Clearwater Transportation

 

Clearwater area is conveniently linked with the other parts of the country with an extensive network of air and land transport.  Whether you would like to travel by air or road, you have several options to choose.  Apart from two major airports served by many of the popular airlines, the wide coverage of national and state highways provides a convenient way to travel through cars, buses or rental vehicles. 

 

Airports

There are two airports in the Clearwater area served by over 30 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 about 18,867,541 passengers (2006).  Located on about 3,300 acres, the airside terminals of the airport measure over 1 million square feet.  The major airlines that serve Tampa International Airport are Air Canada, American Airlines, AirTran Airways, Cape Air, America West Airlines, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Jet Blue Airways, Gulfstream International Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Ted Airlines, WestJet, US Airways, and US Airways Express.  Tampa International Airport is located at 8 km (5 miles) to the northwest of downtown Tampa, with a travel time of just fifteen minutes.  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 lower fares.  The new terminal recently developed by the airport is also one of the best in the country.  The features of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International 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.  Some of the most popular airlines that offer their services to the airport are Allegiant Air, USA 300 Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Sun Wing Airlines, and Transat Holidays, in addition to charter services like Sea Coast Airlines.  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 Clearwater 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 to Clearwater 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 the roads linking Clearwater are maintained in excellent condition.

 

Traveling by bus is easily affordable and enables a travel view of the country.  In addition to offering an exciting journey, the passengers can even stop every two hours during the journey.  Grey Hound Bus Lines provide several services to Clearwater with many packages.  The company has an extensive bus service interconnecting Continental North America, Mexico and Canada.  Greyhound can also prove to be an economical and interesting travel option.

 

Some of the reputed car rental companies that can offer a convenient travel experience to Clearwater are Avis Rent-A-Car, Dollar Rent-A-Car, Budget Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz Rent-A-Car, National /Avis Rent-A-Car, Alamo, Thrifty Car Rental, and West Coast Van Rental.

 

Some of the popular taxi services running inside the city are AAA Taxi and Limo Co., Bats Taxi Co., Bay Area Yellow Cab, Bay Cab Inc., Beach Taxi and Airport Service, Blue Star Cab, Clearwater Yellow Cab Co., Rent-A-Ride of Pinellas County, Independent Taxi Service, St. Pete Taxi, Inc., and St. Petersburg Yellow Cab Co.

 

 

Getting around in the Clearwater area

Jolley Trolley is highly unique to Clearwater Beach and offers the most exciting travels inside Clearwater for charges as low as $1.25 from one end to the other end of the beach.  For the same charge, you can also stay at the trolley for whole day long if you do not get off. The concession charge for senior citizens above 65 and kids between 4 and 10 years old is just 60 cents.  For children below 3, the ride is totally free of cost.  Jolley Trolley operates in two routes in the Clearwater area.  The Clearwater beach to Sand Key route passes through Sheraton Sand Key Hotel, Shoppes at Sand Key, Ultimar, Marriott, and 880 Mandalay.  The round trip in this route takes about thirty-five minutes.  The Downtown and Island estates route passes through Marine Science Center, Publix Shopping Center, 700 Island Way, and Park Street Station.  In this route, the average time for round trip travel is just thirty minutes.  Jolley Trolley also offers chartered trips for big parties and groups for highly economical prices.  This can certainly prove to be a fun filled alternative much cheaper than a car or limo, enabling big groups to travel together enjoying the scenic landscape all along.

 

Suncoast Beach Trolley operated by Pinellas Suncoast transit Authority is a wonderful way to enjoy exciting travel all along the Clearwater Beach to Pass-A-Grille.   The services are operated every 20-30 minutes between 5:05 am and 10:10pm on all days with services until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.  The charge per ride or for the entire day is just $1.50.  Unlimited daily go card facility is also available at just $3.50 for the whole day.  All the trolleys provide accessibility to wheelchairs.