiving and can't wait to go back. During that trip I met with several people who live there. When I mentioned that I'd like to do both C&S, they all said..."stay in Charleston and drive up to Savannah for lunch one day". I think the drive is only an hour or so and according to, not only the people who live there, but other East Coast friends who have visited both - Savannah really only requires a few hours to "see".

I would fly in and out of CHS. Rent a car for one day and do Savannah. Seems the flights are cheaper for you and the car rental will also be less expensive.

Or with a mother who doesn't travel well...I would skip Savannah altogether and just concentrate on Charleston. I truly don't believe one needs to do both. Charleston will fill your days beautifully.

BTW: I stayed at the Holiday Inn --- yes, a Holiday Inn, in Charleston. The Holiday Inn - Mill House is right in the historic district and is a beautiful restoration of the original inn. The courtyard and breakfast buffet were wonderful and you can literally walk right out the door to great restaurants.

For our spring trip, I've been checking out some of the vacation rentals that are listed for the "Historic" section of Charleston. More room than a hotel and many look absolutely charming. A two bedroom might work for you and mom.

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/south-carolina/charleston-area/charleston

Good luck!

It is 108 miles and a bit over two hours at the most optimistic estimate.

I bet if you were in Savannah and had asked about splitting your time, the Savannans would have said, "Oh, just pop up to Charleston for lunch! Everything worth seeing is here!"

Both cities have fierce and loyal partisans and deservedly so, but they are like London and Paris: it would take a brave person to say that one is better than the other or one is a must-see and the other is not.

Very true, Ackislander. With two cities that are both so lovely sounding and with such historical significance, I know there are many champions for each (and I still have to read "The Book.") Since my mother probably won't return to the area, I wouldn't want to miss Savannah or attempt to do it in a few hours (especially with us wanting to walk the squares, see a few key homes and also visit the Bonaventure Cemetery.) But TC, you did remind me that I was considering losing one night in Savannah (still giving us 1 1/2 days there), and heading to Charleston that afternoon instead. That would allow us to start touring Charleston first thing in the morning and have 3 full days there. I'm now considering that as an option, although it'd be helpful if the cost for our Charleston hotel was comparable to what I find in Savannah... Oh well, can't have it all!

We spent a short week in Charleston and Savannah last spring. We flew in from SF and then went to DC to attend a wedding. I could not find any decent prices flying in or out of Savannah, so we flew into Charleston, visited the city and then rented a car to visit a few plantations, drove to Savannah for a few days and back to the Charleston airport to fly to DC.

You might want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it.

Thanks Michael! I actually read and saved a link to your report when I first started planning, so I know I found it helpful. Of course, now I've done so much research, I can't recall who said what! I'm going to re-read it now because the more I compare different options and costs, the more I think I'll probably forgo flying open jaw and fly RT through CHS as you did. I may come back with some questions, so hoping you'll still be around.

I think RT to Charleston is a lot better. It is easy to get to the airport. Savannah isn't that far, and there are some places to see en route that a car will be nice to have.