Clearwater Beach is one of the easiest Florida destinations to reach. Two airports sit within 45 minutes, the interstate network links it directly to Orlando and Miami, and once you arrive, the beach island itself is small enough to get around on foot. Here's every way to make the trip.

By Air: The Two Nearest Airports

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

  • Distance to Clearwater Beach: ~20 miles
  • Drive time: 35–40 minutes in light traffic, longer at rush hour
  • Why choose it: Most flight options (major carriers, international service, large selection of rental cars). If you are flying in from overseas, see our international visitor guide.
  • Directions: Exit TPA, take FL-60 W / Memorial Hwy west, cross the Courtney Campbell Causeway over Old Tampa Bay, continue west on FL-60 to the Memorial Causeway onto Clearwater Beach

Torn between the two? Our TPA vs PIE airport comparison for Clearwater Beach weighs flights, shuttles and taxi costs side by side.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

  • Distance: ~12 to 13 miles
  • Drive time: 25–30 minutes
  • Why choose it: Smaller, faster through security, Allegiant hub — often cheaper fares from smaller U.S. markets
  • Directions: Exit PIE, take Roosevelt Blvd north to Ulmerton Rd (FL-688) west, continue to Clearwater Beach via FL-60

Other Airport Options

  • Orlando International (MCO) — about 109 miles, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours in light traffic. Direct I-4 west to I-275 south.
  • Fort Myers (RSW) — 160 miles, ~2h 30m drive. Via I-75 north.
  • Miami (MIA) — 280 miles, ~4h drive. Long but scenic via I-75 / Alligator Alley.

By Car: From Nearby Cities

  • From Tampa: 25–30 minutes via FL-60 and Memorial Causeway
  • From St. Petersburg: 30–40 minutes via I-275 to Ulmerton Rd
  • From Orlando: about 2 to 2.5 hours via I-4 west → I-275 south → FL-60 west
  • From Jacksonville: 3h 15m via I-75 / I-275
  • From Miami: 4h via I-75 (Alligator Alley)
  • From Atlanta: 7h 30m via I-75 south

Sailing from Port Tampa Bay? See our guide to staying on Clearwater Beach before or after a Tampa cruise.

Rental Cars

Most visitors rent a car at TPA or PIE. Both airports have all major rental brands on-site. Rates start around $25–$40 per day in the off-season; expect $60+ per day in spring break and peak summer. Book 4–6 weeks ahead for the best rates. Before you sign the toll add-on, check which drives have tolls and what rental companies charge for them.

Once you're on Clearwater Beach itself, you may not use the car much. The beach island is under three miles long and completely walkable. You'll still want a car for the drive in and for day trips (Caladesi, Dunedin, St. Pete).

The Jolley Trolley

The Jolley Trolley is Clearwater's open-air trolley bus system. It runs three public routes:

  • Beach Routes: the North Beach loop (Mandalay Ave and Island Estates) and the South Beach route (Downtown Clearwater ↔ Clearwater Beach ↔ Sand Key). Both run daily from about 9:30 AM to 10 PM, later on Friday and Saturday.
  • Coastal Route: Clearwater Beach ↔ Dunedin ↔ Palm Harbor / Tarpon Springs (daily, about hourly).

Fare: $2.25 per ride, exact change if you pay cash. Day passes are no longer sold on board; tap a contactless card or phone, or use PSTA's Flamingo Fares app, and your fares cap at $5 a day. Perfect for getting around without moving your car out of a garage spot. Our guide to Clearwater Beach without a car covers trolley stops, the ferry and the PIE airport shuttle.

Ride-Share & Taxi

Uber and Lyft work reliably throughout the Tampa Bay area. Expect:

  • TPA → Clearwater Beach: $35–$55
  • PIE → Clearwater Beach: $25–$40
  • Clearwater Beach → Downtown St. Pete: $30–$45

Taxis are available at the airports and will cost slightly more than ride-share. Surge pricing kicks in during spring break and major events.

Public Transit

PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) runs city buses throughout Pinellas County. Route 60 and Route 80 serve Clearwater Beach. Useful for commuters, less useful for tourists with luggage.

Parking Once You Arrive

Three public parking garages on the beach hold well over 1,000 spaces. Read our full parking at Clearwater Beach guide before you arrive — timing makes a huge difference on busy days.

Local tip: fly into PIE if you can. It's closer, cheaper to park, and it takes half the time to clear security on your way home.
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