A car is essential in Hiawassee — there is no local bus service, no taxi network, and no rideshare coverage to speak of. The town itself is small enough to walk from end to end, but the surrounding area that makes it worth visiting (the lake, Brasstown Bald, the fairgrounds, the hiking trailheads) all require driving. Mountain roads in Towns County are paved throughout but winding and sometimes steep, particularly the ascent to Brasstown Bald and the routes south into the Chattahoochee National Forest.
US-76 runs through the centre of Hiawassee and is the main artery connecting it to Blairsville (about 20 miles southwest) and to the Tennessee Valley towns to the north. Fuel and basic supplies are available in town. If you are planning a day of hiking, fill the tank before heading into the forest — there are no services once you leave the main roads.
The lake shore is accessible at several public points, including a boat ramp near the town centre. The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds has its own parking. For visitors staying at one of the lakeside resorts, some water taxi or boat transport is sometimes offered informally, but do not rely on it.