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A Car-Free Itinerary in Sarasota
Planning your next car-free sojourn to Sarasota is a Breeze.
Print This Itinerary 🖨️Visitors from around the country and world throng to Sarasota County to soak in the sunny, warm weather and experience firsthand the culture and essence of a well-conceived city. With 68 non-stop flights to the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), getting to Sarasota is a snap. The question then becomes how to squeeze everything in with ease and without a car?
Sarasota visitors are sometimes surprised to find that their destination wish list is served by a carefully-curated transportation network of city, county and independent operator-owned trolleys, buses, charters, scooters, bikes and more.
In a word, getting around without a car in Sarasota is a breeze! Here's a sample itinerary with routes and tips to plan your next sojourn in Sarasota – without ever taking the wheel.
From SRQ Airport to Downtown & Lido Key
From touchdown to downtown, getting from the airport to the heart of Sarasota (just four miles away!) is quick and painless on the 76 Flyer trolley route.
Your care-free, car-free journey begins when you step outside of baggage claim at SRQ Airport. Follow the ride-share pathway leading to the bus loop, where you’ll catch the Breeze 76 Flyer for a fare of $2 USD cash, or download the Breeze Rider app for easy payment.
The 76 Flyer is a spacious and comfortable air-conditioned airport trolley complete with storage bins and nostalgic interiors. Sit back and enjoy being escorted along streets lined with swaying palms and glimpses of a glittering Sarasota Bay.
Trip Tips: Opt to stay at one of the many downtown boutique hotels—close to the airport and within a short walking distance to trolley stops and endless dining and shopping. The Westin, voco Sarasota, Art Ovation and Aloft Sarasota are a few. Once you’ve stowed your luggage in your chosen hotel, grab a bite to eat at nearby waterfront restaurants such as Jack Dusty at the Ritz-Carlton, Marina Jack or O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill, and enjoy a stroll along Bayfront Park.
Then catch a free ride to Lido Key – Sarasota’s closest barrier island.
The Bay Runner Trolley is the easiest and most unique way to bridge the distance between downtown Sarasota and Lido Key. With convenient trolley stops in each location and service from early morning to late evening, the Bay Runner Trolley is loved by locals and visitors alike who want to experience the very best of Lido Key without worrying about traffic or parking fees.
Board the free, open-air trolley from one of six different stops on Main Street in downtown Sarasota. Once on the key, choose your pleasure! Swim and sunbathe on gorgeous Lido Beach or meander around St. Armand’s Circle's shops and restaurants to satiate your appetite for fashion and a tasty meal.
Adventure and wildlife seekers can venture further south on The Bay Runner, all the way to Ted Sperling Park. Launch pre-reserved kayaks or paddleboards and explore a magical system of waterways known as the “mangrove tunnels.”
From Downtown Sarasota to Siesta Key
Leave the driving to Sarasota County Breeze Transit for a full day of sun, fun and entertainment on the world-famous Siesta Key.
The 77 Siesta Islander is more than mere transportation, it’s your open-air chariot leading to loads of island fun on famous Siesta Key. Siesta Beach was ranked No. 1 in the USA and No. 4 globally in Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches.
A breezy, beachy vibe begins when you board the Siesta Islander trolley from downtown. Fares are free and stops are strategically scattered along Sarasota’s Main Street, Bayfront Drive, Crossings at Siesta Key Mall and more.
Once you arrive on the key, you can freely hop on and off the trolley to experience all that makes Siesta famous. Stops along its barrier island route include Siesta Key Village, Siesta Beach, South Village and Turtle Beach Park & Campground.
For the best of both worlds, sun and bodysurf from crystal-quartz white sand beaches then dust yourself off for a short trolley ride or walk to the island’s entertainment paradise, Siesta Key Village, with more than 100 easily walkable shops, bars and restaurants to explore.
Trip Tips: On the key, discover many local transportation operators to get around beyond on foot. Rent e-bikes, beach cruisers, street-legal golf carts or scooters to explore the island's happenings. For other alternative transport on Siesta Key, download the Breeze OnDemand ride-share app.
Explore Downtown Sarasota by Scooter
Stay close to base and make your last full day a locals tour of downtown Sarasota's historic neighborhoods and fine art venues – all within a quick scoot or cruise of one another.
Sarasota plays host to some of the most celebrated art institutions – Sarasota Art Museum, Selby Gardens, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Opera House and so many more… And historic neighborhoods – Laurel Park, Gillespie Park, Rosemary District, Arlington Park and Burns Court.
What better way to see it all than by scooter or bike? VEO scooters and e-bikes are available in locations throughout Sarasota's greater downtown area. Just download the free VEO app to your phone and follow the step-by-step instructions. You’ll need your driver’s license and to complete a safety quiz before you add funds and begin your ride.
The app helps you find the nearest rental and walks you through getting started so you can start scooting! Veo charges $1 to unlock/start the scooter or e-bike, plus a per-minute fee that varies depending on location.
Trip Tips & Resources: If you think Veo is something you want to use in your hometown or other travel destinations, Veo offers VeoPlus as a monthly subscription for discounted rides.