What to Expect on a Savannah Ghost Tour

If you’ve never done a ghost tour before, Savannah is a fitting place to start — it’s regularly called America’s most haunted city. The Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour makes it easy: 80 minutes, a covered trolley, and exclusive indoor entry to two genuinely haunted buildings. This guide walks you through the whole evening, from where to meet to what to bring, so you arrive knowing exactly how the night unfolds.

Why Savannah Is So Haunted

A little context makes the tour land harder. Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe — and built, as the lore goes, atop Indigenous burial ground. Centuries of yellow fever epidemics, fires, and a turbulent history layered more loss onto the city. The result is a Historic District where, locals will tell you, the dead never fully left. Whether or not you believe it, that backdrop is what gives a Savannah ghost tour its weight.

Where the Tour Starts

The Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour departs from the Simply Savannah Trolley Depot at 301 East River St, Savannah, GA 31401, on the historic Savannah Waterfront. At check-in, look for the black trolley with “Ghosts & Gravestones” written on the side, and for guides in period costume — a white shirt, bowtie, and suspenders for the men, a long white dress and apron for the women.

Arrive a few minutes early to check in. The tour loops through the Historic District and returns to the same depot about 80 minutes later, so you don’t have to plan a separate trip back.

Getting There and Parking

River Street parking fills up, so plan ahead. A few small lots sit along River Street itself, and there are parking garages nearby in the Historic District. Savannah’s metered parking is inexpensive — roughly a couple of dollars an hour — and, helpfully for an evening tour, on-street meters are typically free after 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and free all day Sunday. Parking rules do change, so confirm current rates and hours on the meter or signage when you arrive.

What You’ll See on the Trolley

This is a storytelling ride, not a haunted house — the scares come from history and atmosphere, told by a guide as the trolley rolls through the dark. Here’s the route.

Stop	What happens there
River Street depot	Board the “Trolley of the Doomed” and set off as dusk settles
Olde Harbour Inn	Pass a riverfront inn with maritime ghost lore
The Pirate’s House	Hear tales from one of Savannah’s oldest and most notorious buildings
Columbia Square	Roll through one of the haunted Historic District squares
Colonial Park Cemetery	Stories from one of Savannah’s oldest burial grounds
Andrew Low House	Step inside for an exclusive after-hours walk
Wright Square & Telfair Square	More haunted-square storytelling
Perkins & Sons Chandlery	Step inside a restored 19th-century ship chandlery
Return to depot	Back to River Street, about 80 minutes after departure

The Two Indoor Stops

The indoor stops are what set this trolley tour apart — most Savannah ghost tours only tell their stories from the curb. The Andrew Low House is a prestigious antebellum home, now a museum, with a long history of reported unrest; guides share staff and guest accounts of what lingers there. Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery is a restored 19th-century shipping warehouse on River Street, where waterfront and dock-side legends come alive. Stepping inside both is included in your ticket.

What’s Included

Your $43 starting price covers more than the ride. The tour includes:

Trolley transportation through the Historic District
A professional storytelling guide
An exclusive visit inside Perkins & Sons Ship Chandlery
Entry and a guided tour inside the haunted Andrew Low House

Gratuities are not included and are optional. There’s nothing else to buy on the night.

What to Wear and Bring

The tour runs rain or shine — the trolley is covered and both highlight stops are indoors — so weather rarely changes plans. A few practical notes:

Comfortable shoes. You’re seated for most of the ride, but the two indoor stops involve walking on historic flooring.
A light layer. Savannah evenings can turn breezy, especially in late fall and winter.
Leave large bags at the hotel. Luggage and large bags are not permitted on the trolley, and neither are pets or smoking.

Practical Things to Know

A few rules and tips worth knowing before you book:

Age limits: children under 6 are not permitted, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility: the trolley tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
Book ahead: the tour is a “Top pick” with over 1,286 reviews and sells out on weekends and around Halloween. Reserve a few days out — a week or more for Halloween-season dates.
Free cancellation: plans are flexible up to 24 hours before departure.

Is It Actually Scary?

Not in a jump-scare way. The Ghosts and Gravestones trolley mixes its ghost stories with a good dose of humor, which keeps it accessible for families with older kids and teens. It’s atmospheric and eerie rather than terrifying. If you want a darker, more graphic experience, Savannah’s on-foot walking tours lean further into the macabre — but for a first ghost tour, the trolley strikes a comfortable balance.

Ready to Book?

Now you know how the night runs — meet at the River Street depot, ride the Trolley of the Doomed, and step inside the Andrew Low House and Perkins & Sons Chandlery, all in about 80 minutes. From $43 per person with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Check tour availability to reserve your seat.