Hiawassee is a small mountain town with no public transport connections. A car is essential. From Atlanta, the most direct route is north on GA-400 to Dahlonega, then east on US-19 and US-76 to Hiawassee — about two and a half hours in normal traffic. From Chattanooga, take I-75 south to US-411 and then US-76 east; allow around two hours. From Greenville, SC, take I-85 north to US-123 west, then US-76 west — about two hours.
The nearest commercial airports are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (about 120 miles south), Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (about 100 miles northwest), and Greenville-Spartanburg International (about 100 miles east). All are large enough to serve major hub routes. Rental cars are readily available at all three.
There is no bus or rail service to Hiawassee. Charter ground transport from the airport is possible but expensive — renting a car at the airport is almost always the better option.