REVIEW · SAVANNAH GHOST TOURS

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour

4.0 · 2,723 reviews 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) From $39 Operated by Historic Tours Of America · Bookable on Viator
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Savannah’s trolley of the doomed rolls through the city after dark, pairing ghost stories with real places and a few theatrical surprises. The best part is not simply hearing about spirits. You get inside the Andrew Low House and River Street’s Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery, two stops that give the stories a physical setting.

I like the mix of history and humor, and I like that the 75-minute ride does not leave you walking through the city late at night. Guides such as Emmaline, Lin, Billy, August, Jojo, and Madame Rouge have drawn especially warm praise for their energy and storytelling. The main drawback is clear: this is not a cemetery tour, and the theatrical style may feel silly if you want a serious account of Savannah’s past.

Key points to know before booking

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - Key points to know before booking

  • After-dark access: Visit the Andrew Low House and Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery at night, when the settings take on a different mood.
  • No cemetery entry: City rules prevent cemetery visits after 8 pm, so the name can create expectations the tour does not meet.
  • A guided trolley ride: You see parts of Savannah from a heated, narrated trolley rather than walking the whole route.
  • PG-13 subject matter: Stories cover murder, death, hauntings, and other darker episodes, with humor mixed in.
  • Good guide makes the difference: The experience depends heavily on the narrator’s voice, timing, and comfort with theatrical storytelling.
  • About $39.54 per person: That is a fair price if you value the two indoor stops and evening transport, but less attractive if you want a serious history lecture.

What this Savannah ghost tour is really like

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - What this Savannah ghost tour is really like

This is a short evening show built around Savannah’s reputation as one of America’s most haunted cities. You board at 301 East River Street, settle into the trolley, and listen as the narrator introduces the city’s darker side through tales of murder, strange encounters, and restless spirits.

The trolley matters. Savannah’s historic center has plenty of atmospheric streets, but walking between several stories can take time and energy. Here, you remain seated for most of the experience and see the city at night through the windows. The ride also gives the narrator room to connect individual stories with the streets and buildings around you.

The tone is not pure horror. I would describe it as a theatrical ghost tour with a history lesson underneath. Some guides play the part with period clothing, dramatic voices, and staged scenes. Others put more weight on the facts and local background. That variation is part of the charm, but it also means your enjoyment depends heavily on who leads the tour.

The tour lasts about one hour and 15 minutes. That is long enough for a few stories and two substantial stops, but not long enough to cover every haunted corner of Savannah. Think of it as an evening sampler, not a full study of the city’s past.

Boarding at 301 East River Street

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - Boarding at 301 East River Street

The tour begins at 301 East River Street, a practical location near public transportation and Savannah’s riverfront. You should check in at least 15 minutes before departure. Arriving early helps you find the trolley without rushing, especially if River Street is busy or you are coming from dinner.

The vehicle is narrated during the ride, with a separate driver handling the road. Several guides and drivers have earned strong praise for keeping the ride smooth and the information easy to follow. One useful detail from the comments is that the sound level has worked well even for a visitor with hearing trouble, though your own seat and the guide’s volume can still affect how clearly you hear everything.

The trolley is a good choice in cool or rainy weather because the ride is enclosed and heated. Rain can still affect the walking portions, so bring a jacket or umbrella if the forecast looks uncertain. The tour requires good weather and may be rescheduled or refunded if poor conditions force cancellation.

Food and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed. Alcohol is not permitted. Pets cannot ride, except for service animals. Emotional support animals and pets in training are not accepted.

Riding through Savannah after dark

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - Riding through Savannah after dark

The ride is where the tour builds its mood. Your narrator presents tales of nefarious characters, murder, mayhem, and unexplained events while the trolley moves through Savannah. You may hear stories tied to particular streets or buildings, giving the route more texture than a collection of unrelated ghost legends.

