Miami To Anna Maria Island: How To Get There & Stops To Make!

If you’re planning a visit from Miami to Anna Maria Island, you may be wondering what the best way to get between them is.

Miami is known for having some of the best nightlife in Florida while Anna Maria Island is a barrier island with some of the most stunning white sand beaches.

They’re worlds apart but make for a great trip while in the Sunshine State. 

Anna Maria Island is one of my favorite places to visit on the Gulf Coast and is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a more low-key spot and to get away from the bigger crowds of Miami. 

There are quite a few methods of transportation between these two cities, including driving, flying, and taking a bus.  Plus many stops along the way to make your trip great if you drive.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the best ways to get between these destinations, what to see along the way, and how to ensure you have a smooth trip.

Flying From Miami To Anna Maria Island: Airlines & Travel Time

If you’re looking at flying from Miami to Anna Maria Island, it’s a great way to save some money, get there faster, and make your travel plans go even smoother.

To get between these locations, you’ll have a few options for airports. 

For flying out, you can either choose to fly from the Miami International Airport (MIA) or from the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

And for arriving, you’ll fly into the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) or the Tampa International Airport (TPA).

The cheapest and fastest route is from FLL to TPA.  This is typically a direct flight at just over an hour long, and you can oftentimes find tickets for under $100! Spirit, Silver Airways, and Southwest fly this route.

The only problem with these flights is that you’ll need to travel a bit further to get to the city.

Tampa is about 1 hour from Anna Maria Island, and Fort Lauderdale is about 40 minutes north of Miami.

Your other options, including flying out of MIA and into SRQ will often result in flights with layovers and are more costly.  But they will get you closer to Miami and Anna Maria Island.

Miami To Anna Maria Island: Driving Distance

If you don’t mind driving, then taking a car from Miami to Anna Maria Island is another great way to get between these destinations.

While they are pretty far apart and the drive will take about half a day, there are many places to stop along the way to make your drive more entertaining.

The drive between these two places is about 250 miles long and will take about 4 hours and 30 minutes when there isn’t traffic.

Depending on the time of day, your drive might end up longer since you will go through major cities like Miami and Fort Myers and they may have some traffic.

There are also a few different routes to choose from, which we’ll cover below.

Routes To Take Between Anna Maria Island And Miami

If you’ve decided to drive, there are a few different options to consider for your driving route.  Depending on whether you want the fastest route or the most beautiful, here are your choices.

Via I-75 (Fastest Option)

If you’re just looking for the fastest way to get from Miami to Anna Maria Island, then driving via I-75 is your best bet.

This route follows I-75 for the entire drive until you’ve reached Bradenton and are ready to take the turn onto the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

You’ll drive just north of the Everglades and then through Fort Myers before you officially reach Anna Maria Island.

Via US Highway 27 (Less Traffic Route)

While both of these routes are pretty similar, you’re likely to experience less traffic if you follow US Highway 27.

This is because it takes you a bit further north and avoids driving through Fort Myers.

Overall, the most traffic you’ll see is in Miami and Fort Lauderdale before you leave the east coast, but it increases your chances of missing it by taking this route.

Are There Any Tolls On The Driving Routes?

Unfortunately, you will come across one toll while you’re driving the route from Anna Maria Island, Florida to Miami, or vice versa. 

There isn’t any way to get around it if you want to visit the island, but it only costs about $1-2 for 2-axel vehicles, so it’s very cheap.

Is There A Shuttle From Miami To Anna Maria Island?

There are no shuttle services that will take you all the way between Miami and Anna Maria Island.

But if you’re looking for a way to get between them aside from driving or flying, you do have a few options.

First, you can take a Greyhound Bus, which offers rides from multiple places in Miami to Sarasota or Tampa Bay most days of the week.

The fee is affordable, and you can choose between multiple times. 

However, the bus will not take you all the way to Anna Maria Island, so you’ll need to either take a taxi or Uber to cross the bridge. 

The second option will require you to make it to the airport somehow, whether that be by bus, flight, or rental car.

But from the airport, you can book one of Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s transportation services, which pick people up from the Tampa or Sarasota airports and bring you directly to the island.

Stops To Make Between Miami And Anna Maria Island

To make your drive between Anna Maria Island to Miami more exciting, consider stopping at some of these best places to visit on the way.

Fort Lauderdale

As you leave Miami, you’ll drive right through Fort Lauderdale.  This coastal city is known for its beautiful beaches along the Atlantic. 

A stop here will allow you to stop in at the stunning Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, wander along the waterfront, and shop on Las Olas Boulevard.

Fort Lauderdale is also a prime location for snorkeling, scuba diving, and swimming to reefs right from the beach. 

✓ Planning to stay in Fort Lauderdale overnight?

👉 Here are some Incredible Hotels Between Fort Lauderdale & Miami that you should check out!

 

Marco Island

Another of Florida’s famous islands is Marco Island, found just about halfway between Anna Maria Island and Miami.  It’s just slightly out of the way, but well worth the detour!

Marco Island is well known for having some of the best beaches in Florida and for being one of the gateways to the Everglades.

Visiting will give you the chance to spend time on the beach, participate in water sports, take tours, and even take a trip into the Everglades.

Fort Myers

Located on the Gulf of Mexico is Fort Myers, a great place to visit any time of year with almost 300 sunny days.

Stop in and check out the River District, Manatee Park, the beautiful coastline, and all of the good restaurants with fresh seafood.

Fort Myers is also known for being home to the estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

You can visit and learn about these inventors’ homes, which have since become a National Register Historic Site.

And of course, make a stop at Fort Myers Beach during your visit.

✓ Also check out the Best Dolphin Cruises in Fort Myers! 👈

 

Bradenton

Just before you get to the city of Anna Maria Island, make a stop in Bradenton. There are many adorable beaches here to visit.

Cortez Beach, Coquina Beach, and Bradenton Beach are all popular spots.

You can also get to Longboat Key and Siesta Key from here, which are great places for relaxing on the beautiful beaches and checking out local businesses.

Miami To Anna Maria Island – FAQs

What Airport Do You Fly Into For Anna Maria Island?

The closest airport to Anna Maria Island is the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, but many people also fly into Tampa International Airport.

Can You Drive Onto Anna Maria Island?

Yes, almost the entire island can be accessed by car, since there are roads throughout the entire thing.

Wrap-Up: Miami To Anna Maria Island

So if you’re planning a visit from Miami to Anna Maria Island, there are quite a few different ways to get there.

Whether it be by car, flight, or taking a bus, you can find a method to suit your needs.

If you drive, there are so many great stops along the way to make the trip even more worth it.

But no matter how you get there, these two great Florida destinations will show you why the Sunshine State is so loved.