How to Get to Marco Island, Florida: Flights, Driving & Shuttles

The Closest Airport: Southwest Florida International (RSW)

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is the closest major airport to Marco Island — about a 50-minute drive north. RSW is a large, well-served airport with direct flights from most major US cities, and it's the airport almost all Marco Island visitors fly into.

From RSW, the drive to Marco Island is straightforward: south on I-75 to exit 101 (Collier Boulevard / State Road 951), then south about 20 miles straight onto Marco Island. It's an easy, mostly highway drive, and the route is well-marked. Allow about 50–60 minutes, more in traffic.

Distance: ~45 miles · Drive time: ~50 minutes

Other Airports

• Punta Gorda Airport (PGD): About 75 minutes north. Served by Allegiant and a few other low-cost carriers. Sometimes cheaper, but farther.
• Miami International (MIA): About 2.5 hours southeast via I-75 (Alligator Alley). A major hub with many international flights, but a long drive.
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL): About 2.5 hours east. Another option for international and low-cost flights, but a long drive.
• Naples Municipal Airport (APF): The closest airport geographically (about 25 minutes north), but it's a small airport with very limited commercial service. Mostly private and charter flights.

For almost all visitors, RSW is the right choice — closest, best-served, and an easy drive.

Do You Need a Rental Car on Marco Island?

A rental car is useful but not strictly necessary, depending on where you stay. If you stay in Olde Marco (like Bottlenose Pointe), you can walk to restaurants, the marina, and the riverfront, and the beach is a short drive or a longer walk. A car makes groceries, the beach, and exploring easier, but you can get by with rideshares and a bike if you want to save on the rental.

For most visitors, a rental car is worth it — it gives you the freedom to hit the beach early, explore the island, take day trips to Naples or the Everglades, and get groceries on the way in. RSW has all the major rental companies on-site.

Getting from RSW to Marco Island Without a Car

If you don't rent a car, your options from RSW to Marco Island are:

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Available at RSW, about $60–$100+ to Marco Island depending on demand and time. Book in advance or at the airport.
• Private shuttle: Several companies run private and shared shuttles from RSW to Marco Island. Book ahead. More expensive than rideshare for one, cheaper for a group.
• Taxi: Available but typically the most expensive option.

Once on Marco Island without a car, rideshares work for short trips, and you can walk to a lot from Olde Marco. But for a week-long stay, a rental car is the most practical choice.

Driving to Marco Island

If you're driving to Marco Island:

• From the north (Tampa, Orlando): I-75 south to exit 101 (Collier Boulevard / SR-951), then south to Marco Island.
• From the east (Miami, Fort Lauderdale): I-75 west (Alligator Alley) to exit 101, then south on SR-951.
• From Naples: South on US-41 (Tamiami Trail) to Collier Boulevard, then south to the island. About 20 minutes.

Marco Island is connected to the mainland by two bridges (the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge and the Goodland Bridge). There's a small toll-free crossing; no tolls to access the island.

Tips for a Smooth Arrival

• Stop for groceries on the way in: There's a Publix on Marco Island, but the larger stores are on the mainland (Collier Boulevard has several). Stock up before you cross onto the island.
• Arrive before dark if it's your first visit: The island is easy to navigate, but arriving in daylight makes finding your rental simpler.
• Save the host's directions: GPS will get you close, but your host's specific directions (gate codes, parking, unit location) are what get you in. Bottlenose Pointe guests receive detailed arrival instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions