Getting from Clearwater Beach to WDW?

[nallepuh]

Hi, we are staying one night in Clearwater Beach before we go to WDW. Does anyone know a good way to get from Clearwater Beach to WDW without having to rent a car? I looked at Mears and they charge $262.80 which seems a bit expensive, especially since the exchange rate is extremely bad at the moment. So I would be very grateful for any ideas on how to make that trip and do it in a less expensive way. Thanks!

 

[Prose]

The Megabus runs from Tampa to Orlando....it will take a hit longer than driving, though, and you are at the mercy of their schedule. Very cheap fares...

 

[nallepuh]

Thanks, I looked at the Megabus but the times doesn't work that great for us since we would like to arrive a bit earlier in the day in WDW. I found some company called "Clearwater Beach Taxi & Airport Service" that wants 160 USD for that trip which is a bit more reasonable. However, I am a bit hesitant in using a taxi company that I don't know anything about. Has anyone heard about this company before?

 

[nacho113]

If you really are looking to save some money, a one way car rental would be the best bet. Probably in the neighborhood of $30-$70 for a one way tpa to mco or wdw

 

[ParrotBill]

$160 (plus tip) is about as good as it gets for a two-hour trip... renting a car is the only way to get lower. I tried to find reviews on that Taxi service but could not.

 

[nallepuh]

$160 (plus tip) is about as good as it gets for a two-hour trip... renting a car is the only way to get lower. I tried to find reviews on that Taxi service but could not.

Yes, I also thought that price was quite good, but can't find any reviews about the company which makes me a bit worried about using them.

 

[SenecaWolf]

I could not imagine sitting in the back of any taxi when stuck in traffic on the Courtney Campbell causeway and thru Tampa to I-4. I would definitely rent a car.

 

[nallepuh]

I could not imagine sitting in the back of any taxi when stuck in traffic on the Courtney Campbell causeway and thru Tampa to I-4. I would definitely rent a car.

We will definitely use a shuttle service where we have agreed about a price so that we know that we don't have to pay more in case we end up in a lot of traffic.

Anyone have any recommendations on the best time of day to travel from Clearwater Beach to Orlando if we want to avoid getting stuck in traffic (if that is even possible)?. The date is Tuesday May 12th.

 

[Judique]

We will definitely use a shuttle service where we have agreed about a price so that we know that we don't have to pay more in case we end up in a lot of traffic.

Anyone have any recommendations on the best time of day to travel from Clearwater Beach to Orlando if we want to avoid getting stuck in traffic (if that is even possible)?. The date is Tuesday May 12th.

After rush hour would probably be best.

Is there a reason you don't want to rent a car?

Are you coming from Tampa airport to Clearwater?

I think in this situation, most people would rent. Cars from certain companies can be turned in at WDW.

 

[Judique]

I could not imagine sitting in the back of any taxi when stuck in traffic on the Courtney Campbell causeway and thru Tampa to I-4. I would definitely rent a car.

Neither could I in February. So I detoured and didn't take Courtney Campbell or get on the Interstate right away. The Interstate through Tampa was full of construction on my way to the beach, so I got off and took the 'slow' route up Dale Mabry and along Hillsborough Ave. At least it was moving and I stopped for fuel and lunch. On my way back I did 'slow' again. For me moving along is often more important than making time. I hate 'stopped in traffic'.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would leave as early as feasibly possible. I can't imagine taking a cab but if that's you choice, so be it. My ds lives in Tampa, on the west side of the city....it takes a good 90 mins to get to WDW at most times. And from the Clearwater area? Add another 30+ mins. If you can leave well before 7am, you should be okay...of course, that puts you into commuter traffic in Orlando. If you leave after 9 you'll miss commuter traffic, but you won't get to WDW until 10:30.
There are no inexpensive, efficient ways to get to WDW from the Tampa area....unless you rent a car. But, again, that's a choice everyone needs to make for themselves.

 

[nallepuh]

After rush hour would probably be best.

Is there a reason you don't want to rent a car?

Are you coming from Tampa airport to Clearwater?

I think in this situation, most people would rent. Cars from certain companies can be turned in at WDW.

We don't want to rent a car because we don't want to drive in another country, especially since we aren't used to driving since we never drive at home but also because we don't know our way around, the roads are much bigger and the traffic rules somewhat different. So it feels a lot safer to use a shuttle/cab and therefore worth the money (even if I would rather spend it in the parks of course! ). We are flying into Tampa, then spending time with relatives, then going to Clearwater and from there to WDW.

 

[nallepuh]

I would leave as early as feasibly possible. I can't imagine taking a cab but if that's you choice, so be it. My ds lives in Tampa, on the west side of the city....it takes a good 90 mins to get to WDW at most times. And from the Clearwater area? Add another 30+ mins. If you can leave well before 7am, you should be okay...of course, that puts you into commuter traffic in Orlando. If you leave after 9 you'll miss commuter traffic, but you won't get to WDW until 10:30.
There are no inexpensive, efficient ways to get to WDW from the Tampa area....unless you rent a car. But, again, that's a choice everyone needs to make for themselves.

Thanks for the info about times! I think we will plan on leaving Clearwater Beach around 9 am. We will only spend time at the resort that day so it's OK if we get to WDW around 10.30 - 11.00.

 

[Judique]

We don't want to rent a car because we don't want to drive in another country, especially since we aren't used to driving since we never drive at home but also because we don't know our way around, the roads are much bigger and the traffic rules somewhat different. So it feels a lot safer to use a shuttle/cab and therefore worth the money (even if I would rather spend it in the parks of course! ). We are flying into Tampa, then spending time with relatives, then going to Clearwater and from there to WDW.

I can certainly understand that! You've made a wise decision.