Is Savannah Safe in December 2026?

Street vendors or unofficial hawkers sell tickets to ghost tours at inflated prices or for tours that are significantly shorter, lower quality, or entirely different from what was advertised. Some sellers are not affiliated with the legitimate tour companies whose names they invoke.

How to avoid: Book ghost tours only through the official company website or a verified ticket booth. Verify the company name matches what you see online before paying. Avoid buying from people approaching you on the street.

Individuals stand near public or private parking areas in the Historic District claiming to be attendants and collect cash parking fees. The lots are either free, city-owned, or the person has no affiliation with the property.

How to avoid: Use official city parking garages or metered spots with posted signage showing rates and payment methods. Look for official uniforms and payment kiosks. If no kiosk exists, verify with the city parking authority.

Horse-drawn carriage operators on Factor's Walk and along the River Street waterfront quote an attractive per-person fare at point of boarding but add undisclosed surcharges on arrival — including a "carriage maintenance fee," a mandatory gratuity, or a charge for a route extension the driver took without asking. The final bill presented at the end of the ride can be 40–70% higher than the quoted price. Some drivers also claim a flat rate advertised on a sign applies only on certain days, substituting a higher unposted rate for weekend or evening rides.

How to avoid: Agree on the total price in writing or photograph the posted rate card before boarding. Confirm explicitly whether gratuity is included and whether the quoted price is per person or per carriage. Pay only what was agreed, and do not board if the driver cannot provide a clear written total.

Street performers on River Street and in the squares make physical or verbal contact — placing a hat on someone, handing them an object, posing for a photo uninvited — and then aggressively demand payment, often implying the interaction was not optional.

How to avoid: Decline or walk away from any unsolicited physical engagement. Only approach performers you intend to tip. If someone hands you something or touches you, you can return the item and leave without paying.

Savannah's St. Patrick's Day celebration is one of the largest in the US, and scammers exploit the demand by creating fake ticket sites for viewing stand access and fraudulent accommodation listings months before the event. Victims pay hundreds of dollars for non-existent seats or rentals and discover the fraud only upon arrival in March.

How to avoid: Purchase St. Patrick's Day viewing stand tickets only through the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce official channels. Book accommodation through major OTAs with fraud protection or directly with verified Historic District hotels.