Sarasota/Bradenton Airport
Located 25 miles north of Venice, the Sarasota/Bradenton Airport (SRQ) is a regional airport with a mix of seasonal and year-round service. AirTran, Delta, JetBlue and USAirways have flights all year, while Air Canada and Northwest fly into the airport in the winter and spring. Rental cars are available from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty. Most of the airport's traffic is private planes, which are welcomed in a separate terminal area. The airport has two intersecting runways, the longest of which is 9,005 feet.
Sarasota/Bradenton Airport
6000 Airport Circle
Sarasota, Florida 34243
(941) 359-2777
Fort Myers Southwest Florida Regional Airport
Located 54 miles south of Venice, the Fort Myers Southwest Florida Regional Airport (RSW) is a key airport for discount carrier AirTran but is also served by most major commercial, discount and charter airlines. Most major rental car agencies are represented at the airport, and cars can be picked up in the garage area. The airport is one of the 50 busiest in the U.S., and is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry. Passengers are served by a main terminal with three concourses. Private planes are serviced in a separate terminal area. The airport has a single runway that is 12,500 feet and a second 9,100-foot parallel runway is in the planning stages that is scheduled to be completed in 2015.
Fort Myers Southwest Florida Regional Airport
11000 Terminal Access Road Suite 8671
Fort Myers, Florida 33913
(239) 590-4800
Clearwater/St Petersburg International Airport
Located 61 miles north of Venice, the Clearwater/St. Petersburg International Airport (PIE) is a hub for discount airline Allegiant Air but also serves charter companies and private planes. Allegiant serves Midwest and northern cities, and has a heavier flight schedule in the winter and spring. Rental car agencies Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National have counters on site. There are 12 gates in a single terminal area and a customs area is available. Private planes make up more than 75 percent of the traffic at this airport and are serviced in a separate terminal area. The airport has three intersecting runways, the longest of which is 9,700 feet.
Clearwater/St. Petersburg International Airport
14700 Terminal Blvd. Suite 221
Clearwater, Florida 33762
(727) 453-7800
Tampa International Airport
One of five major airports in Florida, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is located 64 miles north of Venice, and is served by most major commercial and discount airlines and car-rental agencies. The airport's "Landside" terminal design, which connects satellite gate areas with a central ticket and baggage processing site, was cutting edge when it was built in 1971. Gate areas are connected to the central terminal by elevated, automated people movers. Discount carriers AirTran and Southwest as well as Continental's "Connection" product are key players at this airport. Private planes are serviced in a separate terminal area, and the airport has three runways, the longest of which is 11,002 feet.
Tampa International Airport
4100 George J. Bean Parkway
Tampa, Florida 33607
(813) 870-8700
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
