From romantic evening excursions to daytime outings with fascinating stories about Savannah’s rich history, horse-drawn carriage tours are one of the most unique and memorable ways to experience Savannah’s charm and beauty during a trip to “The Hostess City.”
Before heading to Savannah, get all the details about horse-drawn carriage tours in Savannah below — including our top recommendations for tour companies and insider tips for planning a seamless carriage ride — to determine if a timeless ride through the city is the right sightseeing experience for you.
Key Takeaways
- Horse-drawn carriage tours in Savannah are a slow-paced, relaxing way to learn about the city’s rich history with a touch of Southern elegance and charm.
- Between Carriage Tours of Savannah and Savannah Carriage Tours, you can choose from public, private, daytime, evening, and ghost horse-drawn carriage tours in Savannah.
- For the most seamless horse-drawn carriage experience, book your tour in advance, and dress for the weather on the day of the tour, arriving at the meeting point 10–15 minutes early.
What Can I Expect on a Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour in Historic Downtown Savannah?
A horse-drawn carriage tour in Savannah is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Savannah’s historic beauty with a touch of Southern elegance and charm. Unlike other sightseeing tours in Savannah designed for speed and convenience (like trolley tours), carriage tours are much more relaxing and slower-paced — and the ride is just as much a part of the journey as the destination!
Most carriage tours in Savannah’s Historic District are 40–50 minutes long and feature knowledgeable guides eager to share fascinating stories about Savannah’s rich history. During a leisurely carriage tour, you’ll generally journey through Savannah’s tree-lined streets to admire beautifully restored homes and buildings that date back to the 18th century. Popular points of interest on the tour often include the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, Colonial Park Cemetery, and River Street.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour Options in Historic Savannah
Though most horse-drawn carriage tours follow a similar route and are generally the same length, different tours offer different types of experiences (and cash in at different values!). Here is a quick overview of the types of horse-drawn carriage tours you can book during a trip to Savannah:
Public Tours
Generally considered the most cost-effective way to see Savannah by carriage, public carriage tours cost $35–37 per adult (depending on the tour provider) and $15–$17 for children aged 5–11 (children aged four and under are free). On public tours, you’ll be joined by up to 12 other passengers in a spacious and comfortable carriage for a fully-narrated history tour of Savannah’s Historic District.
Private Tours
If you’re looking for a carriage tour that caters directly to your interests, a private carriage tour is a great option. These intimate tours are especially popular as a romantic experience for couples — though families with up to six people often book them to enjoy a private ride through Savannah as well! Private carriage tours start at $160–$175 per couple and can add up to $20 per additional passenger.
Daytime Tours
If seeing Savannah’s historic homes, timeless architecture, and iconic landmarks is high on your list of priorities for your horse-drawn carriage ride, booking a daytime tour is an excellent option. Both public and private tours are offered with daytime options.
Evening Tours
Perhaps you’d like to experience the beauty of Savannah during sunset or under the twinkling stars. If so, an evening tour is an exceptional choice! Depending on the tour provider you choose, both public and private tours are offered in the evening. An evening horse-drawn carriage ride is perfect for a date night — or a great option to escape the daytime heat during summer in Savannah!
Ghost Tours
Savannah is one of the most haunted cities in the United States and is known for its exceptional ghost tours. That said, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind way to learn more about Savannah’s haunted history, book a spooky ghost and folklore horse-drawn carriage tour with Carriage Tours of Savannah! This evening tour costs $40 for adults and $19 for children aged 5–11.
Best Savannah Carriage Tour Operators
#1. Carriage Tours of Savannah
Carriage Tours of Savannah is one of the most well-known and reputable carriage tour companies in Savannah. They offer a wide range of tours — daytime and evening tours, private and public tours, and ghost tours — to accommodate a wide range of interests and price points.
Something notable (and unique!) about Carriage Tours of Savannah is that their public carriage tours are pet-friendly. Small dogs can ride for free, but dogs that weigh 26 pounds or more can ride for $15.
#2. Savannah Carriage Tours
Savannah Carriage Tours is another popular horse-drawn carriage tour provider in Savannah, with great reviews and a commitment to taking exceptional care of their horses.
Though their options are more limited — just public and private tours — some of their tours come with unique add-ons. For example, for private carriage rides, you can add a dozen long-stemmed roses to your carriage experience at checkout for a romantic evening in Savannah or a Valentine’s Day surprise!
Tips for Planning the Perfect Carriage Tour in Savannah
Book in Advance — Horse-drawn carriage rides (especially private evening rides) are in high demand. Since carriage tour providers can only responsibly operate a small number of carriages at a time to give their horses proper care and time to rest, it’s important to book your carriage ride in advance to get your desired date, time, and experience during your trip to Savannah.
Dress Comfortably — All horse-drawn carriage tours are in an open-air carriage, so dress for the weather. On warm, sunny days, consider bringing sunglasses and a hat, and for evening tours (especially in the winter!), dress in layers and bring a jacket.
Pickup Etiquette — We recommend arriving at the meeting point for public horse-drawn carriage tours 10–15 minutes before the listed departure time. Generally, private carriage rides are more customizable and can pick you up at a convenient location (like in front of your vacation rental!).
Savannah Carriage Tours: Popular FAQs
Are the horses well-cared for?
Yes, both carriage tour providers in Savannah pride themselves on ethical, responsible care for their horses. Horses are treated with love and respect, and work in shifts with at least two days off per week. You can learn more about how the horses are cared for by each tour provider here and here.
Are carriage tours in Savannah kid-friendly and pet-friendly?
All carriage tours in Savannah are kid-friendly. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 can ride at a discounted rate, and lap children (aged 0–4) can ride with an adult (only one lap child per adult).
Carriage Tours of Savannah also welcomes pets on public carriage tours, though large dogs must pay a fee of $15 to ride.
Can I book a horse-drawn carriage in Savannah for my special occasion?
Both carriage tour providers in Savannah offer horse-drawn carriage rides for weddings and events. You can read about booking a horse-drawn carriage for your special occasion here and here.
Stay in the Historic Heart of Savannah During a Charming Stay with South Key
If the Southern charm and timelessness of a horse-drawn carriage ride sounds like the perfect experience to add to your itinerary during your trip to Savannah, we have a feeling you’re going to love staying in one of our charming vacation homes in the heart of Savannah!
Our beautiful vacation rentals offer the ideal blend of historic flair and modern amenities — not to mention a perfect location in Savannah’s Historic District! Browse our luxury rentals, pet-friendly homes, and cozy condos to find a chic and comfortable place to stay for your upcoming trip to Savannah.
