Clearwater Transportation

Whether you wish to travel by air or road, you have several options to choose.  There are two major airports with a number popular airlines. There is also wide coverage of interstate, state and local highways to provide means to travel through cars, buses or rental vehicles.

Airports

There are two airports in the area served by over 20 major airline services.  With several competitive packages, efficient facilities and wide range of amenities, these two airports are gateways to the region.  There is also a small airstrip located on Hercules Avenue called the Clearwater Airpark that is home to many private aircraft and offers flight lessons for the adventurous.  This airport does not accommodate commercial planes.

Tampa International Airport

According to the recent rankings of worldwide airports by Conde Nast, Tampa International Airport (TIA) has been rated as one of the best airport in the world.  Located at just about 30-45 minutes from the beachfront accommodations, Tampa International Airport is conveniently served by a wide range of airlines.  Annually, the airport handles over 20 million passengers.  Located on about 3,300 acres, the airside terminals of the airport measure over 1 million square feet.  Bus services, limousine, and taxi services link the airport with the city.

St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport

Much smaller than the Tampa airport, St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIA) has an advantage in its proximity to the beaches and places of visit in Clearwater including fewer crowds and often lower fares.  The terminal is also among one of the best in the country.  The features of this airport are its central location enabling a quick drive time throughout the Tampa Bay region, convenient and affordable parking facilities, short distances within the airport, and un-congested terminal that is easy to navigate through.  Without much of crowds and delays, the passengers are able to avail some of the world-class facilities and services at the airport. In addition to chartered services to several popular domestic and international destinations, PIA also offers direct services to some of the convenient destinations across the US and Canada.  There are good number of bus, taxi and limousine services linking the airport with the main city, beach and places of visit. 

Travel by Road

Driving to here by car is also very popular through some of the well-developed interstates along the Midwest and Northeast and Orlando corridors respectively through I-75, I-95, and I-4.  The driving distances from some of the major stations are as follows.  Atlanta - 470 mi/756 km, Chicago - 1,160 mi/1,867 km, Boston - 1,361 mi/2,190 km, Cleveland - 1,116 mi/1,796 km, Miami - 257 mi/414 km, Detroit - 1,184 mi/1,905 km, New Orleans - 636 mi/1,024 km, Montreal - 1,518 mi/2,443 km, Orlando - 105 mi/169 km, New York City - 1,154 mi/1,857 km, Pittsburgh - 1,041 mi/1,675 km, and Toronto - 1,398 mi/2,250 km. Some of the best routes to the Clearwater area by road are Daytona Beach to St Petersburg (I-4), St Petersburg to Tampa (I-275), and the East–West cross-state highway extending from Clearwater to Vero Beach (State 60).  Most of these roads are maintained in excellent condition.

Many of the major car rentals are available including Avis Rent-A-Car, Dollar Rent-A-Car, Budget Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz Rent-A-Car, National, Alamo and Thrifty Car Rental.

There a number of the popular taxi services, and of course ride sharing service like Uber and Lyft.

Getting around area

Jolley Trolley is highly unique and offers an interesting way to travel around Clearwater and Clearwater Beach.

The Jolley Trolley now operates several routes.  See the Jolley Trolley site for schedules and rates.  This can certainly prove to be a fun alternative and much cheaper than a car or limo, enabling groups to travel together enjoying the scenic landscape all along.

Suncoast Beach Trolley operated by Pinellas Suncoast transit Authority is another wonderful way to get around the area from downtown Clearwater to Pass-A-Grille.  For more information, go to Suncoast Beach Trolley.