I like this format for a first evening in Savannah. You get a broad look at the city without spending the entire night on foot, and the stories may help you decide which places deserve another visit in daylight. The ride also lets you see the contrast between Savannah’s elegant squares and its darker tales.

The style can be theatrical. Guides may dress in period clothing or perform a scene rather than simply explain it. Some people find this makes the stories easier to remember. Others may feel the acting takes attention away from the history. If you prefer a quiet, evidence-based account of old buildings, this may not be your ideal tour.

The strongest guides bring both sides together. Billy has been praised for his storytelling and local detail. Lin has been described as animated and clear. Emmaline, August, Jojo, and Madame Rouge have also been singled out for making the experience lively and easy to follow. The names of your guide and driver will depend on the departure, but the pattern is useful: expect a performance, not a dry lecture.

The Andrew Low House after dark

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - The Andrew Low House after dark

The Andrew Low House is the first major indoor stop and includes about 20 minutes of admission. Built on a trust lot facing Lafayette Square, the house gives you a look at nineteenth-century Savannah life through its rooms, setting, and original garden.

The building also connects to Juliette Magill Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. She was born in Savannah in 1860 and died in the Andrew Low House in 1927. That detail gives the stop real historical weight beyond its ghostly reputation.

At night, the house feels different from a daytime museum visit. The rooms are quieter, the lighting is lower, and the guide can focus attention on stories connected to the building. You are not simply passing a grand façade from the trolley window. You get inside and hear why the property has become part of Savannah’s haunted storytelling tradition.

There is one practical concern. The house includes stairs, and the tour is not recommended for anyone who cannot safely manage them. If mobility is an issue, contact the operator at least 24 hours ahead to ask about arrangements. The stop may be challenging for some older visitors, especially in dim conditions.

The Andrew Low House is also the tour’s best bridge between fact and folklore. Its connection to Juliette Gordon Low and Savannah’s social history gives you something solid to take away, even if you remain doubtful about ghosts.

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River Street and Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - River Street and Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery

The second special setting is on River Street, where you enter Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery after dark. The building’s connection to Savannah’s riverfront past provides a rougher counterpoint to the refined Andrew Low House.

This portion tends to be more theatrical. You might encounter a staged character, a dramatic retelling, or a darker atmosphere designed to make the stories feel immediate. One recurring highlight is the warehouse scene, which some people find memorable and spooky. Others find it too drawn out or too silly.

That split is worth taking seriously. The ship chandlery is not simply a museum stop where you quietly inspect objects and read labels. The guide shapes the experience through performance. If you enjoy ghost-story theater, this can be the most entertaining part of the night. If you want detailed historical explanation, you may wish the stop spent more time on the building and less on the acting.

River Street itself adds atmosphere. The riverfront setting, old commercial buildings, and nighttime light fit the subject well. You also get a change of pace from sitting on the trolley. Still, the stop is not a cemetery visit, and you should not book this tour expecting access to graveyards after dark.

Why there are no cemetery visits

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - Why there are no cemetery visits

The title includes Ghosts and Gravestones, but city rules prevent cemetery entry after 8 pm. Since most departures take place later in the evening, the tour does not enter cemeteries.

This is the single most important expectation to fix before booking. If you want to walk through a graveyard, look for a daytime option instead. One person specifically suggested choosing a day tour for that reason.

The absence of a cemetery does not make the experience empty. You still get the trolley ride, the Andrew Low House, River Street, and the ship chandlery. But the tour’s focus is haunted buildings and narrated stories, not tombstones and cemetery exploration.

How scary is the 75-minute experience?

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - How scary is the 75-minute experience?

The operator rates the tour PG-13. Expect stories involving death, murder, violence, and disturbing events, but do not expect a haunted-house attraction with actors jumping out at every turn.

The fear comes mainly from the setting and the story. A dark room, a historic building, and a well-timed tale can do more than loud effects. Humor keeps the mood from becoming too grim, which is why families with older children and groups of friends often find it accessible.

