Best Airports For St. Pete Beach Getaways

what airport for st pete beach

St. Pete Beach is a beautiful destination in Florida, and there are a few airports you can consider flying into to reach this destination. The nearest airport to St. Pete Beach is St. Petersburg Airport (PIE), which is just 13 miles away. However, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is also a great option, as it is only about 45 minutes away from St. Pete Beach and is ranked as one of America's best airports. Both airports offer convenient transportation options and are served by multiple airlines, providing travellers with a range of choices to suit their preferences and schedules.

Characteristics Values
Nearest airport to St. Pete Beach St. Petersburg (PIE) Airport
Distance from St. Pete Beach 13 miles
Other nearby airports Tampa (TPA) (21.7 miles), Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ) (26.2 miles), Orlando (MCO) (100.6 miles), Ft. Myers (RSW) (103.2 miles)
Number of airlines serving 25
Annual passenger record 2.49 million (2023)
Non-stop flights 65 cities
Major airport nearby Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Distance of Tampa International Airport from St. Pete Beach 21.7 miles
Time taken to reach St. Pete Beach from Tampa International Airport 3h 10m
Time taken to drive from Tampa International Airport to St. Pete Beach 30-40 minutes
Facilities Competitive rates, efficient facilities, complimentary masks, express toll lanes, direct exit to PIE, on-demand shuttles accommodating wheelchairs

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Nearest airport: St. Petersburg (PIE) Airport

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KPIE, FAA LID: PIE) is the nearest airport to St. Pete Beach. It is located 13 miles from St. Pete Beach, on the west shoreline of Tampa Bay, 6 miles north of St. Petersburg, Florida.

The airport is served primarily by low-cost domestic carrier Allegiant Air, with non-stop routes to approximately 65 cities. It is also a focus city for Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air. In 2023, the airport set an annual passenger record of 2.49 million. To accommodate this increasing demand, PIE has embarked on a $110 million Terminal Improvement Project, which will merge two TSA checkpoints into one and add two gates, seven passenger-loading bridges, restrooms, and concessions.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1941 when construction began. During World War II, it was acquired by the United States Army Air Forces and used as a military flight training base. After the war, it was returned to Pinellas County to operate as a civil airport, originally named Pinellas International Airport. In 1958, the name was changed to St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport to attract tourists who were unfamiliar with Pinellas County.

Today, St. Petersburg (PIE) Airport offers various amenities and services for travellers, including free Wi-Fi, a privacy room for nursing mothers, and pet relief areas and therapy dogs through their Pets Uplifting People program. The airport also features public art, such as the "Be Bright" mural by Ashley Cantero.

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Tampa International Airport (TPA)

TPA is currently undergoing a three-phase construction program to accommodate its growing number of passengers, which was over 24 million in 2023. The expansion includes the addition of a new international and domestic terminal, a rental car facility, and a SkyConnect train system. The airport is also adding "Red Express Curbsides" for passengers without checked bags, and has recently introduced "Blue Express Curbsides".

For transportation between TPA and St. Pete Beach, options include rental cars, shuttles, and ride-sharing services. Parking at TPA is more expensive compared to the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). However, TPA offers competitive rates and efficient facilities, making it a popular choice for travellers visiting the St. Pete Beach area.

In terms of health and safety, TPA follows CDC guidance and has implemented mask mandates in the past. It is recommended to check the airport's website for the most up-to-date information regarding health and safety protocols before travelling.

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Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ)

Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (IATA: SRQ, ICAO: KSRQ, FAA LID: SRQ) is a public-use airport located within Sarasota County, Sarasota, and Manatee County, Florida. It is about 26.2 miles away from St. Pete Beach, making it one of the closest airports to the beach, along with St. Petersburg (PIE) Airport, Tampa (TPA) Airport, and Orlando (MCO) Airport.

The airport is owned by the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority and is located 3 miles north of Downtown Sarasota and 6 miles south of Bradenton. Before the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was constructed, Sarasota and Bradenton had their own airfields: Bradenton Airport, established between 1935 and 1937, and Lowe Field, dedicated on January 12, 1929, and opened on March 12. The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was built to replace Lowe Field, which had poor conditions and low capacity. Construction began in 1939, and the airport opened in 1940 with assistance from the CCC and WPA at a cost of $1 million.

Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport offers a stress-free, full-service experience with competitive rates and efficient facilities. The spacious terminal allows for easy movement, and services like airline ticketing and baggage claim are conveniently located near the main concourse. The airport offers short and long-term parking, special needs services, car rentals, ground transportation, dining, shopping, complimentary WiFi, animal relief areas, ATMs, and more.

SRQ has seen rapid growth in passenger traffic in recent years, with Allegiant beginning to service the airport. In March 2025, the airport served 597,796 passengers, an 8% increase from the previous year and the highest monthly passenger count in its history. The airport has more than 60 nonstop destinations and 11 airlines, including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and Sun Country Airlines.

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St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport amenities

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is located 13 miles from St. Pete Beach and offers a range of amenities to enhance your travel experience.

The airport provides free Wi-fi for all passengers, as well as a range of entertainment options for both children and adults. In Gates 7-11, kids can enjoy interactive and educational activities such as aerial videos, airplane building, and a play zone designed in collaboration with the Great Explorations Children's Museum. Gates 2-6 feature videos exploring travel destinations, their environment, wildlife, and culture.

For pet owners, there are designated Pet Relief Areas with fenced artificial anti-microbial turf parks, benches, hydration stations, trash receptacles, and dog waste bags. These areas are regularly cleaned and drained to maintain hygiene.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport also boasts a variety of services to assist passengers. Volunteer Airport Ambassadors are located in Bag Claim, offering tips, Visitor Guides, and area information. Translation and foreign language assistance are available at the Visitor Info Booth and the Airport Reception Office. An ATM is conveniently located outside Ticketing A and in the west end of Baggage Claim. Passengers can also take advantage of filtered water fountains to refill their water bottles in the Passenger Hold Rooms.

Additionally, the airport features temporary and historical exhibits, including artwork by featured artists in partnership with the Morean Art Center of St. Petersburg. The airport displays the Benoist aircraft, a replica of the plane from the first commercial flight in 1914, and the General Howard Exhibit, commemorating the last commander of Pinellas Army Airfield during WWII.

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Transport from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is located 13 miles from St. Pete Beach. While the airport does not have any public transport stations, there are various options for travellers to get to and from the airport.

Grouper Airport Express

The Grouper Airport Express is a shuttle service that provides rides between the airport and any location on Clearwater Beach, including the Sheraton Sand Key and Marriott Sand Key. The shuttles can accommodate nine people and their luggage, as well as wheelchairs. Fares are affordable, starting at $8 for a single rider and $20 for a group of four.

Ridesharing Services

Ridesharing Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft are available at the airport. They offer drop-off services in front of the terminal at Departures and pick-up in front of the terminal at Arrivals.

Taxi Services

Taxi services are located outside the Baggage Claim area in the Ground Transportation lot.

Hotel Shuttle Services

Some nearby hotels offer shuttle services that pick up from the Ground Transportation lot. It is recommended to contact your hotel directly to enquire about the availability of shuttle services.

Car Rental

For those who prefer to drive themselves, there are car rental facilities available at the airport. The Gateway Expressway, a $595 million road construction project, has improved access to the airport by creating two elevated toll roads that help reduce traffic congestion in the area.

Alternatively, for those travelling from the airport to St. Pete Beach, the Suncoast Beach Trolley is an option. It can be boarded at the Park Street Terminal in Downtown Clearwater or at any trolley stop along the beachfront route. The trolley runs every 15 minutes between 6 am and 8 pm and every 30 minutes from 8 pm to midnight.

Frequently asked questions

The closest airport to St. Pete Beach is St. Petersburg Airport (PIE), which is 13 miles away.

Tampa International Airport is 21.7 miles away from St. Pete Beach. The drive is approximately 30-40 minutes.

The cheapest way to get from the airport to St. Pete Beach costs around $4.

The quickest way to get from St. Pete Beach to the nearest airport takes just under two hours.

Other nearby airports include Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ), Orlando (MCO), and Ft. Myers (RSW).

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