Southwest Florida International Airport

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) serves Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast beaches. Located 16 km southeast of Fort Myers, it's the gateway to Sanibel Island, Marco Island, and Florida's Paradise Coast.

The airport has a single terminal with four concourses (A-D). A modern, efficient facility that handles millions of visitors seeking Florida sunshine.

Key airlines: Southwest (largest), Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, and various carriers.

RSW serves a large area of Southwest Florida:

• To Fort Myers Beach: 30 km, 30-40 minutes
• To Sanibel Island: 40 km, 45-55 minutes
• To Naples: 50 km, 45-60 minutes
• To Marco Island: 75 km, 60-75 minutes
• To Cape Coral: 30 km, 30-40 minutes

Uber and Lyft operate at RSW.

• To Fort Myers Beach: $30-45
• To Sanibel Island: $45-60
• To Naples: $55-75
• To Marco Island: $75-100

Taxis available from ground transportation:

• Metered rates, often higher than rideshare

LeeTran Bus

LeeTran operates limited bus service:

• Routes to Fort Myers area
• Very limited and infrequent
• Not practical for most visitors

Recommendation: Rent a car—Southwest Florida is spread out and transit-limited.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Short Term Garage	$28/day	Terminal adjacent
Long Term Garage	$18/day	Shuttle service
Economy Lot	$12/day	Shuttle, further

Book online for discounts.

RSW has good Florida-themed dining:

Post-Security:

• Ford's Garage: Burgers and craft beer
• Quaker Steak & Lube: Wings and American
• La Piazza: Italian
• Starbucks, Dunkin'
• Various quick-service options

Network: RSW Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Good
• No registration required

SIM cards from terminal stores or carrier stores in Fort Myers.

ATMs throughout the terminal.

• Florida souvenirs (shells, beach items)
• News and convenience stores
• Basic retail

The Club RSW

• Location: Concourse D
• Access: Priority Pass, or ~$45 walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi

Delta Sky Club

• Location: Concourse B
• Access: Delta Sky Club members

Hotels near RSW are along the Daniels Parkway corridor. Most visitors proceed to beach destinations.

Southwest Florida offers stunning Gulf beaches, wildlife, and a relaxed atmosphere:

Beaches (with travel time from airport):

• Fort Myers Beach: 35 min—lively beach town, fishing pier, shelling
• Sanibel Island: 55 min—world-renowned shelling, wildlife refuge
• Captiva Island: 60 min—quieter, romantic, beautiful sunsets
• Naples Beach: 55 min—upscale, white sand, pier
• Marco Island: 75 min—largest barrier island, calm waters

Top attractions:

• J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge: 55 min (Sanibel)—birds, gators, manatees
• Edison & Ford Winter Estates: 25 min—historic homes, botanical gardens
• Naples Pier: 55 min—iconic sunset spot
• Everglades National Park: 2 hours—airboat tours, wildlife
• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: 1 hour—boardwalk through old-growth cypress

Activities:

• Shelling: Sanibel is one of world's best shelling destinations
• Manatee viewing: Winter months, Crystal River (3 hours) or local springs
• Fishing: Charter boats from Fort Myers Beach, Naples
• Golf: Hundreds of courses in the region

Local tips:

• Rent a car: Essential—distances are significant
• Hurricane season: June-November, peak in September
• Snowbird season: December-April is peak season; prices highest, beaches busiest
• Summer: Hot, humid, afternoon thunderstorms, but lowest prices
• Sanibel toll: $6 causeway toll to reach the island
• Shelling tip: Low tide, early morning, after storms
• Naples is noticeably more upscale (and expensive) than Fort Myers area
• The Gulf water is warm and calm—different from Atlantic side
• Sunset: Gulf Coast sunsets are spectacular—plan dinners around them