Children under six are not allowed. Infants and toddlers are not recommended. Older children may enjoy it, but the amount of historical detail and the darker themes are worth considering before you book for a family.

Some guides use paranormal equipment or dramatizations, while others focus on narration. That variety means the evening can feel more like a stage performance on one departure and more like a guided history ride on another.

Value at $39.54 per person

Savannah Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley Tour - Value at $39.54 per person

At about $39.54 per person, this tour sits in the middle range for a short evening activity. The price is easier to justify because it includes the narrated trolley ride, entry to the Andrew Low House, and access to Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery after hours.

I see the value in three parts:

  • You get a seated ride through Savannah instead of arranging your own evening route.
  • You enter two buildings that are not simply viewed from the street.
  • You receive both history and entertainment, with a guide carrying the story from one setting to the next.

The value drops if you only want factual history or a cemetery walk. A walking tour may give you more time with a guide and more detail about individual streets. This trolley tour gives you comfort, variety, and a strong evening atmosphere instead.

The group can reach 32 people. That is small enough to feel organized but large enough that your position in the trolley or indoor room may affect what you hear and see. Arrive early if you want to settle in without a last-minute scramble.

Which guide style will suit you?

You cannot select a specific guide from the information provided, so it is best to expect a range of personalities. The tour has been led by people such as Emmaline, Lin, Billy, August, Jojo, and Madame Rouge, each bringing a different balance of humor, drama, and historical detail.

I would book this if you enjoy:

  • Live storytelling with some acting
  • Haunted legends mixed with Savannah history
  • Short indoor visits in atmospheric buildings
  • A relaxed ride instead of a long walking route
  • Evening entertainment for couples, friends, or families with older children

I would hesitate if you want:

  • A cemetery visit after dark
  • A strictly academic history tour
  • A long, detailed look at each building
  • A consistently scary experience with little humor
  • A tour that avoids stairs

The most useful tip is to treat the tour as an entertaining introduction. Use it to hear stories, see Savannah after dark, and learn which parts of the city you want to explore more seriously during the day.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The tour is offered in English and ends back at the starting point, so you do not need to arrange a return transfer.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The tour is not recommended for people who cannot safely use stairs. Most people can participate, but the operator asks anyone with mobility concerns to call at least 24 hours ahead. Service animals are allowed, while pets and emotional support animals are not.

Should you book the Savannah Ghosts and Gravestones tour?

Book it if you want a fun, compact introduction to haunted Savannah with indoor access and a comfortable trolley ride. The Andrew Low House adds genuine historical interest, and the River Street stop gives the evening a change of setting. Strong guides can make the mix of facts, folklore, and theater work very well.

Skip it if your main goal is a cemetery visit or a serious walking history lesson. The acting will not suit everyone, and the warehouse portion may feel too staged if you prefer quiet interpretation.

For most couples, friend groups, and families with children over six, I think the tour is a fair use of an evening, especially in cool weather or when you want to rest your feet. Just book it for the atmosphere and storytelling, not for proof of ghosts or access to gravestones after dark.

FAQ

Where does the Savannah Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour depart?

The tour departs from 301 East River Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in at least 15 minutes before departure. You may check in earlier if you prefer more time to find the trolley.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Does the tour enter cemeteries?

No. City rules prohibit cemetery entry after 8 pm, and most of these tours take place after that time.

Which buildings do you visit?

The tour includes nighttime entry to the Andrew Low House and River Street’s Perkins and Sons Ship Chandlery.

Is the tour appropriate for young children?

Children under six are not permitted. The tour has a PG-13 rating because stories include mature themes involving death, murder, and other dark subjects. Infants and toddlers are not recommended.

Is the trolley tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is not recommended for anyone who cannot safely navigate stairs. If you need an arrangement for mobility reasons, contact the operator at least 24 hours before the tour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

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