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How to Get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island is a popular destination in Lee County, ideal for a relaxing vacation by the beach. The distance from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island is longer compared to Southwest Florida International Airport but that’s no reason to miss out on the opportunity to visit Sanibel Island during your trip.

The easiest and fastest transportation option to get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island is by taking an airport taxi or pre-booking a personalised airport transfer. You’ll reach your accommodation directly in the comfort of a private vehicle. A more budget-friendly alternative is to make about half the journey using local buses. You’ll still need to take a taxi at the beginning and at the end of your trip as there is no public transport on Sanibel Island, but you can use two different bus lines for the middle part of the trip; the journey is much longer compared to taking a taxi for the whole trip but it’s a good option if you’re travelling on a budget.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Fort Myers at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €87.30 70min 24/7
Bus €5.50 150min 05:15–21:12

How to get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island by taxi

Taking a taxi from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island is a good choice if you’re looking to get to your accommodation quickly and comfortably. Taxis are available at the airport all day long and the ride is about 1 hour and 10 minutes in light traffic. For a smoother experience, you can book your personalised airport transfer in advance and have a driver waiting for you upon arrival.

How much is the taxi fare from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island?

The official taxi provider operating at Punta Gorda Airport uses pre-defined zones to calculate the fare. A taxi from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island costs $96 (€87.30) for up to 2 passengers. There is an extra fee of $1.50 (€1.35) for each additional passenger.

Cost

$96

Trip Duration

1 h 10 min

The fare might differ depending on the provider you'll choose; pre-booking your airport taxi will ensure a fixed rate.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available at Punta Gorda Airport 24/7 for on-demand service.

Where do I take a taxi from?

You’ll find taxis at Punta Gorda Airport 24/7. As soon as you exit the baggage claim doors, walk to the right and you’ll see the pickup area across from the Rental Car Centre.

Convenience

Choosing to get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island by taxi is the most convenient option in terms of speed and comfort. It might seem a bit costly but given the distance from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island, it’s worth taking a taxi to reach your accommodation directly. Pre-booking your airport taxi in advance will save you even more time as you’ll have a driver waiting for you upon arrival.

Editor’s Note

If you're travelling on a budget, the taxi fare from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island might seem a bit pricey; consider sharing the ride with other travellers, especially if you're travelling alone, to split the cost.

Useful Tips

The official Punta Gorda Airport taxi operator uses fixed fares depending on the destination; if you choose another provider, make sure that a taximeter is in use.
Tipping your taxi driver 10-15% of the total fare or even more for longer routes is expected in Lee County.

How to get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island by bus

There is no public transport on Sanibel Island, so you cannot use a direct bus line to get there. You can, however, combine the bus with a taxi, which will cost less than taking a taxi for the whole trip. One way is to take a taxi from Punta Gorda Airport to Merchants Crossing bus stop in North Fort Myers; from there you can take bus line 140 to Bell Tower Shops and switch to line 50 to reach the Sanibel Island bus stop. This is the closest you can get to Sanibel Island by bus and you’ll need to take a taxi again to reach your final destination on the island.

How much does it cost to get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island by bus?

A single adult bus fare costs $1.50 (€1.40) per traveller and you’ll need to purchase a different ticket each time you board the bus. You’ll also need to take into account the cost of a taxi for the parts that aren’t covered by public transport; given the average fare for a Fort Myers taxi, the whole trip, including the bus tickets, will cost around $50 (€45.50).

Cost

$3

Trip Duration

2 h 30 min

The cost refers only to the bus ticket fare and not to additional taxi transportation you will need to reach your final destination.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Bus line 140 departs from Merchants Crossing about every 30 minutes from 05:15 until 21:12 from Monday to Saturday and from 06:05 until 20:15 on Sundays.

Where do I take the bus from?

To get on bus line 140, you’ll need to reach Merchants Crossing bus stop, which is located in North Fort Myers. To switch to bus line 50, you’ll need to disembark at the Bell Tower Shops bus stop at the end of Summerlin Rd.

Convenience

Transportation from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island by bus isn’t the most convenient option despite being much cheaper than taking a taxi for the whole trip. Having to use a taxi twice and switching two different bus lines can be rather complicated if you’re not an experienced traveller and is much more time-consuming. If you value speed and comfort, taking an airport taxi is a better choice for you to reach Sanibel Island directly.

Editor’s Note

Taking the bus is a more budget-friendly option so if you're travelling on a tight budget you can consider using it. This option isn't recommended of you're travelling with many pieces of luggage or young children as you'll need to switch transportation means multiple times and it can be rather inconvenient.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket on the bus; make sure to have the exact fare in cash as the driver can't provide any change.
Online tickets are available through the LeeFare app.
Children under 106cm in height can get on the bus for free.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island?

Transportation from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island is possible either by taxi or by combining a taxi with local buses. An airport taxi will take you directly to your accommodation in about 1 hour and 10 minutes for $96 (€87.30) for up to 2 passengers. Combining a taxi and the bus takes longer but is half the cost of using a taxi for the whole trip. You’ll need to reach North Fort Myers by taxi to take bus line 140 and then switch to line 50, which will take you about 20 minutes away from Sanibel Island. The whole trip takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes and costs $50 (€45.50); this includes both the bus and the taxi fare.

How far is it to get from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island?

The distance from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island is approximately 80 kilometres; the driving time to get there is about 1 hour and 10 minutes in light traffic.

What is the cost of a Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island taxi?

Punta Gorda Airport taxis use fixed fares based on pre-determined zones. A taxi from Punta Gorda Airport to Sanibel Island costs $96 (€87.30) for up to 2 passengers. There is an extra fee of $1.50 (€1.35) for each additional passenger.

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