{"id":1936,"date":"2022-12-23T08:18:43","date_gmt":"2022-12-23T13:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=1936"},"modified":"2023-05-03T11:04:49","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T15:04:49","slug":"do-you-need-a-rental-car-to-explore-hilton-head","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2022\/12\/do-you-need-a-rental-car-to-explore-hilton-head\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Need a Rental Car to Explore Hilton Head?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many people that have only just begun planning their next to Hilton Head Island have a long list of questions, and you might be one of them! Which beaches are public? Are there really alligators<\/a>? Where can you order the best crab legs? The list goes on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One question that tends to come up a lot is whether or not visitors need to rent a car for their stay. Our answer? Yes\u2026and no. Read on for an honest, side-by-side comparison that will help clear up some of the confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"People<\/a>

Photo by Darwin Vegher<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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I\u2019m flying into\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hilton Head Island Airport<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your plane is landing on Hilton Head Island, you\u2019re already ahead of the game.  If you choose to use a cab service or a rideshare to get to your accommodations, the drive won\u2019t take up too much time since the island itself is only 12 miles long.  Pro tip: you\u2019ll probably have more luck with a local transportation company than a rideshare app, especially if you\u2019re not visiting for spring break or summer vacation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Savannah\/Hilton Head International Airport<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let the name of this airport confuse you. If you land in Savannah, you have an additional one-hour\u2019s drive to get to the island. Cabs and rideshare fares will definitely add up, but sometimes people feel more comfortable with transportation to and from the airport in new places. We\u2019d recommend a car in this situation, but everyone\u2019s different!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Plane<\/a>
Photo by Voo Q<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The weatherman says it\u2019ll be\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot   <\/em>                          <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is when Hilton Head shines brightest\u2014literally. Most people will only want to head to the beach, and since the island is known for its convenient public pathways<\/a>, biking to one of the many beaches is honestly the best way to get there. You can lock up your bikes at the entrances, or take them with you to enjoy a nice beach bike ride. Of course, biking isn\u2019t for everyone, but it\u2019s going to be the most efficient form of transportation, especially in the busier seasons when beach parking tends to fill up fast and traffic starts to increase. Other activities like boat cruises, mini golf, and more are spread out throughout the island, so it all depends on how active you want to be on your bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Step<\/a>
Photo by Wheelz of Hilton Head<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cold<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s certainly true that there are far fewer crowds when the weather turns a little chillier, however, what is considered, \u201ccold\u201d to some people may be more refreshing to others. So, feel free to layer up and still rent that bike for an afternoon ride\u2014the sunshine and workout will keep you warm and the fresh air will feel better than being stuck in a stuffy room.  The winter and early spring months are perfect for exploring the surrounding Lowcountry, so you would need a car to reach nearby towns and locations that you won\u2019t be able to if you only had a bike on hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rainy<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our coastal weather can be unpredictable, making planning your trip a little daunting, especially in the summer\u2014or dare we say hurricane season! Most of the time, you can bet that the future forecast of all-day showers will clear up by the time you check it again the morning of, but when it\u2019s hot and humid, don\u2019t be surprised if you get caught in a short afternoon rainstorm.  If you know it\u2019s going to be cold and rainy, just book the rental car. If you have a lot of fancier dinner plans throughout the week, book the rental car or be prepared to spend some money on rideshare or cabs. Getting caught in the rain on a bike is never fun, but don\u2019t think your whole day is ruined\u2014duck into a gift shop or stop for lunch and wait it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can I really get anywhere on a bike?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, for the most part.  If you\u2019re planning on staying relatively close to where you\u2019re staying\u2014which most people do\u2014then bikes are ideal.  If you\u2019re worried about how you\u2019re going to lug around your cooler to the beach or bags of souvenirs back from the shops, check out the many different attachments that bike shops offer<\/a>. This goes for child seats and other ways to help those little ones in your group who aren\u2019t able to ride on their own find a way to tag along for the ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes breaking out the bike to go somewhere just isn\u2019t feasible. Have dinner plans that has a dress code? Want to explore Sea Pines, Daufuskie, or Bluffton? There are some reasons why rental bikes aren\u2019t always the answer. If you feel like you need some sort of wheels that aren\u2019t necessarily a rental car commitment, check to see if your accommodations allow you to\u00a0rent a golf cart<\/a>\u00a0on the South End of the island instead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Golf<\/a>
Photo by Wheelz of Hilton Head<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In summary\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the most part, Hilton Head Island offers a wide array of dining options and activities that are going to be within walking or biking distance. If you\u2019re still unsure that relying on other transportation than just hopping into a rental car is for you, book the rental car.  Regardless of your decision, make sure to research where you\u2019re staying and pack some patience. You\u2019re going to be on island time after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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