How to Get to Lido Key

With a variety of stunning beaches and things to do in Lido Key, the area offers everything you could want in a Florida beach vacation – minus the crowds. Situated north of Siesta Key and west of downtown Sarasota, Lido Key is perfectly located to provide peace and relaxation while being a hop, skip, and a jump away from luxury shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Lido Key’s upscale reputation is partially due to John Ringling of Ringling Bros. Circus, who helped transform the island into the luxury destination it is today. Celebrities like Stephen King, Joe Perry and Jane Lynch all have homes in Lido Key. 

Lido Key may be a barrier island, but getting there isn’t as complicated as it sounds.

What is the Closest Airport?

If you’re flying to our Lido Key rentals, the closest airport is Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. It’s about a 15-minute drive from the airport to the island and our Lido Key Beach rentals. 

How To Get To Lido Key

From Sarasota

Distance: 4 miles

Time: 12-15 minutes

Lido Key is just four miles from Sarasota. The quickest and most efficient route is directly through John Ringling Causeway.

From Main Street in Sarasota:

• Head west toward N Washington Blvd.
• Turn left onto S Washington Blvd.
• Continue on Ringling Blvd. to Bayfront Dr.
• Take the John Ringling Causeway to S Washington Dr.
• Turn left onto S. Washington Dr. 
• Turn left onto Presidents to Benjamin Franklin Dr.
• Turn right onto Tyler Dr.
• Take a slight left onto Coolidge Dr.
• Turn right onto Benjamin Franklin Dr.

Benjamin Franklin Dr. runs along the coast of Lido Key and will give you access to all of the island’s attractions and amenities.

Expect an average amount of traffic.

From Tampa

Distance: 63 miles

Time: 1 hr 15-20 minutes

There are two ways to get to Lido Key from Tampa, and both routes have tolls.

Via I-75 S (Tolls)

• Take FL-618 Toll E/Selmon Expressway to exit 15A.
• Merge onto I-75 S heading toward Naples.
• Take exit 210 to FL-780 W/Fruitville Rd.
• Turn right onto FL-780 W/Fruitville Rd.
• Turn left onto Tamiami Trail.
• Turn right onto Gulf Stream and continue onto John Ringling Causeway.
• Take John Ring Blvd. to S Washington Dr. and turn left.
• Turn left onto S Boulevard of the Presidents.
• Turn right onto Tyler Dr.
• Take a slight left onto Coolidge Dr. 
• Turn right onto Benjamin Franklin. Dr.

Via I-275 S

• Take I-275 S to exit 5 for US-19 S towards Palmetto/Bradenton.
• Continue on US-19 S and take a slight left onto US-41 S/S Tamiami Trail.
• Stay left to continue on US-301 S/1st St W.
• Take a right onto University Pkway.
• Turn left onto Tamiami Trail.

• Turn right onto Gulf Stream and continue onto John Ringling Causeway.
• Take John Ring Blvd. to S Washington Dr. and turn left.
• Turn left onto S Boulevard of the Presidents.
• Turn right onto Tyler Dr.
• Take a slight left onto Coolidge Dr. 
• Turn right onto Benjamin Franklin. Dr.

Expect a relatively clear ride through to Lido Key.

From St. Petersburg

Distance: About 50 miles

Time: About 1 hr

Lido Key is about an hour from St. Petersburg. The fastest route, which has an average amount of traffic, uses I-275 S and has tolls.

• Get onto I-175 W.
• Merge onto I-275 S toward Bradenton.
• Keep left to stay on I-275 S (toll road).
• Take exit 5 for US-19 S towards Palmetto/Bradenton.

• Continue on US-19 S and take a slight left onto US-41 S/S Tamiami Trail.
• Stay left to continue on US-301 S/1st St W.
• Take a right onto University Pkway.
• Turn left onto Tamiami Trail.

• Turn right onto Gulf Stream and continue onto John Ringling Causeway.
• Take John Ring Blvd. to S Washington Dr. and turn left.
• Turn left onto S Boulevard of the Presidents.
• Turn right onto Tyler Dr.
• Take a slight left onto Coolidge Dr. 
• Turn right onto Benjamin Franklin. Dr.

