Which airport for Anna Maria Island
There is no scheduled passenger airport on the island. The closest is Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), and Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the larger alternative. Both are on the mainland, and you finish the trip by road over a bridge.
Once you are on the island you may not need a car every day, because the free trolley runs the length of Gulf Drive. You still need a plan for the airport run and for trips to the mainland. If you arrive with a free afternoon, the list of things to do in Anna Maria Island is a good place to start.
Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ) and Tampa Airport (TPA)
Two airports, two kinds of trip.
| Sarasota Bradenton (SRQ) | Tampa (TPA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the island | 18 to 20 miles (29 to 32 km) | 54 to 60 miles (87 to 97 km) |
| Typical drive | 30 to 45 minutes | 65 to 90 minutes |
| Ground transport | Limousine and SUV transfers, taxis by booking, ride apps | Taxis, shuttles and limousines, ride apps |
| Rental cars | Check rental options for your travel date | Rental car center, reached by SkyConnect from the main terminal |
Drive times change with traffic, and both ranges depend on where on the island you stay. For most visitors, SRQ is the easier choice because it is closer and the transfer is shorter. TPA makes sense when your flight is cheaper or has better connections.
Tours and activities on Anna Maria Island
Dolphin cruises, sunset boats, kayak trips and fishing charters, with live prices and availability.
Taxi and transfer from SRQ and TPA
How to get from the terminal to the island without a rental car.
Transfer from SRQ
On-demand limousines and SUVs wait at the western end of baggage claim and quote a fixed price for your destination in advance. Other taxi and limousine services are available when you book ahead. Ask for the price to your address before you get in.
Ride apps at SRQ
Ride apps work at SRQ. Pickup is at the western end of the ticket wing in the ground transportation area, as the app shows you. Public buses of both counties serve Sarasota and Bradenton, but no airport bus line goes to the island.
Taxi, shuttle and ride apps at TPA
Tampa airport offers taxis, shuttle and limousine services and ride apps. The price to Anna Maria Island, surcharges and the exact drive time vary, so ask before you travel.
The return trip
An app ride from the island back to the airport is not guaranteed at every hour. Book your departure transfer ahead, especially for an early flight.
Car rental and parking
When a car helps and where you can park it.
Do you need a rental car?
If you stay near the trolley, you can do the island on foot and by trolley. A car helps for day trips to the mainland, for example Robinson Preserve, and for flexibility on the airport run. See the trolley guide to decide.
At Tampa
The rental car center at TPA is connected to the main terminal by SkyConnect. Rental prices vary by date, so compare the total, not the daily rate.
Parking on the island
The lots in Bradenton Beach, including Coquina Beach and Cortez, are free. They close at 9:00 p.m. and do not allow overnight parking. That does not apply to private lots or every street in the three towns.
Tolls
The bridges onto the island are toll free.
Three roads onto Anna Maria Island
Which bridge you take depends on where you stay.
Manatee Avenue (SR 64)
This road crosses the Anna Maria Draw Bridge and arrives in Holmes Beach. Use it for Holmes Beach in the middle of the island.
Cortez Road (SR 684)
This road leads to Bradenton Beach in the south. A new bridge is under construction between Gulf Drive and 123rd Street W. The work is in two phases with traffic kept open. The first shift is planned by year end, the second for mid-2028, and the total build time is about 1,200 days. Allow extra time and expect lane changes.
SR 789 and Longboat Pass
From the south, SR 789 crosses Longboat Pass toward Longboat Key. A replacement bridge is only at study stage, and no new bridge has opened.
Siesta Key uses the same Sarasota airport. For that coast, see getting to Siesta Key.
Anna Maria Island airport: frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Anna Maria Island?
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). It is about 18 to 20 miles (29 to 32 km) away, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road depending on traffic. Tampa International Airport (TPA) is farther, at about 54 to 60 miles (87 to 97 km).
How do I get from Tampa airport to Anna Maria Island?
By rental car, taxi, shuttle or ride app. The drive is roughly 65 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, and the rental car center is connected to the main terminal by SkyConnect. Ask for the price to your address before you book a transfer.
Is there a taxi or transfer from SRQ?
Yes. On-demand limousines and SUVs quote a fixed price in advance, and other taxi and limousine services are available when you book ahead. Ride apps also work at SRQ.
Do I need a rental car on Anna Maria Island?
Not every day. The free trolley runs along Gulf Drive. A car helps for airport trips, for mainland day trips and for flexibility.
Are the bridges to the island toll free?
Yes, the bridges onto the island are toll free.
Where do ride apps pick up at SRQ?
Pickup is at the western end of the ticket wing in the ground transportation area, as the app shows you. No airport bus line goes to the island.