3 Best Airports From Anna Maria Island For Your Travels!

Closest Airports To Anna Maria Island

There are three major airports that are the closest to Anna Maria Island.

Each of these is a different distance away, but is a major transportation hub of the area, so you can often find non-stop flights, both domestically and internationally to and from each of them.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

If you don’t have other plans for visiting Florida and are strictly trying to get to Anna Maria Island, then flying into the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is best.

This is the closest international airport so it’s the most convenient option and provides the easiest, most direct access to the island.

It’s just south of Anna Maria Island and is where most people fly into to visit the Sarasota area, Longboat Key, Fort Myers, and other nearby destinations.

Because it’s so close, many people choose to take a taxi or book a shuttle service to arrive. There are plenty of options for ways to get there!

Distance Between Sarasota And Anna Maria Island

Since this is the nearest airport to Anna Maria Island, it’s only about 20 miles to reach the island!

This ends up being around a 30-minute drive but may be a little bit longer depending on the traffic conditions.

Either way, this is the shortest drive, and you can get to Anna Maria Island shortly after your flight!

Best Routes From Sarasota Bradenton Airport To Anna Maria Island

There are only a few different routes to get between this airport and the island, which makes it easy to decide which to take.

Neither of the routes have tolls, so you don’t have to worry about that either.

The fastest route follows El Conquistador Parkway through Bayshore Gardens and up through western Bradenton.

You’ll then turn past Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach before arriving in Anna Maria Island. 

This is a pretty scenic drive, as you’ll get to follow along Sarasota Bay until you reach Anna Maria Island, which is known for its white-sand beaches and charming small-town feel.

Tampa International Airport

The second-closest airport for flying to Anna Maria Island is the Tampa International Airport.

This is a great option if you’re hoping to see more of the Tampa Bay area such as St. Pete Beach and Clearwater. 

Tampa is the closest major city to Anna Maria Island. Because of this, it has plenty of options for transportation to reach the island.

It’s not far away but does add a bit of time when compared to the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport.

Although it’s still closer than Orlando, it’s a good option if you can’t fly into the closest choice.

Distance Between Tampa And Anna Maria Island

To get from Tampa to Anna Maria Island, you’ll take the short one-hour drive away from each other, which ends up being around 55 miles.

This is for the fastest route, which does have tolls.

For a route without tolls, it’ll take you around 1.5 hours, or around 70 miles, to get between the airport and your destination.

Best Routes From Tampa Airport To Anna Maria Island

If you want to take the fastest route and don’t mind tolls, then your best bet is to follow Interstate 275 through Tampa and St. Petersburg.

You’ll cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge before making your way towards the island.

If you’d prefer to avoid tolls, your drive will take about 1.5 hours, following Interstate 75 until you reach the turn near Bradenton to Anna Maria Island.

Orlando International Airport

Although a bit further away from Anna Maria Island, the Orlando International Airport is another great option since it’s located right in the main hub of Florida.

It’s the busiest airport in the state and is also one of the main airports for travelers to Florida.

Many people prefer flying into Orlando because it’s a major transportation destination and has a wide range of direct flights from major airlines, both domestic and international.

This is also a great choice if you’re hoping to add a few other activities to your Florida visit since Orlando is home to most of the state’s theme parks and best activities.

Distance Between Orlando And Anna Maria Island

While further than Tampa and Sarasota, Orlando is still only just over 2 hours away from Anna Maria Island.

This equals out to be around 130 miles between the two, which can be easily covered with a transfer option.

The fastest option does have tolls, but there are a few other routes that don’t have tolls if you don’t mind taking a bit longer to arrive.

Best Routes From Orlando Airport To Anna Maria Island

The main route between Orlando and Anna Maria Island is to follow Interstate 4 until you reach the Interstate 75 intersection near Tampa.

Then you’ll follow that to Anna Maris Island. This is the fastest option, but it does have a few tolls.

If you’d prefer to avoid tolls, you’ll follow mostly the same route, but take a few extra turns just before leaving Orlando.

This route only adds on about 20 minutes, so it’s worth it if you want to avoid those tolls.

Transfers Between Orlando And Anna Maria Island

Another option is to take a pre-booked transfer between Orlando and Anna Maria Island if you want to save some money on driving and getting a rental car.

These private transfers will help you get from Orlando to Anna Maria Island, and then back to the Orlando Airport without having to worry about taxis or renting a car.

They can also often be cheaper than a taxi or a rental car for your travels.

Once you arrive, you can rent a golf cart or bike to use throughout your trip.

➡️ See More About Transfers from Orlando to Anna Maria Island

➡️ See More About Transfers from Anna Maria Island to Orlando

Airport Near Anna Maria Island – Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Transportation From Sarasota Airport To Anna Maria Island?

The best way to get from Sarasota to Anna Maria Island is to book either a taxi or a shuttle service.

There are multiple taxi services in the nearby areas, as well as Anna Maria Island Airport Transportation, which provides transportation options between nearby airports and the island.

Are There Shuttles From Tampa Airport To Anna Maria Island?

Yes, Anna Maria Island Airport Transportation provides pick-up and drop-off service from the Tampa and Sarasota airports to Anna Maria Island.

Otherwise, you can hire a taxi to take you from the Tampa Airport to Anna Maria Island.

How Far Is The Drive From Anna Maria Island To Tampa Airport?

The drive between Anna Maria Island and the Tampa International Airport is about 55 miles and takes just over an hour to complete.

This route includes tolls, and the route without tolls takes about 1.5 hours.

Do You Need A Car On Anna Maria Island?

No, you don’t need a car on Anna Maria Island since the area is easy enough to get around without.

Many people rent a golf cart or bike to use throughout their trip.

Other people also use the local trolleys to get around during their visit.

Wrap-Up: Closest Airport To Anna Maria Island

Flying into the closest airport to Anna Maria Island, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, helps make sure that your visit goes smoothly and you don’t have too much travel time.

But there are also other great airport options, such as the Tampa or Orlando Airports, which allow you to add more activities to your itinerary in other locations.

Plus, because they’re larger, they may have more options for flights.

Whether you choose to go with the most convenient option or fly a bit further away, there are plenty of options to arrive in Florida and visit this beautiful island paradise on the Gulf of Mexico.