Hilton Head Island scenic road with palms

Getting around Hilton Head

Navigate the island like a local

Hilton Head Island is compact, flat, and bike-friendly. Once you arrive, you may not need your car at all — especially if you're staying in Palmetto Dunes.

Biking

Hilton Head has over 60 miles of dedicated bike paths, and Palmetto Dunes has its own internal trail network. Bikes are the best way to get around the resort — to the beach, the golf courses, the tennis center, and the lagoon.

Bike rentals are available at multiple locations inside Palmetto Dunes
The Palmetto Dunes trail connects to the island-wide path network
Helmets are recommended; locks are essential at beach access points

Golf carts

Golf carts are a beloved Hilton Head tradition. Many rental properties include a cart, and they're street-legal on most island roads. Perfect for evening rides to dinner or quick trips to the beach.

Check your rental listing — many Palmetto Dunes homes include a cart
Golf carts are permitted on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less
Carts must have lights for nighttime use

Driving

A car is useful for exploring beyond Palmetto Dunes — reaching South Beach, Old Town Bluffton, or the mainland. Traffic on US-278 can be heavy in summer, especially on weekends.

Arrive on Saturday or Sunday before noon to avoid the worst bridge traffic
Palmetto Dunes has ample parking at most complexes
The island has no traffic lights — roundabouts keep things moving

Getting here

Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) offers direct flights from several East Coast cities. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 45 minutes away and has the widest flight selection.

SAV is typically cheaper and has more flight options than HHH
The drive from SAV to Palmetto Dunes is about 45 minutes via US-278
Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) operate on the island

Ready to plan your trip?

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