Getting to Clearwater/St.Pete's without a car

[westgrove]

Hi all,

DH and I don't drive. I'm taking my test soon but won't be buying a car until next year so I'm not confident in renting with literally no experience!!!

We want to go for a few days at the beach, our dates are set so we'd be leaving an a thur and returning on sun. I cant see any trip companies that cater for these dates. I've looked at getting amtrak/greyhound but I don't know how realistic it is to use them as the stations are quite far from WDW and we'll have all our luggage.

If you know of any options please let me know

TIA

 

[DonnaL]

It's about an hour and 45 minutes to two hours to St. Pete/Clearwater from WDW.....mostly all highway driving (I-4) thru Tampa and across Tampa Bay. The Tampa area always tends to be extremely busy and congested and if you are not confidant with busy, congested highways I would not attempt to drive. That said, I'm not aware of any type of public transport that could get you from WDW to the beach area of St.Pete/Clearwater. If you're looking strictly for a beach area, Daytona/New Smyrna/Cocoa Beach areas,which are on the Atlantic side of Florida are much closer and definitely a much less congested drive than thru the Tampa area.

 

[JimboCh]

Hi all,

DH and I don't drive. I'm taking my test soon but won't be buying a car until next year so I'm not confident in renting with literally no experience!!!

We want to go for a few days at the beach, our dates are set so we'd be leaving an a thur and returning on sun. I cant see any trip companies that cater for these dates. I've looked at getting amtrak/greyhound but I don't know how realistic it is to use them as the stations are quite far from WDW and we'll have all our luggage.

If you know of any options please let me know

TIA

http://www.clearwatertours.com/?eve...=2234&startDate=05/01/2013&endDate=05/31/2013

Maybe if you call you can arrange something through this company.
http://www.clearwatertours.com/?event=offer.detail&offerId=2233

 

[seashoreCM]

You will need a complete tour package, not just a ride from Orlando (or Disney) to Clearwater and a return ride from Clearwater to Orlando. This will include a hotel or motel to leave the luggage. Alternatively you could cobble together an itinerary a la carte with taxi rides to and from the hotel and to and from the beach.

 

[JimboCh]

You will need a complete tour package, not just a ride from Orlando (or Disney) to Clearwater and a return ride from Clearwater to Orlando. This will include a hotel or motel to leave the luggage. Alternatively you could cobble together an itinerary a la carte with taxi rides to and from the hotel and to and from the beach.

Why would they need a complete tour package? They plan on going on Thursday and returning on Sunday. I think they know they need a hotel room for 3 nights, but they can book that themselves anywhere on the beach.

Bascially what they need to find is transportation to and from.

 

[NotUrsula]

The issue is that simple transport doesn't regularly run, which means that once you pay an Orlando car service for the full r/t run to Clearwater and back, you will end up paying more that you would have for a package that included the transit with the hotel room price. The easiest beach by far to get to from Orlando is Cocoa, because of the cruise shuttles that go between the airport and Port Canaveral. The port of Tampa doesn't get much business from MCO, by contrast.

The most cost-effective way, by far, is to take AMTRAK, believe it or not.
You can cab to the Kissimmee station, then take the train to downtown Tampa, and an AMTRAK shuttle bus connection to take you to St. Pete/Clearwater. There is only one train per day, I believe, so you have to live with the schedule, but it is only about $20 pp. if you purchase it in advance online.

 

[Greysword]

If you do end up driving, I would like to give you a little insight.

The Tampa Bay area is filled with older people and tourists, many of which are not from countries that drive on the right side of the road (both literally and figuratively) . As such, it is ok to drive a bit slower, take your time, and look around as you drive. IMO, this makes it a great place to practice your new skills, since things move a bit slower.

As mentioned, the only real concern with the Tampa bay area is traffic on the interstate around downtown Tampa, specifically the I-4 to I-95 interchange. If you both work together to read the signs and just flow with it, then you'll be fine. The area is pretty linear and gridded, so it is easy to navigate (East-West, North-South with few twists). If you miss a turn, no worries. Just make the next left or right and circle back. If you find a road may end, signal and inch over. The locals are used to it.

I grew up here, and learned to drive in Clearwater/St. Pete area. It isn't bad at all, IMO. Just watch traffic, flow as best you can, and take your time. if you miss a turn, just go around. No worries.

Oh, and get the full damage and liability coverage, just in case.