Florida Guide Florida regions, islands, and historic-city planning

Arrival

Getting to Florida

Florida is a big state with many front doors. Most visitors fly into one of the major hubs - Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, or Tampa - then either drive or, on the southeast coast, take Brightline rail. Which airport you choose should follow the region you are visiting, because the peninsula is long and the drives between coasts and cities are real.

Last checked July 12, 2026

Which airport for which region

Florida has no single gateway. For the southeast coast and the Keys, Miami International (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) are the closest large airports, with Palm Beach International (PBI) serving Worth Avenue and the northern Gold Coast. For the Gulf coast, Tampa International (TPA) covers Ybor City and St. Petersburg, while Southwest Florida International (RSW) near Fort Myers is the gateway to Naples, Sanibel, and Captiva. St. Armands and Sarasota are served by Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) as well as Tampa.

For the historic northeast, Jacksonville International (JAX) is the closest hub to St. Augustine and Amelia Island. Orlando International (MCO) is the busiest airport in the state and a common entry even for coastal trips because of its flight volume. Key West has its own small airport (EYW), but many visitors instead fly into Miami or Fort Lauderdale and drive the Overseas Highway.

Driving in and the interstate spine

Interstate 95 runs the full length of the Atlantic coast, linking Jacksonville, the Space Coast, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Interstate 75 runs down the Gulf side through Tampa and Fort Myers, then turns east across the Everglades as Alligator Alley toward Fort Lauderdale. Florida's Turnpike is a tolled shortcut from Miami up through Orlando, and Interstate 4 connects Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach across the middle of the state.

The single road to Key West is U.S. 1, the Overseas Highway, which island-hops roughly 113 miles from the mainland over a series of bridges including the Seven Mile Bridge. It is scenic but slow and has few alternatives, so allow well over three hours from Miami and more on holiday weekends.

Rail: Brightline and Amtrak

Brightline runs higher-speed intercity trains along the southeast coast connecting Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, and continues to Orlando. It is a genuine car-free option between the Gold Coast cities and, for Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas district, drops you near downtown.

Amtrak's Silver Service trains link Florida to the Northeast with stops including Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach, and the Auto Train carries cars between the Washington, D.C. area and Sanford, near Orlando. Confirm current schedules and stations with the official carriers before planning around a train.

Sources

Reviewed source trail