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All things Siesta Key. Stories, news, and event information about Sarasota, Florida's beautiful beach.
How to Get To Siesta Key
Narnia was found through a wardrobe, Oz via tornado… Siesta Key, while almost as mythical and magical as these places, is much easier to get to. While this beachy paradise may seem worlds away from where you are today, it’s really not too hard to find if you know what you’re looking for. The Best Western Plus Siesta Key Gateway is eager to help you find the surrounding beaches and all the activities that happen there, because, we think you’ll enjoy and love them just as much as we do.
Getting to the Sarasota/Siesta Key Area
If you’re flying to the area, Sarasota (SRQ) or Tampa (TPA) airports are your closest entrances to Siesta Key, Florida. Don’t want to rent a car? Check online for shuttles that can be booked in advance, or plan on spending around $90-$100 on an Uber. If you’ll be driving from Tampa International Airport, the quickest, most commonly used route to get your toes in the sand in about an hour is by using I-275 to I-75. When leaving the airport, follow signs for I-275 south and be sure to have $1.50 in cash for tolls on the scenic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. After crossing the bridge, you’ll connect with I-75 south, one of Florida’s most-traveled north-south interstates. Choose Exit 205 to take FL-72 west directly to the resort. The entire trip is 69 miles.
The Sarasota airport, the closest airport to Siesta Key, is adjacent to U.S. 41. So leaving this airport, follow signs for U.S. 41 South, also known as the Tamiami Trail. In about 20 minutes, you’ll have completed the 10-mile drive to the Best Western and be on the beach in no time.
Getting Through Sarasota to Siesta Key
The Best Western Plus Siesta Key Gateway sits directly on Tamiami Trail, making us extremely accessible when traveling through Sarasota since Tamiami Trail is the major north-south connector in Sarasota. To get directly to Siesta Key Beach from Tamiami Trail and The Best Western, take Stickney Point Road west to Midnight Pass Road and continue north to find Beach Road and Siesta Key Beach, a quick 10-minute drive. Biking is another great way to visit the beach from our hotel since it’s only 3.4 miles away.
If you’re driving to Siesta Key yourself, there are beach access points with metered parking along Beach Road, as well as a parking lot for the Siesta Key beach area (complete with restrooms, walk-up cafes, and a playground). An even easier option is our free shuttle service, which will drop you off directly at Sista Key Beach or in the Village itself. It’s also super-easy to visit the surrounding beaches in the area, including Turtle Beach to the south, and Sarasota Beach, Lido Key or Longboat Key just to the north. Tamiami Trail will take you to all of these fabulous beaches.
However you get here, trust us, you’re not going to want to leave. Siesta Key is truly one of Florida’s hidden gems, and The Best Western Plus Siesta Key Gateway is your doorway to paradise. Easy to find but miles away from reality, Best Western at Siesta Key is here to make sure your tropical getaway is everything you could ever imagine!