You can drive to Captiva Island from Florida mainland or fly there.
Here I will show you both option.
Can you drive your car to Captiva Island?
Yes you can drive your car to Captiva Island thanks to the bridge.
First you need to drive over Sanibel Causeway, then drive through Sanibel Island, and finally over the Blind Pass Bridge.
Here are the estimated driving times from around Florida Mainland:
- Miami: 3.5 hours
- Tampa: 3 hours
- Orlando: 4.5 hours
Can You Drive to North Captiva Island?
No, you cannot drive to North Captiva Island, because there is no bridge and it is separated from the rest of Captiva Island.
For this you will need to get a 20 minutes ride ferry from the dock.
Is there a bridge to North Captiva Island?
No, there is no bridge to North Captiva Island, there is a bridge only to South Captiva Island.
Flying to Captiva Island
There are many airports close to Sanibel Island for you to fly to.
Sometimes, you may find traveling by air stressful, and you will like to minimize the stress.
You do this by choosing the airport that is best for your purpose.
You have to consider the location of the airport, its cost of ticket compared to other airports, availability of flights, and such things as these.
Sanibel and Captiva Island have three commercial airports located near them.
The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the closest of the three.
It will take 90 minutes to get to Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), and Naples Airport (APF) from Sanibel Island.
All travel situations are different, so you need to know which of the airports best suits your situation.
As you read on, you will see all the important information you need to know about the airports to know which of them to use.
Southwest Florida International Airport
The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel and Captiva Island.
It is located in Myers, Florida.
It should be the first airport you consider if you want to get to the islands quickly.
11 airlines fly from this airport to major American cities such as New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas.
Some of these airlines are American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, Southwest, JetBlue, and many more.
You will call this airport a small airport when compared it to bigger airports like the Orlando International Airport.
However, the airport is rich with necessary amenities.
Features that you’ll find at RSW include:
- There is an on-site service from many car rental companies.
- From every part of the airport, you will have free WiFi access.
- You can choose from 30 kinds of food and drinks, such as Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and many more.
- You can change your money at the currency exchange center.
Although the number of aircraft flying into Southwest Florida International Airport is higher than the number of aircraft flying into other major airports, the airport is more convenient than them all.
Do you want to know what RSW means?
The airport code means Regional Southwest because it serves the Southwest of Florida.
The record states that passengers travel in their hundreds of thousands through RSW each month.
During some busy months, the record was as high as one million passengers.
How Far is Sanibel Island from Fort Myers Airport?
The distance between Sanibel Island and Ft Myers airport is about 30 miles.
Driving from the airport to the Island will take you about 40 minutes.
Driving from RSW to Sanibel Island will give you a wonderful Gulf Coast adventure.
You will go down Summerlin road and across the Sanibel Causeway.
The San Carlos Bay is along the Sanibel Causeway and is linked to the island with the mainland at Punta Rassa.
You will be changed a tool of $6 to cross the causeway when you are going to the island.
Punta Gorda Airport
The second airport we considered when traveling to Sanibel Island was the Punta Gorda Airport in Charlotte County.
The distance from the airport to Sanibel Island is about 50 miles, less than an hour’s drive.
Allegiant Airlines is the only commercial airline that flies into or out of PGD.
The air ticket of the airline is cheap, but your choices can be limited if you fly on other airlines.
Port Charlotte is next door.
It is a tourist destination you will not regret visiting if you have the time.
Naples Municipal Airport
You may not use Naples Airport (APF), but it is good you put it on your list because it is very close to Sanibel and Captiva Island.
It is located about 50 miles from the south.
The airport does not have commercial airlines that operate it regularly.
Private jets and personal planes are free to fly into and out of the airport, which is why some people take it as an option.
The airport is highly rated and has very good facilities and customer service.
So you can fly your private aircraft into the Naples Airport.
What Airport Do You Fly into for Captiva Island?
The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers is the closest major airport to Captiva Island.
The distance from the airport to Captiva Island is about 36 miles.
The airport has modern facilities, and you can rent a car there.
Other airport options are available, but they are a bit far away.
However, they are within driving distance.
They are;
- From the Tampa International Airport to the south is about 140-mile.
- From Sarasota International Airport is about 90-mile.
- Going from Orlando International Airport to the amusement ride capital is about a 4-hour drive by car.
- A ride from Miami International Airport to Alligator Alley is about 3.5 hours by car.
- From Punta Gorda Airport is about 54-mile.
FAQs
Where do you fly for Captiva Island?
The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the closest airport to Sanibel and Captiva Island.
Is there a shuttle from Fort Myers airport to Captiva Island?
You can not get a direct bus from Ft.
Myers Airport (RSW) to Captiva Island.
However, you will have car rental services departing Rsw, and arriving Cc Pwky, at Vincennes Blvd through Btwr Shops at Bell Twr Shops Avenue.
The total time the journey will take, including transfers, is 1 hour and 39 minutes.
How much is a water taxi to North Captiva Island?
There is a ferry that leaves Pine Island for North Captiva Island.
A trip per person costs $35.
Children that are up to 12 years are charged $30.
How long is the boat ride from Captiva to Cabbage Key?
Going to Cabbage Key from Captiva Island by water taxi will take about one hour.
The distance is about eight miles on the water.
You can tour the beautiful secluded island of Jensen’s Marina by water taxi.
How long is the ferry ride to Captiva Island?
You can take a 20 minutes ferry service direct to North Captiva Island Club Dock.
You will have a beautiful view of dolphins and other local wildlife on the way.
