Having a car is the best and easiest way to see Florida's sights or to get to and from the beach. Public transportation is available only in the cities and larger towns, and even there, it may provide infrequent or inadequate service. Getting from one city to another, cars and planes are the way to go.
By Plane
The commuter arms of Continental, Delta, and US Airways provide extensive service between Florida's major cities and towns. Fares for these short hops tend to be reasonable.
Cape Air flies between Key West and Fort Myers, which means you can avoid backtracking to Miami from Key West if you're touring the state. (You can also take a 3-hour boat ride btw. Key West and Fort Myers Beach year-round, or Marco Island during the winter months;)
Attention visitors to the U.S. from abroad: Some major airlines offer transatlantic or transpacific passengers special discount tickets under the name Visit USA, which allows mostly one-way travel from one U.S. destination to another at very low prices. Unavailable in the U.S., these discount tickets must be purchased abroad in conjunction with your international fare. This system is the easiest, fastest, cheapest way to see the country. Inquire with your air carrier.
By Car
If you're visiting from abroad and plan to rent a car in Florida, keep in mind that foreign driver's licenses are usually recognized in the U.S., but you should get an international one if your home license is not in English.
Jacksonville is about 350 miles north of Miami and 500 miles north of Key West, so don't underestimate how long it will take you to drive all the way down the state. The speed limit is either 65 mph or 70 mph on the rural interstate highways, so you can make good time between cities. Not so on U.S. 1, U.S. 17, U.S. 19, U.S. 41, or U.S. 301; although most have four lanes, these older highways tend to be heavily congested, especially in built-up areas.
Every major car-rental company is represented here, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
State and local taxes will add as much as 20% to your final bill. You'll pay an additional $2.05 per day in statewide use tax, and local sales taxes will tack on at least 6% to the total, including the statewide use tax. Some airports add another 35¢ per day and as much as 10% in "recovery" fees. You can avoid the recovery fee by picking up your car in town rather than at the airport. Budget and Enterprise both have numerous locations away from the airports. Competition is so fierce among Florida rental firms that most have now stopped charging drop-off fees if you pick up a car at one place and leave it at another. Be sure to ask in advance if there's a drop-off fee.
To rent a car, you must have a valid credit card (not a debit or check card) in your name, and most companies require you to be at least 25 years old. Some also set maximum ages and may deny cars to anyone with a bad driving record. Ask about requirements and restrictions when you book, in order to avoid problems once you arrive.
International visitors should note that insurance and taxes are almost never included in quoted rental car rates in the U.S. Be sure to ask your rental agency about additional fees for these. They can add a significant cost to your car rental.
Regular unleaded prices at press time were heading toward the $4 a gallon range for regular unleaded (ouch!). Taxes are already included in the printed price. One U.S. gallon equals 3.8 liters or .85 imperial gallons. For an up-to-the-minute listing of gas prices at stations throughout Florida, go to www.floridastategasprices.com.
By Train
International visitors can buy a USA Rail Pass, good for 15, 30, or 45 days of unlimited travel on Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL [872-7245] in the U.S. or Canada; tel. 001/215-856-7953 outside the U.S.; www.amtrak.com). The pass is available online or through many overseas travel agents. Reservations are generally required and should be made as early as possible.
By Bus
Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222 in the U.S.; tel. 001/214/849-8100 outside the U.S. with toll-free access; www.greyhound.com) is the sole nationwide bus line. International visitors can obtain information about the Greyhound North American Discovery Pass. The pass, which offers unlimited travel and stopovers in the U.S. and Canada, can be obtained outside the United States from travel agents or through www.discoverypass.com. You can travel between Florida's cities fairly easily on Greyhound.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
