When it comes to getting from point A to point B on the beaches, many visitors, and locals, too, think that their only choices are either walking or driving their own car. However, this is not the case… there are numerous options for getting around the South Pinellas Beaches, and even into Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa, in style, comfort, and at an affordable rate!
One of the easiest, cheapest, and most enjoyable ways to get around “island style” is aboard the PSTA Suncoast Beach Trolley. For just $2 per ride, you can explore all the neighborhoods of the South Pinellas Beaches, and do and see everything you want from Pass-A-Grille all the way up to Downtown Clearwater! Check out the shops on Corey Avenue, enjoy the sights and dining at Johns Pass Village, or just take in the beautiful scenery or sunset. The Suncoast Beach Trolley runs every 20 to 30 minutes from 5:05am to 10:10pm, Monday through Thursday and Sunday, including holidays, with service until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Trolley riders should look for special PSTA trolley bus stop signs located frequently along Gulf Boulevard and connector routes that run between the coast and Downtown St. Petersburg. Exact fare is required and the trolley operators do not make change, so be sure to have adequate cash on you before hopping aboard! If you know you’ll be using the trolley all day, you can make things even easier for yourself and just purchase an Unlimited Daily GO Card, which are available onboard the trolley for just $4.50!
Whether you’re wanting to “beach hop,” check out the shops, grab a bite to eat, or just get back to your hotel or a specific destination, the PSTA Suncoast Beach Trolley is the prefect laid back and affordable mode of transportation to get where you want to go with ease and enjoyment. Make sure to visit www.psta.net for the trolley schedule, routes, and additional information.
If traveling via trolley isn’t quite your style, then maybe go a different route and use a private taxi to get from place to place! BATS Taxi Service, located at 5201 Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach, services all of Southern Pinellas County, Tampa, Clearwater and many other destinations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and on ALL holidays! They’ll get you where you need to go quickly, easily and in comfort, by private taxi, van, or luxury town car. Whether you need a pick-up or drop-off at the airport, a ride to restaurants and shops, or getting back home from a night out on the town, BATS Taxi Service will be sure to transport you to your destination comfortably and safely. All BATS drivers are background-checked and hold valid, up-to-date taxi licenses from the City of St. Petersburg. They want to make sure you get where you need to be in a timely fashion, so when calling BATS for a ride, be sure to give them a 20-minute lead time for taxi pickup, and 24-hour notice for town car reservations. And if you’re interested in figuring out what it will cost you to get to your preferred destination, give them a call at 727-367-3702, or go to their website, www.batstaxi.com, to calculate your trip cost and browse their value flat rates! So, next time you’re in need of a cab ride to the beaches, downtown St. Pete, the airport, local attractions, or even Tampa, Clearwater, and beyond, give BATS a call and they’ll take you from point A to B in one of their comfortable taxis or professionally chauffeured luxury town cars.
A couple of alternatives to the beach trolley and taxi services for getting around the beaches are the Free Island Hopper and Free Beach Ride! These shuttle services operate from Pass-A-Grille (St. Pete Beach) Mile Marker 0, to 150th Ave in Madeira Beach Mile Marker 9 ½ , including all of Treasure Island!
At www.freeislandhopper.com this easy, comfortable, convenient and FREE service is perfect for getting around the South Pinellas beaches, restaurants, bars, shops, wedding and other events, or even just to a friend’s house or to work! Free Island Hopper owns four 7-passenger minivans, perfect for accommodating you and all your friends for a night out on the town or beach hopping during the day! They operate seven days a week, from 8am until 2am, and all you have to do is give them a call 15-20 minutes in advance at 727-217-6935, then just be outside waiting at the time the dispatcher tells you…how easy is that? And best of all…its FREE…however, the drivers work for TIPS ONLY, and receive no hourly wage, so be sure to tip your driver for getting you where you need to go quickly and comfortably!
