From Local/Regional Airports
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Take I-275 South toward St. Petersburg (34 miles)
- Take exit 5 for US-19 South toward Bradenton (0.7 miles)
- Take US-19 South (2.4 miles)
- Take a right at US-41 South (4.3 miles)
- Take a right at 1st St./US-41 South
- US-41 South will take you to Sarasota
Albert Whitted Airport, St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE)
- From the airport, head west on 8th Ave. SE / National Ave. SE toward 1st Street South
- Turn right at 1st Street SE
- Turn left at 4th Ave. South
- Slight right onto I-175 West
- Take exit onto I-275 South toward Bradenton (Partial toll road) (34 miles)
- Take exit 5 for US-19 South toward Bradenton (0.7 miles)
- Take US-19 South (2.4 miles)
- Take a right at US-41 South (4.3 miles)
- Take a right at 1st St./US-41 South
- US-41 South will take you to Sarasota
Bradenton-Sarasota International Airport (SRQ)
Northern End of Longboat Key
- Head north on US-41 from the airport.
- Take US-41 North to Cortez Road
- Take a left on Cortez Road heading west
- Cortez Road will take you to Gulf of Mexico Drive - the main way on Longboat Key
Southern end of Longboat Key
- Head south on US-41 from the airport.
- Take US-41 South to North Gulfstream Ave/John Ringling Blvd/SR-789
- Drive through and around St. Armand's Circle (it's like a BIG rotary with lots of fancy shops and restaurants) and head toward John Ringling Parkway.
- Follow John Ringling Parkway to Gulf of Mexico Drive - the main way on Longboat Key
If you are staying somewhere else in Sarasota, not on Longboat Key, you will likely need to be on US-41 South at some point. Let us know where you are staying and we can give you specific directions.
Ground Transportation
Cars
There are various car rental companies at both Tampa International and Bradenton-Sarasota International airports. Sharing rental and gasoline costs, like accommodations, is ideal for budgeting, so we can help coordinate this as well.
Limos/Taxis
From Tampa, if you just want to get to Sarasota and will either rent a car there or you will be sharing with people who already have a car you'll be sharing, you can take a limo service that runs about $75-$80 for the trip. That is usually the total cost whether you have 1 person or 4. That service is:
- American Limo, phone: 941-724-5466
In the Sarasota and Longboat Key area, you can use either Yellow Cab of Sarasota, or Yellow Cab of Longboat Key:
- Yellow Cab, Sarasota: 941-955-3341
- Yellow Cab, Longboat Key: 941-383-8885
Bus
SCAT - Sarasota County Area Transit
The bus services are pretty good in the Sarasota area, as well. Basic fares are $0.75 and an all day pass is $3.00.
- Route 2 bus: Airport to Downtown Sarasota
- Route 4 bus: Downtown Sarasota to St. Armand's Circle
- Route 18 bus: Runs along Longboat Key and also runs to St. Armand's Circle and Downtown Sarasota (close to the Ceremony at Selby Gardens). This bus runs every half hour beginning at 5:30 am to midnight.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key is a north-south, two way-road. While the distance from the southern end to the northern end is a straight and flat 20 miles, it may take more time to get from one place to another due to the traffic.
There are only three main ways to get to the island: Manatee Avenue and Cortez in Bradenton, and John Ringling Parkway in Sarasota. With bridges going up and down for boats, a high volume of beachcombers and sunbathers heading to the white sandy Gulf beaches, and lots of tourists checking out St. Armand's circle where there are lots of pedestrians, it's wise to plan ahead. For example, from Selby Gardens to the reception at Harry's, allow yourself about 40 to 45 minutes on a Saturday evening. Hopefully it will only take 30, but just in case, keep the above points in mind.
Like everything else, please let us know if you're having any issues or concerns getting to and from the airport, or anywhere locally. There will be enough people with cars who we're sure would be happy to give rides or share costs.
Travel safe and we're excited to see you!
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Take I-275 South toward St. Petersburg (34 miles)
- Take exit 5 for US-19 South toward Bradenton (0.7 miles)
- Take US-19 South (2.4 miles)
- Take a right at US-41 South (4.3 miles)
- Take a right at 1st St./US-41 South
- US-41 South will take you to Sarasota
- If you are staying on the northern end of Longboat Key, you will not need to follow US-41 all the way into Sarasota. You will follow US-41 South to either Manatee Avenue or Cortez Road. Take a right onto Manatee Ave (west) or Cortez Road (west) and these roads will take you out to Gulf of Mexico Drive (Anna Maria and Longboat Key).
- Let us know where you are staying and we can give you specific directions from Manatee Avenue or Cortez.
Albert Whitted Airport, St. Petersburg/Clearwater (PIE)
- From the airport, head west on 8th Ave. SE / National Ave. SE toward 1st Street South
- Turn right at 1st Street SE
- Turn left at 4th Ave. South
- Slight right onto I-175 West
- Take exit onto I-275 South toward Bradenton (Partial toll road) (34 miles)
- Take exit 5 for US-19 South toward Bradenton (0.7 miles)
- Take US-19 South (2.4 miles)
- Take a right at US-41 South (4.3 miles)
- Take a right at 1st St./US-41 South
- US-41 South will take you to Sarasota
Bradenton-Sarasota International Airport (SRQ)
Northern End of Longboat Key
- Head north on US-41 from the airport.
- Take US-41 North to Cortez Road
- Take a left on Cortez Road heading west
- Cortez Road will take you to Gulf of Mexico Drive - the main way on Longboat Key
Southern end of Longboat Key
- Head south on US-41 from the airport.
- Take US-41 South to North Gulfstream Ave/John Ringling Blvd/SR-789
- Drive through and around St. Armand's Circle (it's like a BIG rotary with lots of fancy shops and restaurants) and head toward John Ringling Parkway.
- Follow John Ringling Parkway to Gulf of Mexico Drive - the main way on Longboat Key
If you are staying somewhere else in Sarasota, not on Longboat Key, you will likely need to be on US-41 South at some point. Let us know where you are staying and we can give you specific directions.
Ground Transportation
Cars
There are various car rental companies at both Tampa International and Bradenton-Sarasota International airports. Sharing rental and gasoline costs, like accommodations, is ideal for budgeting, so we can help coordinate this as well.
Limos/Taxis
From Tampa, if you just want to get to Sarasota and will either rent a car there or you will be sharing with people who already have a car you'll be sharing, you can take a limo service that runs about $75-$80 for the trip. That is usually the total cost whether you have 1 person or 4. That service is:
- American Limo, phone: 941-724-5466
In the Sarasota and Longboat Key area, you can use either Yellow Cab of Sarasota, or Yellow Cab of Longboat Key:
- Yellow Cab, Sarasota: 941-955-3341
- Yellow Cab, Longboat Key: 941-383-8885
Bus
SCAT - Sarasota County Area Transit
The bus services are pretty good in the Sarasota area, as well. Basic fares are $0.75 and an all day pass is $3.00.
- Route 2 bus: Airport to Downtown Sarasota
- Route 4 bus: Downtown Sarasota to St. Armand's Circle
- Route 18 bus: Runs along Longboat Key and also runs to St. Armand's Circle and Downtown Sarasota (close to the Ceremony at Selby Gardens). This bus runs every half hour beginning at 5:30 am to midnight.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key is a north-south, two way-road. While the distance from the southern end to the northern end is a straight and flat 20 miles, it may take more time to get from one place to another due to the traffic.
There are only three main ways to get to the island: Manatee Avenue and Cortez in Bradenton, and John Ringling Parkway in Sarasota. With bridges going up and down for boats, a high volume of beachcombers and sunbathers heading to the white sandy Gulf beaches, and lots of tourists checking out St. Armand's circle where there are lots of pedestrians, it's wise to plan ahead. For example, from Selby Gardens to the reception at Harry's, allow yourself about 40 to 45 minutes on a Saturday evening. Hopefully it will only take 30, but just in case, keep the above points in mind.
Like everything else, please let us know if you're having any issues or concerns getting to and from the airport, or anywhere locally. There will be enough people with cars who we're sure would be happy to give rides or share costs.
Travel safe and we're excited to see you!