Getting to Sarasota

Sarasota can be reached by a variety of means, with most international visitors having to fly into another US airport first before taking a connecting flight to Sarasota Bradenton Airport. By road, visitors can come by private or rental vehicle or via Greyhound bus, while Amtrak provides rail connections from a variety of destinations. Taxis, rental cars and a public transportation system provide options for getting around the city.

By car

Principal access to Sarasota is provided from the north via I-301 and from the south via I-41. Once in Sarasota, its easy enough to get around the city centres road system, which is designed to make access in and out of the city as rapid as possible. Congestion however is common during peak holiday seasons, when an abundance of out-of-state drivers arrive in the city.

By rail

An Amtrak station, located on Main Street, connects the city with other Florida destinations as well as with major US cities; for more information, visit the official Amtrak website at: www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage.

By bus

The ever popular Greyhound Bus Company offers buses between Sarasota and major US cities, with both day and night services available. Visit the Greyhound website for more details: www.greyhound.com/.

Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) provides public bus services in the city, covering the downtown area and a good proportion of the suburbs; more information is available at: www.scgov.net/frame/scgwebpresence.aspx?AAA498=BDC6C0B68C707CB8B8B3C074C5A4B4B4CB80BAABC6.

By air

The Sarasota Bradenton Airport provides the only air gateway into the city and serves largely domestic destinations with daily flights to cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Tampa and New York. International visitors invariably fly into another airport such as Tampa and take a connecting flight to Sarasota. The terminal is small and offers basic facilities which include a restaurant, snack bar, news-stand, gift shop and florist as well as an Automatic Teller Machine.

Taxis

Taxis can be hailed in the street, hired from stands or pre-booked by telephone in Sarasota; with the last option being the safest if you are running to a tight schedule. Call A Cab Inc (tel: +1 866 303 0222) and Emerald Green Cab Taxi (tel: +1 941 922 6666) offer reliable services. Alternatively, you can ask the reception desk of your hotel to arrange a taxi for you.