Was this page helpful?
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Jekyll Island Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
United States – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary. |
| Etiquette: | Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated. |
| Thanksgiving (November) |
A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges. |
|---|---|
| Independence Day (July) |
Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide. |
| Christmas (December) |
Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Lyft, Bolt |
| Helpful links: |
Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine |
| Other: | The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Jekyll Island, United States
Hurricane season June to November, most likely late August to October
Loggerhead sea turtle nesting May to August, hatchlings emerge into October
Don't miss
- 🌅 Walk along the eerie Driftwood Beach at sunrise
- 🐢 Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center rehabilitation facility
- 🚎 Explore historic Jekyll Island District by trolley tour
- 🚴♂️ Bike scenic trails and enjoy coastal marsh views
- ⛳ Play golf at Georgia’s largest public course
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Jekyll Island?
Jekyll Island offers a rare combination of natural beauty, rich history and relaxed coastal charm that's increasingly hard to find along the Eastern Seaboard. The island's 10 miles of beaches range from the shell-strewn treasure hunt of Driftwood Beach to the family-friendly swimming at Great Dunes Beach Park. History buffs will be fascinated by the Jekyll Island Club Historic District, where America's elite built their 'cottages' (actually mansions) in the Gilded Age, creating what was once called 'the richest, most exclusive club in the world.' Nature lovers can explore maritime forests, marshlands and wildlife viewing areas where you might spot nesting sea turtles, alligators or numerous bird species.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
-
1
Jekyll Market
🎈Events
-
Turtle Crawl Triathlon
-
Shrimp & Grits Festival
-
Beach Village Christmas Tree Lighting
-
Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife
-
Island Treasures Glass Float Hunt
Knowledge before you go
- Rent bikes to explore 25 miles of scenic trails through oaks and beaches.
- Take the Historic District Trolley Tour for mansion views, Mosaic Museum and Faith Chapel access.
- Visit Georgia Sea Turtle Center for rehab turtles and book behind-the-scenes tours in advance.
- Head to Driftwood Beach at sunrise for gnarled trees, fewer crowds and stunning photography opportunities.
How to travel to Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is accessible by car via a causeway from Brunswick, Georgia. Visitors must pay a daily parking fee (US$8 (£5.98)) at the entrance gate. The nearest commercial airports are Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (20 minutes away, limited flights) and Jacksonville International Airport (about 1 hour south) or Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (about 1 hour north). Amtrak's Silver Service/Palmetto line stops in Jesup, GA, about 45 minutes away by car.
Access summary
- From Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK): Rental car or taxi, about 30 minutes.
- From Jacksonville (JAX): Drive I‑95 north then GA‑520, around 1.5 hours.
- From Savannah (SAV): Drive I‑95 south then GA‑520, roughly 1.5–2 hours.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island offers diverse accommodation options, from the historic and luxurious Jekyll Island Club Resort to modern beachfront hotels like the Westin and Holiday Inn Resort. Vacation rentals and cottages provide more space for families. Jekyll Island Campground offers tent and RV sites for those seeking a more natural experience. The island has fewer budget options than nearby Brunswick and prices rise significantly during summer and holiday periods.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Jekyll Island
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jekyll Island
Ocean Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island
The Westin Jekyll Island Beach Resort
Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island By IHG
Courtyard by Marriott Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island Club Resort
Home2 Suites by Hilton St. Simons Island
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
How to get around Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is compact and perfect for exploration by bicycle, with over 20 miles of paved trails connecting major attractions. Bike rentals are widely available. A personal vehicle is useful for accessing more remote beaches and for convenience during hot weather or rain. The island is small enough that most destinations are within a 10-minute drive. Golf carts are another popular rental option for getting around.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 1% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs (Data for St. Marys, United States - 38 km away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Jekyll Island is generally very safe with low crime rates. The main safety concerns are natural: strong rip currents at some beaches, alligators in freshwater areas and occasional storms during hurricane season (June-November). Always heed posted swimming advisories.
Health & Medical
Basic medical services are available at the Jekyll Island Urgent Care Center, with more comprehensive facilities in nearby Brunswick. Heat exhaustion is a risk during summer months. Ticks and mosquitoes can be prevalent in wooded areas, so use insect repellent.
Accessibility
Jekyll Island has made efforts to improve accessibility with beach wheelchairs available for rent, accessible rooms at major hotels and some accessible trails. However, historic buildings may have limited accessibility and some natural areas like Driftwood Beach can be challenging to navigate.
Tap water
Tap water on Jekyll Island is safe to drink, though some visitors notice a slight mineral taste typical of coastal water systems. Public drinking fountains are available at major beaches, the historic district and along bike paths.
Packing recommendations for Jekyll Island
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🩴
Flip-flops
🏖️
Beach towel
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
🛁
Quick-dry travel towel
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Related articles & guides for Jekyll Island
Nearby recommended places
Looking for inspiration?
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Top digital nomad destinations and remote work hubs in North America
North America gives remote workers a strong mix of reliable infrastructure and genuine variety, from busy coastal cities to small mountain towns. Some remote workers want a big…
Read more
Discover
Best travel destinations for food allergies
Travelling with a food allergy adds a layer of planning most people never have to think about and the right destination can make that planning a lot easier. Some travellers…
Read more
Discover
Best couple vacation destinations in North America
North America might not trade on romance the way some continents do, but couples who look past the clichés will find an almost unfair amount of variety waiting for them here.…
Read more
Discover
Best destinations for first-time travelers in North America
North America offers a comfortable starting point for many first-time travelers, particularly those already familiar with English speaking countries. The United States and…
Read more
Discover
Best family friendly destinations in North America
North America is an ideal continent for family travel, with theme parks, national parks, beach coastlines and lively cities covering just about every age, interest and budget.…
Read more
Discover
Top island destinations and tropical getaways
Island travel offers a self-contained quality that few other destination types match, with defined geography, distinct local culture and the particular atmosphere that comes from…
Read more
Discover
Best island getaway destinations in North America
North America's island destinations range from the tropical Caribbean archipelagos and the volcanic Hawaiian chain to the temperate coastal islands of the Pacific northwest and the…
Read more
Discover
Top solo travel destinations and safe hubs
Travelling alone sounds like a bigger deal than it is. The first day feels strange – eating dinner by yourself, navigating without someone to double-check the map with, making…
Read more
Discover
Best travel destinations for seniors in North America
North America offers older travelers a strong mix of accessible infrastructure and destinations built specifically with comfort in mind. National parks across the continent have…
Read more
Discover
Top digital nomad destinations and remote work hubs in 2026
Working from anywhere in the world sounds simple until you actually try it and the best digital nomad destinations look different depending on what kind of remote worker you are.…
Read more
Discover
Best couple holiday destinations
Travelling as a couple sounds simple enough, yet the best couple holiday destinations mean something different to almost every pair. What feels romantic to one couple can feel like…
Read more
Discover
Top family friendly destinations and holidays
Family travel asks for different things than a solo or couples trip, with safety, ease of getting around and the ability to keep different ages happy mattering just as much as any…
Read more
Discover
Best destinations for first-time travellers
A first trip abroad works best somewhere that eases you in, rather than throwing every possible culture shock and logistical headache at you at once. Some first-time travellers…
Read more
Discover
Best solo travel destinations in North America
North America is one of the easier regions to start solo travel, mostly because the logistics are familiar. Flights are frequent, English gets you far, and the infrastructure in…
Read more
