Getting around

Getting Around Hilton Head Island

You don't need a car to enjoy Hilton Head. The free Breeze Trolley, seasonal beach shuttle, bike trails, and a reliable network of rideshare and taxi services cover the whole island — here's how to use them.

Last verified: September 30, 2026Town Transportation page

Breeze Trolley

Free public transit connecting the island's major corridors

Fare

Free

Operates

Year-round

The Breeze is Hilton Head Island's free public trolley service, operated by the Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority (LRTA). It runs two fixed routes covering the main island corridors — from the north end through Coligny and into Sea Pines. No fare, no pass required. Just flag it down at any marked stop.

Full schedule & real-time tracker (LRTA)

Route 1 — Island Connector

Frequency: Every 30–45 minHours: Approx. 6 AM – 10 PM daily (seasonal variation)

Runs the length of the island along William Hilton Parkway (US-278), connecting the north end near Hilton Head Plantation to the Coligny area in the south. Key stops include the Tanger Outlets, Shelter Cove Towne Centre, and the Coligny Circle.

Key stops

1
Hilton Head Plantation entranceNorth end connector
Nearby →
2
Tanger OutletsOutlet shopping
Nearby →
3
Shelter Cove Towne CentreShopping & dining hub
Nearby →
4
Palmetto Dunes entranceResort community
Nearby →
5
Coligny CircleBeach access & shopping
Nearby →
6
Sea Pines CircleSea Pines entrance
Nearby →

Route 2 — Cross Island

Frequency: Every 45–60 minHours: Approx. 7 AM – 9 PM daily (seasonal variation)

Runs the Cross Island Parkway corridor, connecting the mid-island area to the north-end beach parks and the Bluffton Parkway. Useful for reaching Driessen Beach Park, Folly Field, and the north-end residential areas without driving the main highway.

Key stops

1
Cross Island Pkwy / US-278 interchangeMain island junction
Nearby →
2
Singleton Beach RdNorth-end beach access
Nearby →
3
Folly Field Beach ParkPublic beach park
Nearby →
4
Driessen Beach ParkPublic beach park
Nearby →
5
Chaplin Community ParkCommunity park & trails
Nearby →

Trolley tips

The Breeze does not run inside private plantation communities (Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, Shipyard). It stops at the entrance gates — you'll need to walk, bike, or take a resort shuttle from there.
Real-time tracking is available through the LRTA website and the Token Transit app. Schedules are approximate — allow extra time during peak season (June–August).
Bikes are permitted on the trolley's front-mounted bike rack (first come, first served — one bike per rack). Great for combining a trolley ride with a bike trail segment.
The trolley is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. All stops have ADA-compliant boarding areas.

Coligny Beach Shuttle

Free seasonal parking shuttle from Coligny Plaza to the beach

Fare

Free

Season

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (late May – early September)

During peak season, the Town of Hilton Head Island operates a free parking shuttle between Coligny Plaza and Coligny Beach Park. The shuttle runs a continuous loop, eliminating the need to circle for a parking spot at the beach during busy summer weekends.

Pickup

Coligny Plaza parking lot, 1 North Forest Beach Dr

Drop-off

Coligny Beach Park main entrance

Frequency

Continuous loop, approx. every 10–15 min

Town beach parking page

Shuttle tips

Coligny Plaza has a large free parking lot — arrive early on summer weekends (before 9 AM) to secure a spot before the lot fills.
The shuttle is the fastest way to reach the beach on a busy Saturday in July. The beach parking lot charges seasonal fees ($2/hr, $10/day max) — the shuttle lets you park free at the plaza.
Bikes are not permitted on the beach shuttle. If you're bringing bikes, ride the trail network directly to Coligny Beach Park instead.

Rideshare & taxi

Uber and Lyft both operate on Hilton Head Island, with reliable coverage across the main island and into Bluffton. Wait times are generally short during the day but can extend to 15–30 minutes during peak evening hours in summer. Several local taxi and car services offer 24-hour availability and are often faster for airport runs.

Uber & Lyft

App-based rideshare

Island-wide, 24 hours

Both apps work well on the island. Surge pricing applies during peak summer evenings and after events. Download before you arrive — cell service can be spotty in some plantation interiors.

Uber app

Local taxi & car services

Local operators

24 hours, advance booking recommended

Several highly-rated local operators serve the island — see the directory listings below. Local services are often more reliable for early-morning airport runs and can accommodate larger groups.

Transportation directory

Browse all transportation providers

Bike rentals

With 60+ miles of paved paths, biking is one of the best ways to get around the island — and often faster than driving during peak season. All three rental shops offer delivery to most accommodations.

Pedals Bicycles

Multiple locations, e-bikes available

Find in directory

Hilton Head Bicycle Company

Near Coligny, delivery available

Find in directory

Bikes & Boards

Bikes plus paddleboards and beach gear

Find in directory

Island Life Bike Rentals & Dolphin Tours

Forest Beach location + The Curb at 36 S Forest Beach Dr

Find in directory

Full bike trails guide →

Airport transfers

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 45 minutes from the island. Hilton Head Airport (HHH) is on the island itself and serves regional flights. Both Uber and Lyft serve SAV; local car services are often more reliable for early-morning pickups.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

~45 min from Coligny Beach

The main gateway for most visitors. Served by Uber, Lyft, and all local car services. Book in advance for early-morning flights.

SAV airport website

Hilton Head Airport (HHH)

On the island — 10–20 min from most areas

Serves regional flights from Charlotte (American Eagle) and Atlanta. Small terminal; Uber and Lyft availability can be limited — book a local car service in advance.

HHH airport website

Browse airport transfer providers

Car rental

If you need a car, rental agencies are available at both airports and at several island locations. Enterprise, Hertz, and National all have island locations. That said, many visitors find they don't need a car at all — the trolley, shuttle, and bike network cover most of the island.

Parking note: Parking at Coligny Beach Park and the north-end beach parks charges seasonal fees (Memorial Day–Labor Day). The free Coligny Beach Shuttle and the bike trail network are often the better option for beach days.