From Fort Myers

Distance: 80 miles

Time: 1 hr 35 minutes

Fort Myers is about 80 miles south of Lido Key. The fastest route is via I-75 N, which has an average amount of traffic.

• Get onto I-75 N toward Tampa.
• Continue on I-75 N for about 52 miles.
• Take exit 210 for FL-780 W.

• Turn right onto FL-780 W/Fruitville Rd.
• Turn left onto Tamiami Trail.
• Turn right onto Gulf Stream and continue onto John Ringling Causeway.
• Take John Ring Blvd. to S Washington Dr. and turn left.
• Turn left onto S Boulevard of the Presidents.
• Turn right onto Tyler Dr.
• Take a slight left onto Coolidge Dr. 
• Turn right onto Benjamin Franklin. Dr.

From Orlando

Distance: 145 miles

Time: 2 hr 40 minutes

If you’re heading to the island from Orlando, the fastest route is via I-4 W and I-75 S. Expect to pay tolls and hit spots of heavy traffic along the way.

• Take FL-408 W to Florida’s Turnpike N exit toward Ocala.
• Take Florida’s Turnpike N to exit 267A toward Tampa.
• Merge onto FL-429 S.
• Stay left at the fork to continue on FL-429 S.
• Stay left at the fork again to stay on FL-429 S.
• Merge onto I-4 W.
• Take exit 9 to merge onto I-75 S, and keep left.
• Take exit 210 to FL-780 W/Fruitville. Rd.

• Turn right onto FL-780 W/Fruitville Rd.
• Turn left onto Tamiami Trail.
• Turn right onto Gulf Stream and continue onto John Ringling Causeway.
• Take John Ring Blvd. to S Washington Dr. and turn left.
• Turn left onto S Boulevard of the Presidents.
• Turn right onto Tyler Dr.
• Take a slight left onto Coolidge Dr. 
• Turn right onto Benjamin Franklin. Dr.

Can Your Ride Your Bike Across the Bridge?

The John Ringling Bridge, or Causeway, connects Lido Key to mainland Florida. Built in 2003, the 65-foot tall bridge offers sprawling views of Sarasota Bay.

If you want to beat the traffic and explore the area by bike, you can. Ringling Bridge has a wide lane designated for bikers. Be sure not to rush across the bridge, instead, pause for a minute to take in the views of the city and bay.

The bridge will take you to St. Armands Circle, where you can take your bike to Lido Key rentals near the beach or around town. 

About Lido Key Beach

Commonly Asked Questions

Is Lido Key Beach Public?

Yes. The public beaches on Lido Key also offer many amenities, including:

• Restrooms
• Concession stands
• Picnic tables
• Gift shops
• Playground equipment
• Parking
• Chair and umbrella rentals

Do You Have to Pay to Get Into Lido Beach?

Whether or not you have to pay to get into Lido Beach will depend on where you’re coming from. Toll roads are the quickest and most efficient way to access Lido Beach from many areas of Florida. 

In this case, yes, you are technically paying to get into Lido Beach.

However, there is no fee to enter the island itself. Once you exit any toll roads, you are free to come and go from the island for free.

How Many Beaches Does Lido Key Have?

Lido Key is home to three main beaches: 

North Lido Beach

North Lido Beach is easy to get to and offers a more private location. The parking lot is small, but this beach does have some nice amenities, including:

• Fishing
• Dune walkovers
• Natural trails
• Swimming

Lido Beach

The main public beach, Lido Beach has plenty of parking (enough for 400 cars) as well as:

• Restrooms
• Picnic areas
• Food and drinks
• Chair and umbrella rentals
• Playground
• Heated swimming pool

The Seabreeze Concession, also known as Lido Beach Restaurant, offers a refreshing menu, and all food is cooked to order.

South Lido Park

Located at the southern tip of the key, South Lido Park is bordered by Sarasota Bay, The Gulf of Mexico, Big Pass and Brush Bayou. A small nature trail with scenic overlooks can be found at the north side of the park.

South Lido Park’s amenities include:

• Restrooms
• Picnic tables
• Showers
• Playground
• Cooking grills
• Canoe trail
• Nature trail