Jazmin Li
If you're planning a trip to St. Pete Beach, Florida, you'll want to know which airport to fly into. The closest airport to St. Pete Beach is St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), which is 21 miles away and offers domestic flights. Another major airport nearby is Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is about 29 miles from St. Pete Beach and offers both international and domestic flights. When deciding which airport to choose, consider factors such as flight availability, convenience, and your preferred mode of transportation to and from the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nearest major airport | St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE / KPIE) |
| Distance from St. Pete Beach | 21 miles |
| Other major airports | Tampa International Airport (TPA / KTPA), Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ / KSRQ) |
| Distance from St. Pete Beach (other airports) | Tampa International Airport: 29 miles, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport: 33 miles |
| Number of airlines serving St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport and Tampa International Airport | 25 |
| Number of non-stop flights to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport | More than 100 |
| Number of non-stop cities served by St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport | 65 |
| Annual passenger record for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (2023) | 2.49 million |
| Tampa International Airport ranking (J.D. Power’s 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study) | No. 1 among large airports |
| Tampa International Airport ranking (USA TODAY's 2024 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards) | America’s Best Large Airport and #1 Best Airport for Dining |
| Number of passengers served by Tampa International Airport in 2023 | 24 million+ |
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What You'll Learn
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport
The airport began as a World War II military training base, known as Pinellas Army Airfield, and was returned to Pinellas County by the U.S. government after the war to operate as a civil airport. It was originally called Pinellas International Airport, with the IATA designation PIE, because PIA was already taken by Peoria International Airport. In 1958, the name was changed to St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport because tourists were not familiar with Pinellas County. During the 1950s and 1960s, several major U.S. airlines served the airport, including Delta Air Lines, Eastern Air Lines, National Airlines, and Northwest Airlines.
The airport is easily accessible, with the Gateway Express road project providing express toll lanes and a direct exit to the airport. The Grouper Airport Express provides on-demand shuttle services between the airport and Clearwater Beach, accommodating wheelchairs and nine passengers with luggage. Fares are reportedly reasonable, and there is no charge for rescheduling or rebooking due to flight delays.
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Tampa International Airport
TPA offers convenient access to the beaches of St. Pete-Clearwater and the theme parks in Orlando. It is served by most major airlines, with more than 100 non-stop flights, depending on the time of year. There are approximately 250 daily departures by 24 airlines, with flights to 20 international destinations.
The airport is also home to a mix of over 65 shops, restaurants, kiosks, and bars, including distinctive local brands such as Columbia Café, Cafe by Mise en Place, Goody Goody, RumFish Grill, and Ducky's. Foodies can try chargrilled oysters at Ulele and locally brewed beer at Cigar City Brewing. TPA also features "The Shoppes at Bayshore," a 6,300-square-foot mini shopping mall on the third level of the Main Terminal.
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Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
Before the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was constructed, both Sarasota and Bradenton had their own airfields. Bradenton Airport was established between 1935 and 1937, while Lowe Field, Sarasota's first municipal airport, opened in 1929. The Sarasota-Bradenton Airport was built to replace Lowe Field due to its 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.
The airport initially had a two-character designation, "RS", until 1948 when it received the three-character code "SSO". This code was short-lived as it resembled the international distress signal, SOS, so it was changed to "SRQ", with "Q" serving as filler text. Over time, "SRQ" became a general nickname for the Sarasota area.
The airport has seen growth in passenger traffic, with an 8% increase in March 2025 compared to the previous year, setting a new record. It serves over 60 nonstop destinations and is served by 11 airlines, including Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and Sun Country Airlines.
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Clearwater Air Park
Clearwater Airpark (KCLW) is a small airport located at 1000 N. Hercules Ave., Clearwater, Florida, with an elevation of 71 feet above sea level. The airport is open daily from 7 am to 11 pm, with no landings permitted between 11 pm and 7 am. The airport has one runway, 16/34, with an adjoining taxiway. Runway 34 has a right-traffic pattern for noise abatement, and noise abatement procedures are in effect for departing aircraft.
Clearwater Airpark has a range of facilities to support general aviation. The airport has a 2,114-square-foot general aviation terminal building, which was scheduled to be replaced in 2023 or 2024. In addition to the terminal, there is a maintenance facility and hangar located on the field. The airport also offers approximately 70 T-hangars, 30 covered "shade" hangars, and two corporate multi-airplane hangars.
The airport is served by one full-service fixed-base operator, FlyUSA Inc., which provides services such as fuel, aircraft sales, flight instruction, aerial sightseeing, and aerial photography. Clearwater Airpark caters to transient aircraft and has been in operation since 1939.
Clearwater Airpark is located near St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA), which offer additional options for travellers with a range of amenities and competitive rates. These larger airports provide non-stop service to over 100 cities and are served by 25 airlines.
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Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base
When travelling to St. Pete Beach, Florida, there are two airport options: St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Tampas MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base (MacDill AFB) is an active United States Air Force installation located 6.4 km (4 miles) south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida. The base was constructed just before World War II and was originally named MacDill Field, after Colonel Leslie MacDill. During the war, it served as a U.S. Army Air Corps installation. In September 1947, with the establishment of the U.S. Air Force as an independent service, MacDill Field became MacDill Air Force Base.
Throughout its history, MacDill AFB has served various functions within the U.S. military. During the 1950s and 1960s, it was a Strategic Air Command (SAC) installation for B-47 Stratojet bombers. In the early 1960s, the base transitioned to a Tactical Air Command (TAC) installation, operating the F-84 Thunderstreak jet fighter. MacDill AFB has also been associated with the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force, which became the United States Central Command in 1983. The United States Special Operations Command was activated at MacDill AFB in 1987, occupying previously used facilities.
MacDill AFB is currently home to the 6th Air Refueling Wing (6 ARW), commanded by Colonel Edward Szczepanik, and supported by the Wing Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Raun Howell. The base also houses the headquarters for two unified combatant commands: the United States Central Command and the United States Special Operations Command. Each of these commands operates independently and is led by a four-star general or admiral. Additionally, MacDill AFB accommodates two subunified commands: Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command, and United States Special Operations Command Central.
In recent years, MacDill AFB has been at the centre of a historical discovery. In 2019, the Air Force learned about the presence of a former African American graveyard on the base grounds. Subsequent archaeological investigations revealed evidence of potentially 121 unmarked graves from the segregation era, dating between 1840 and 1920. Efforts are ongoing to document the site and honour those buried there.
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Frequently asked questions
The nearest airport to St. Pete Beach is St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), which is 21 miles away.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is 29 miles from St. Pete Beach and Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is 33 miles away.
The best airport to fly into depends on your preference. Tampa Airport is bigger and likely has more flights that are cheaper, but St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport is closer to St. Pete Beach and parking is cheaper.
