Getting There & Away: St Augustine

Air Travel

Major Airports Serving St. Augustine

Travelers usually fly into one of these regional airports and then arrange ground transport to St. Augustine.

Closest Hubs

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): ~50 miles north.
Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): ~55 miles south.
Orlando International Airport (MCO): ~110 miles southwest.

Airlines & Typical Routes

Major U.S. carriers operate at JAX and MCO, with MCO being the main international gateway. Dollar Flight Club and Skyscanner are good resources.

Connecting Flights

JAX has direct flights to many U.S. Cities.
DAB mainly connects through major U.S. Hubs.
MCO offers direct global flights from major international hubs.

Peak Season Flights

Highest prices and limited availability during winter (Dec-Apr) and holidays. Book several months ahead.

Shoulder Season Flights

Slightly lower prices and good availability (May, Sep-Nov). Booking 1-3 months ahead generally works well.

Low Season Flights

Summer (June-Aug) can still have steady prices due to family travel. Book a month or two in advance.

Airport Transfers

Ground Transportation Options

Rental Cars: Most common and flexible. DiscoverCars.com is a good option.
Shuttle Services: Private companies offer direct transfers (e.g., St. Augustine Airport Shuttle).
Taxis: Available at designated airport taxi stands.
Ride-sharing (Uber/Lyft): Widely available from JAX and MCO.

Airport Facilities and Services

All major airports (JAX, DAB, MCO) provide diverse dining.
Retail shops for last-minute purchases.
Free Wi-Fi access.
ATMs and car rental agencies.

Pre-Book Transfers

Smooth Start

Augustine trip.

Confirm Details

Confirm pick-up locations and times with your transfer service.

Land Transportation

Train & Bus Connections

Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, does not have a direct station in St. Augustine. The closest Amtrak station is in Palatka (PTK), ~30 miles west. Greyhound operates a bus station in St. Augustine at 100 Malaga St.

Amtrak & Greyhound

Amtrak Palatka (PTK): Requires ground transport to St. Augustine.
Greyhound Bus: Direct station in St. Augustine, budget-friendly.
Check Greyhound's website for routes and schedules.

Self-Driving & Roads

St. Augustine enjoys easy access via Interstate 95 (I-95), a major north-south highway. A valid driver's license from your home country is generally accepted. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended if your domestic license is not in English.

Driving in Florida

I-95 connects St. Augustine directly to major cities.
Roads are generally well-maintained.
Parking in the historic district can be challenging and expensive.

Road Conditions

Florida's highways are generally safe. Within St. Augustine, exercise caution for pedestrians, especially in the historic district. Summer thunderstorms can cause sudden, heavy rainfall, reducing visibility and creating slick road conditions.

Driving Awareness

Watch for pedestrians in the historic district.
Drive carefully during summer thunderstorms.
Heavy traffic on I-95 during peak times and around the historic district.

Safety Guidelines

Always adhere to posted speed limits and traffic signals. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Ensure all passengers use seatbelts. If your license is not in English, an IDP is a wise addition to your documents.

Driving Rules

Drive on the right side of the road.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.
Be aware of traffic laws and signs.

Border Crossing Information

Domestic Travel: Border crossing information is not applicable for domestic travel within the United States.
International Arrivals: All international arrivals to the United States occur at designated airports or land border crossings.
St. Augustine does not serve as a port of entry for international passenger ships.

International visitors clear customs at their first point of entry into the U.S.
Follow standard U.S. Immigration procedures at your arrival airport.
Ensure you have all necessary visa or ESTA documentation.

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry & Cruise Access

St. Augustine is not a major port for large passenger vessels. It does not have a major cruise ship port capable of accommodating large ocean liners. No regular passenger ferry services connect St. Augustine for long-distance travel.

Port Connections

Closest major cruise port: Port Canaveral (~100 miles south).
No long-distance passenger ferry services operate.
Local ferry services are typically short, tourist-oriented rides.

River Transportation

The Intracoastal Waterway runs directly through St. Augustine. Private boats can access the city's municipal marina, which sits centrally located to the historic district. This location allows easy access to downtown.

Local Waterways

Private boats use the municipal marina.
No public river transportation for general tourism.
Scenic boat tours and private charters operate on the Matanzas River.

Departure Planning

The United States does not impose specific exit fees or taxes upon departure for air travel beyond what is included in your airline ticket price.

Getting There & Away