If you’re searching for a vacation destination where you can relax and unwind without the hustle and bustle of the city, look no further than Anna Maria Island. Destinations like Orlando and Miami can be so busy and congested, making your vacation feel like anything but. However, with a stay on Anna Maria Island, you’ll be able to experience a slower pace of life by the water, truly enjoying time with your family and perhaps even (gasp!) leaving your phone behind.
But before you can start enjoying a stay at the Anna Maria Beach Resort, you need to know how to get here and how to get around! Thankfully, though, navigating Anna Maria Island is relatively easy. It’s a small place, so it’s quick to learn your way around, and there are tons of different transportation options that you can take advantage of.
Here, we’ll break down everything you need to know about getting around on Anna Maria Island.
How to Get Around Anna Maria Island
Before we can talk about how to get around AMI, we should probably talk about how to get here in the first place. You’re probably wondering, “Where is Anna Maria Island?” It’s located just off the Gulf coast near Bradenton and Sarasota on the mainland. If you fly into the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, it takes just 30 minutes to drive to AMI! Tampa International Airport is also just a short drive away, which can be a more convenient option for some.
Once you get onto AMI and you’re ready to explore, you can, of course, choose to walk from place to place. After all, the island is only seven miles long, so it’s not that tough to get from place to place on foot. But if you don’t want to take that route, our partners at Anna Maria Island Adventure Rentals (AMIAR) have some convenient transportation options for you.
Car
Maybe you’re flying into the area but don’t want to rent a car at the airport. No problem! AMIAR offers convenient and affordable car services on Anna Maria Island that are much easier to obtain than fighting the rental lines once your flight lands. You can get a car to pick you up from either Tampa International Airport or Sarasota-Bradenton, meaning that you won’t have to bother with keeping up with a rental car for your entire stay. Plus, AMIAR can take you back to the airport when it’s time to say goodbye.
Car service can range in price but is typically between $120 and $150 for your one-way trip. The price can vary based on the location you’re driving to or from, the number of people you have, the car you select, and the time you need service (whether it’s during peak hours or not).
Bike
Wouldn’t it be nice to find an affordable and eco-friendly way to explore Anna Maria Island, all while staying active simultaneously? Luckily for you, there is! AMIAR offers a huge range of bike rentals on Anna Maria Island, so every guest from the tiniest tot to the adults can get around the island in style. They offer a wide selection of ladies’ and men’s bikes and tandem bikes, kids’ bikes, bike trailers, and adult bikes with child seats. Got a little one that’s still learning? AMIAR can provide a co-pilot training attachment.
Of course, you can also get your helmets, locks, and other accessories to make sure you have a safe and comfortable bike ride. Bikes from AMIAR are incredibly affordable at around $10 to $15 per day, and if you’re staying longer, you can get a discount on a lengthier rental.
Golf Cart
Bikes can be fun, but what if you want a little bit faster way to get around the island? You still don’t want to rent a car, but how can you gather up all your stuff to take to the beach? Try a golf cart! A golf cart is a perfect way to get around Anna Maria Island in style. And, you guessed it, AMIAR offers affordable golf cart rentals on Anna Maria Island to help you get around. Choose either a lifted or standard golf cart to suit 4, 6, or 8 guests. These golf carts are completely street legal and offer plenty of room for all your guests as well as your beach items.
Guests must only rent golf carts from Anna Maria Island Adventure Rentals over the age of 25 with a valid driver’s license and auto insurance. Golf carts are available in electric or gas varieties. Prices start as low as $125 per day, and lengthier rentals can be subject to a discount.
Trolley
If you want to walk most of the time and don’t want to bother with a rental, the Anna Maria Island trolley can be a great way to get around. You can hop on and off as you please, so you can ride when you want or walk when you want. There are all kinds of stops all over the island, so you’re sure to find one just a couple of blocks away from any attraction you might want to visit. Oh, and did we mention it’s free to ride?
The Anna Maria Island trolley can take you all over the island, from the city of Anna Maria through Holmes Beach and down into Bradenton Beach, for absolutely free. If you do want to go onto the mainland, you can do that, too, for just a small fee of $0.75 per person. Just ride until the end of the line in Bradenton Beach and switch over to the mainland trolley. The trolley runs every 20 minutes and runs from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Plan Your Next Visit
We take pride in offering the best vacation rentals in Anna Maria Island and offer all kinds of properties, big and small. Whether you’re traveling solo, with your sweetheart, or with the whole extended family, we’ve got exactly the rental you’re looking for. Our team can help answer any questions you might have, whether you’re curious about the amenities inside your rental or gaining access to one of our luxurious cabanas down by the pool. We’ve got you covered! Want to learn more and start planning your ultimate Anna Maria Island vacation? Contact us today to get started!
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Where to Stay
Speaking of the Anna Maria Island trolley, did you know there’s a convenient stop just down the road from the Anna Maria Beach Resort? Yep, all you have to do is get to the finish at Marina Drive and 63rd Street, and the Anna Maria Beach Resort is just a block away! The Anna Maria Beach Resort accommodations are among some of the most convenient on the island. You can get to any attraction you might want to visit in just a matter of minutes. Plus, you’ll have a comfortable and luxurious place to rest your head after a long day of sightseeing!
