Getting Around, Sarasota Travel, Transport and Car Rental
(Sarasota, Florida - FL, USA)
Sarasota features an international airport that receives limited overseas traffic, yet nearby Tampa International Airport is well within reach of the seaside town. Travel and transport options to Sarasota from either airport are good, while major interstate highways also feed Sarasota from all points in the country.
Travel to and from Sarasota by train and bus is straightforward, but trains do not run to Sarasota direct, although there is a convenient bus service from Tampa Station.
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) / Arriving by Air
Address: 600 Airport Circle, Sarasota, 34243, Florida FL, USA
Tel: +1 941 359 2770
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is just a few miles north of downtown and although it only receives a limited amount of overseas flights, it is served by some major carriers. These airlines include Continental, Delta, Northwest and US Airways. Highway 41 and US 301 both serve downtown Sarasota from the airport, while local buses travel to and from Sarasota Airport from Monday through to Saturday. You also have the option of taking a taxi.
Sarasota Bradenton Airport Guide
Tampa International Airport (TPA) / Arriving by Air
Tampa International Airport will usually be the port of entry for those intending to travel to Sarasota from overseas, as it is a bigger facility and receives a lot more air traffic than Sarasota International Airport. Both domestic and international flights to Tampa are usually cheaper than flights to Sarasota. Interstate 75 and US 780 run to Sarasota from Tampa, while the Sarasota-Tampa Express is a reasonably-priced transport service to various locations in Sarasota.
Tampa International Airport Guide
Car Rental
Both airports nearby central Sarasota contain multiple car rental travel offices, with Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and many others agencies being represented. Car hire rates from Tampa International Airport are some of the cheapest in Florida. US 301 from Sarasota's airport and I-75 from Tampa's airport provide access to Sarasota respectively. If you are driving to Sarasota from elsewhere in the United States, I-95 runs north-south along the Eastern Seaboard to connect with the I-4 running southwest through
Orlando. Also I-10 comes in along southern America from
Los Angeles and I-75 runs right down from the Great Lakes region.
Buses and Coaches
Greyhound Lines buses travel to Sarasota from all over the country, either direct or indirect via major centers. There are several departures from
New York per day which go via Tampa, although direct buses are available to Sarasota. Traveling via bus on long distance journeys can be uncomfortable, although Greyhound buses use major interstate highways and prices are very reasonable. For bus travel within Sarasota city, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) operate a regular service.
Trains
Traveling to Sarasota by train is a lot more comfortable than using buses, even if you only manage to purchase a seat-only ticket. Amtrak trains travel as far as Tampa to the north and there are bus connections to Sarasota from the station timed with train arrivals.
Trams
Three trolley systems operate throughout Sarasota and farther afield, making travel within the city fast and affordable. The Sarasota Trolley runs around the city on weekdays at 20-minute intervals, following 09:00 to 17:00 business hours, and every 40 minutes on Saturdays. There is also Sarasota's Main Street Trolley that travels along Main Street from Island Park and through downtown Sarasota, while the Scenic Loop Trolley provides travel to and from Island Park, Bayfront, downtown and various other points of interest.
Taxis
The main taxi service from the airport to downtown Sarasota and the hotels is Diplomat Taxi. Green Cab Taxis and Yellow Cabs of Sarasota also provide reliable taxi travel around the city and beyond.
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