Where Tybee is & how it works!

Tybee is about 18 miles outside of Savannah. There is only one road to get you there -- U.S. Highway 80. You can reach it from the Historic Downtown by heading east on Bay Street. In less than a mile, it will run into President Street, then President Street Extension. After about 3 miles it merges with US 80 East. From Midtown, hop on Victory Drive and head east -- you are also on US 80 East.

After entering Tybee, US 80 turns into Butler Avenue, the community's main drag that will take you past hotels, beach houses and the small downtown area. You will know US 80 has become Butler Avenue after going around a fairly sharp curve. You can't miss it. Follow Butler a mile or so farther into downtown, and hang a left onto Tybrisa St. (formerly 16th Street) and you will be deposited in a city parking lot next to the pier.

Most places you need to go on Tybee should be accessible from this main strip. Near the beginning of Butler Avenue, streets running east and west are numbered, starting with First Street at the northern end of the city and ending with 19th Street at the southern end. These are crossed by north and south running streets that are named and numbered, starting with Butler Avenue closest to the beach and ending with Sixth Avenue.

If you are going to spend the day at the beach on Tybee, you will have to pay for parking. The streets closest to the beach are metered, usually at a dollar an hour and most require quarters. The city operates three parking lots, all accessible from Butler Avenue: at the end of Tybrisa (which used to be 16th Street), 14th Street and at North Beach (by the Tybee Lighthouse). It costs $5 all day to park in one of these lots. Officially parking is patrolled every day year round from 8 AM until 8 PM. In reality, and in typical Tybee fashion, it's a more practical system: starting up about 8-ish or 9-ish and depending on the weather or crowds. If it's raining or the crowds are light, the parking enforcers may knock off early, but be aware that you are gambling if you assume they have. Like the Savannah authorities, the parking enforcers are very generous when doling out tickets and are fairly vigilant. So if you don't want a $6 expired meter ticket, don't leave your meter expired. It usually isn't any trouble finding parking on Tybee, except for a few very busy weekends. Even then, if you drive around long enough, you will almost certainly get a spot. Planning a longer stay? Parking stickers which allow you to park in all lots and at all meters without further payment are available. Property owners get them free; other nearby residents who are frequent visitors buy them from Tybee City Hall at $75 a year.

For more information about Tybee Island visit Tybee Island Online.
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