Free Beach Ride is another great free shuttle service operating on the beaches! Established in 2009, this service gives back to the community by providing free local rides to tourists and locals alike! They offer transportation from the south end of Pass-A-Grille, covering all of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Johns Pass, Madeira Beach, and South Redington. They will even travel across the Tom Stuart Causeway to accommodate guests staying at the new Courtyard by Marriott Madeira Beach. Free Beach Ride operates seven days a week, 8am until 3am, and during holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. These folks also only work for TIPS, and do not receive an hourly wage, so please show your generosity for their services! Give them a call at 727-776-7553 next time you need a ride to an event, dinner date, day at the beach, or even a trip to the grocery store…just be sure to give them 15-20 minutes heads up! For more about Free Beach Ride, check out their website at www.freebeachride.com. Keep in mind these services may not be insured if you get hurt while riding, and drivers are not credentialed as taxi or chauffeur drivers.
Rental cars are always a good option for getting around the Tampa Bay Area as well! If you know you’ll be doing a lot of driving or long day trips out of the city, renting a private car for a set number of days is the way to go! The Enterprise Rent-a-Car Office at 297 75th Ave. in St. Pete Beach often has the lowest rates in south Pinellas! Visit and reserve at Then call them at 727-363-3801 and they’ll pick you up.
Located at the Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach, you’ll find Budget Rent A Car, and they’ll be sure to set you up with the perfect size vehicle to allow you to travel wherever your heart desires! To reserve a car or learn more about what Budget has to offer, give them a call at 727-367-1651, or visit www.locations.budget.com!
Also on St. Pete Beach, is Hertz Rent A Car, which offers a wide range of vehicles to fit your travel needs and preferences! From small sedans to vans and trucks, Hertz will get you into a great car for an affordable rate! Give yourself the freedom and flexibility to jump in the car whenever you want to spend the day at the beach or shopping, catch a Bucs or Rays game, see the sights in Downtown St. Petersburg, or drive up the coast to check out all the fabulous south Pinellas beaches! And for an even better deal on your vehicle, go to Hertz’s website, ww.hertz.com, to browse all their discounts and coupons available to you! Make the most of your trip, and give them a call at 727-360-1631, to reserve your car, van or truck!
One of the most popular rental car companies in Florida is Dollar Rent-a-Car, with a free-standing location on the east side of Gulf Blvd. across from the big hotels in St. Pete Beach at 5005 Gulf Boulevard. You can call 727-367-3779 or visit www.dollar.com
Maybe four-wheel transportation isn’t your thing…then check out Finish Line Scooter Rentals for all your scooter, bicycle, and street legal golf cart rental needs! Located at 6600 Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach, this family owned and operated business opened their doors in 2006 and they have strived to provide locals and tourists an affordable and FUN means of transportation! Travel the beaches like a native on one of Finish Line’s bikes, scooters, or golf carts! All rentals require a valid drivers license and a matching credit/debit card, and you also must be 18 years old to rent, and 16 years old to drive scooters and golf carts. All scooter and golf cart rentals are a two-hour minimum, and no deposit is required…just pay at the time you return! They also have an awesome selection of Beach Cruiser and Tandem bikes, all of which come with locks and helmets! Be sure to check out their website for rental rates and additional information about riding around the beach in style: www.finishlinescooters.com.
Bikes are a fantastic way to get around the beaches, while also getting great exercise! Located at 7517 Blind Pass Road on St. Pete Beach, Beach Cyclist Sports Center offers a wide range of good quality bikes, perfect for cruising the beaches! They offer hourly, daily and weekly rentals that are sure to fit all your needs while visiting or for those locals looking to get around in a different way for a change! Open seven days a week, from 10am to 6pm Monday – Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sunday, Beach Cyclist Sports Center will get you all set up with the perfect style bike for your size and preference! So get outside and ride a bike! Give them a call at 727-367-5001 for more information!
With so many diverse modes of transportation, there is no excuse to not get out there and explore the south Pinellas Beaches and the rest of Tampa Bay in style, comfort, and at affordable prices! From public transportation, like the Suncoast Beach Trolley, to private taxis or rental cars, to bikes, scooters and free shuttle services, the beaches offer tons of fun and easy transportation options to get you from point A to point B!
Whether you’re visiting from out of town, or you’re a local looking for an alternative mode of daily travel, check out the aforementioned services and companies, and start getting around “island style!”