What airport is closest to Sanibel Island and Island Inn?
If you have recently booked a stay with the Island Inn on Sanibel Island, you probably wonder what airport is closest to Sanibel Island. This is a common question, particularly for guests arriving from outside of Florida. To start, most new guests find our Where is Sanibel Island page helpful. It provides information about the island and what you can expect from your journey to the inn.
Before we answer this question of what airport is closest to Sanibel Island, it is important to note that there are multiple airports in Florida. Any of these are a great choice for flying into the state and driving to the inn. You can certainly choose to fly into Miami International Airport (MIA), Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Sarasota International Airport (SRQ) or Tampa International Airport (TPA). But these or others in the state will involve a longer driving distance to the Island Inn when compared to the closest airport to Sanibel Island.
What airport is closest to Sanibel Island?
The quick and easy answer to the question of what airport is closest to Sanibel Island is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). This airport serves Fort Myers and the surrounding region of Southwest Florida.
Areas served by RSW airport include:
- Cape Coral
- Fort Myers
- Naples
- Marco Island
- Punta Gorda
- Sanibel Island
In fact, Southwest Florida International Airport is the second biggest single-runway airport in the United States. It is only slightly smaller than San Diego International. Additionally, RSW is the third largest in the U.S. for geographic footprint with 21.2 square miles of land. Only Denver International and Dallas-Ft. Worth International airports are larger, in terms of land ownership. When thinking about what airport is closest to Sanibel Island, few people expect such an impressive scale!
Can I charter a plane to Sanibel Island?
Now that you know what airport is closest to Sanibel Island, you may wonder, “What planes fly to Sanibel Island?” Although no planes fly directly onto the island because there is no land-based runway, flying into Fort Myers leaves only a 27 mile drive from the international airport.
Airlines serving Southwest Florida International Airport include:
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- JetBlue Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- United Airlines
After your plane’s arrival, you can rent a car for the drive to the Island Inn. Or, you can hail a taxi just outside the airport doors. Other suggestions include using a ride share option like Lyft or Uber or taking an airport shuttle van to Sanibel. All of these are very convenient options from RSW, the closest airport to Sanibel Island.
Car Rental from the Closest Airport to Sanibel Island
RSW airport’s rental car building is located at the parking garage and just beyond baggage claim. There you can find the following rental car companies:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
- Payless
- Sixt
- Thrifty
On-Demand Taxi Service
MBA Airport Transportation, LLC is the current provider of on-demand curbside taxi service at the closest airport to Sanibel Island, Southwest Florida International Airport. You can find MBA taxis lined up at the curb and waiting for passengers just outside the baggage claim doors. These cabs provide walk-up service. You do not need a reservation.
MBA taxis operate according to a rate zone map specified by Lee County Port Authority, not according to meters. This means you will pay a pre-set price of $64 for your Zone 8 ride for up to three passengers from Fort Myers airport to Sanibel Island. The fourth and subsequent passengers pay an additional $10 beyond the zone rate. This pricing also includes the $6 toll for the Sanibel Causeway.
If you choose to take an MBA taxi from the airport, remember that you need to make arrangements with the taxi company or an airport shuttle service for your return trip. Taxis are not readily available on the island. Uber and Lyft are also not dependable services to rely on for your return trip from Sanibel to Fort Myers.
Airport Shuttle Service
For an airport shuttle service, it is best to make a reservation in advance. This is particularly true for your return trip to the airport from the island. These are private transportation companies that operate throughout the Fort Myers area and not just at the airport. The average cost for airport shuttle service between RSW and Sanibel Island is about $70 per person, each way. Some of these car and van services you can use for travel between the airport and Island Inn include:
- Al’s Luxury Limousine Service
- Ambassador Transportation
- Florida Van Services
- Car Concierge Services of Ft Myers
- Ft Myers Beach Limo
- Ace Transportation Service
- Naples Royal Transportation
- Tesla Transportation
- Airport Shuttle
How do I get to Island Inn?
Regardless of the type of transportation you choose to take from Fort Myers airport (RSW) to Sanibel Island, the journey is quick and convenient. In fact, it is only a 27-mile drive from the airport to Island Inn. On your first trip here, we suggest you check out our Directions page. There you can find more in-depth instructions for getting to the inn from Southwest Florida International Airport and other parts of Florida.
If you have more questions about what airport is closest to Sanibel Island or would like to make a reservation, call the Island Inn today at 1-800-851-5088.
