From Sarasota airport to Siesta Key in short
Siesta Key is an island reached by two road bridges, so everything starts with a drive. Sarasota airport (SRQ) is the closest airport, roughly 11 miles (17.7 km) away. Allow about 25 minutes to the island, which is a rough figure because the island has no single end point. Tampa airport (TPA) is the larger and farther alternative.
There is no direct trolley from the airport to the island. The free island trolley runs only on Siesta Key itself, so plan the airport leg by car, taxi or ride app. If you want to book a trip once you arrive, our page on Siesta Key boat tours shows what is on offer.
Sarasota airport to Siesta Key: your options
What is available at SRQ and what it means for the last miles.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car | Rental counters are in or next to baggage claim | The most flexible choice for the island and for trips to Sarasota, Venice or Anna Maria Island |
| Taxi | Ground transportation desk next to the rental counters | There is no fixed airport fare to Siesta Key, so ask for an estimate before you ride |
| Ride apps | Pickup on level 1, as shown on the terminal map | Prices change with demand |
| Public bus | Bus 2 to downtown and UTC; free bus 99 to downtown Sarasota and Bradenton | No direct service to the island, and no airport trolley |
The Airport Flyer, route 76, ended on 24 April 2026. For most visitors, a rental car or a ride app is the simplest way to reach the island. Choose the bus only if you do not mind a long trip with changes and you are traveling light.
Compare rental car prices at Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ) for your travel dates on Economybookings.com.
Tours around Siesta Key and Sarasota
Boat and dolphin trips, kayak tours and day trips you can book before you land, with live prices and availability.
Tampa airport to Siesta Key
Tampa airport is the larger of the two. Plan on about 75 miles (121 km) and roughly 1.5 hours by car, and a shuttle can take 1.5 to 2 hours. Traffic and the part of the island you are going to change that, so treat it as a planning figure.
- Rental car: SkyConnect links the terminal with the Rental Car Center.
- Taxi: Taxis wait at baggage level, at Red 1 and Blue 2. The airport rate is $3.50 for the first one fifth of a mile, then $2.85 per mile, with a minimum of $22. That is a meter rate, not a fixed fare to Siesta Key.
- Ride apps: Pickup is at the Red and Blue Express curbside or at SkyCenter One. The airport adds a $5 service fee on top of the ride.
The two bridges and where to park
Which way you cross decides which end of the island you reach first.
North bridge via Siesta Drive
This leads to the north end. Continue along Higel Avenue and Ocean Boulevard to Siesta Key Village and Siesta Key Beach.
Siesta Key Village →South bridge via Stickney Point Road
This leads to Crescent Beach and South Village. Continue along Midnight Pass Road to reach Turtle Beach at the south end.
Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach →Parking at the beach
The main car park at Siesta Key Beach is free and open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Overnight parking is not allowed on county beach car parks. In the village, free street spaces line Ocean Boulevard, and there are free and paid lots.
Siesta Key Beach →Bridge work
Road work can close lanes on either bridge at times. If one bridge is affected, the other is the usual alternative. Check the Florida Department of Transportation road work page for Sarasota County before you set off.
Getting around once you are there
The free trolley, the other routes and what they cost.
| Service | Route | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77 Siesta Islander | Siesta Key Village, Siesta Key Beach, South Village, Turtle Beach | Daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Free |
| 78 Bay Runner | Downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, Lido Beach, Ted Sperling Park | Sun to Thu 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri and Sat to 11 p.m. | Free |
| Breeze buses | County bus network | Varies by route | $1.50 per boarding |
The 77 runs on the island only since 25 April 2026, so it does not take you to downtown Sarasota. Board and leave at marked stops only. The trolley has a wheelchair lift and two wheelchair spaces, and bikes are not allowed on board. Trolleys come about every 30 minutes, depending on traffic. A pilot stop at Avenue Milano and Ocean Boulevard may be added, so check the current route map.
On New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve the 77 runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. On New Year's Eve it runs until 1 a.m. The 78 does not connect directly with Siesta Key, so for St. Armands Circle plan a car or a bus transfer. Our pages on St Armands Circle and Sarasota explain what to do there.
On Breeze buses, half fare is $0.75 for riders aged 65 and over with proof. A monthly pass costs $50 and the smart card costs $4. You can pay with cash, tickets, the smart card or, since 25 April 2026, Token Transit. The free trolleys follow their own fare rules.
For most visitors, a car makes the airport leg easy, and the trolley is a good way to avoid parking once you are on the island.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go once you have arrived.
Sarasota airport to Siesta Key: frequently asked questions
How far is Sarasota airport from Siesta Key?
Roughly 11 miles (17.7 km), or about 25 minutes by car. The exact distance depends on where on the island you are going.
Is there a trolley from the airport to Siesta Key?
No. The Airport Flyer ended on 24 April 2026, and the free 77 trolley runs only on the island. Use a rental car, taxi or ride app for the airport leg.
Which airport is better for Siesta Key, Sarasota or Tampa?
Sarasota is much closer. Tampa is about 75 miles (121 km) away, roughly 1.5 hours by car. Compare flights for both airports, then add the ground leg to the total.
How much is a taxi from the airport?
There is no fixed fare to Siesta Key. At Tampa airport the taxi rate is $3.50 for the first one fifth of a mile, then $2.85 per mile, with a $22 minimum. Ask for an estimate first.
Do I need a car on Siesta Key?
A car helps for trips to Sarasota, Venice and Anna Maria Island. Within the island you can use the free 77 trolley, which serves Siesta Key Village, the beach, South Village and Turtle Beach.
Is this the official Siesta Key website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Sarasota County, an airport or a transit agency, so check their pages for current schedules and fares.