Flying to Hilton Head Island

Flying to Hilton Head Island means choosing between convenience and choice. The island airport is minutes from everything and quick to get through, but it has three airlines and a handful of routes, most of them seasonal. Savannah has nine airlines and nonstops from almost 40 airports, and with more competition the fares are often lower; the cost is an hour’s drive each way and, usually, a rental car. Price both, and count the drive and the car. The full comparison, with Charleston as a third choice, is on the closest airport to Hilton Head.

What airlines fly into Hilton Head? At the island airport, American, Delta and United, all on regional jets from their hubs. Every other airline lands in Savannah. Hilton Head airport flights and their schedules are on the Hilton Head airport page, and Savannah’s full list on the Savannah airport page.

Direct flights to HHI, the island, come only from airline hubs, so from anywhere else the choice is a connection into the island or a nonstop into Savannah and the drive. Driving from the Southeast instead? How to get to Hilton Head has drive times from 18 cities.

Airfare to Hilton Head Island runs highest, and plane tickets to Hilton Head sell out first, in the busy weeks: spring break in March and April, the RBC Heritage golf tournament in April, summer, and Thanksgiving. Most of the seasonal routes to both airports run from spring into the fall, so a winter trip often means a connection. Book those weeks early, and book the rental car with the flight, since the island airport’s cars can run short too.

Flying into Savannah? Plan the last hour: Savannah airport car rental compares the nine rental brands, and Savannah airport to Hilton Head covers shuttles, car services, taxis and Uber. Arriving on a summer Saturday, when most vacation rentals change over, an early flight beats the traffic onto the island.