Do we need a car?

Nearly put off wanting to stay in Lido Beach, by emails on forum regarding the older persons taking over Sarasota, one day age will come to you, and I am sure the younger generation then, will be even less tolerant!!

Would we need a car to get around this area, are there restaurants within walking distance, we want to stay a month in November and would like apartment with facilities, beach views and reasonable any recomendations please?

Do we need a car?

Disregard all age related comments on these forums. I have yet to know anyone, of any age, who has had a bad time here while on vacation.

If you are staying for a month, are you planning to stay on Lido Key or somewhere else?

You can go to www.vrbo.com for rentals. This is a website that rents condos/homes by owner. Everyone usually finds something that fits their needs.

As far as a car, a month is a long time not to have one. You could walk to restaurants and shops on St. Armands Circle if you stay on Lido. For groceries etc. you would either have to take a taxi or use some public transportation to get around.

If you need more info, let me know.

~SRQgirl

Do we need a car?

Many thanks for advice re accomodation, will look that up.

Have driven last year Madeira Beach area, but would love to be able to walk restaurants and shops on evening.

We hate the driving from airports, specially being from the UK.

Do the airports, including Orlando, have shuttle services or taxis to Lido Beach and what prices would they be please?

You might google transportation services from airports - Tampa is much closer - about an hour or a bit more from Lido. Or, once you arrange your accommodations, ask them about this. Orlando is a couple hours away, so doubt there%26#39;s any shuttle service, but just about anything can be had for the right price. Taxis tend to be expensive. We taxied from Tampa airport to our old house about 25 miles north of the airport and it was about $40; you%26#39;re talking about 60 miles or so... That said, a cabbie from Tampa taking you to Lido might want the return trip covered as well, since they probably wouldn%26#39;t be able to arrange a fare for the return trip... Sorry if that wasn%26#39;t very helpful, but again, I%26#39;d start by googling...

The cost of a taxi from Lido to Tampa airport could be as low as $85 and as high as $110 plus tip. Orlando Airport is over 2 hours away. Prices would probably be around $150 or more. The price of gas has caused the fares to increase.

There aren%26#39;t any shuttles to Lido.

~SRQgirl

Many thanks for transfer advice, possibly you could recommend the best car hire rental, we used enterprise last time no problems but thought it to be expensive.

Could you book car hire from hotels around Tampa like you can in Orlando? just to get us away from the busy airport area.

Some car rental companies have off-airport rental offices. Enterprise is probably one of them. I will check out others. Rates are not inexpensive, unfortunately.

~SRQgirl

Lizzy -- For car rentals, try Travelocity or Expedia and check out the rates for a variety of car rental agencies. Then book one that appeals. There is no fee for doing so, they don%26#39;t charge a credit card until you actually pick up a car, and there is no fee for cancelling. Then go online periodically between now and November and see if you can get a better rate. I%26#39;ve found that sometimes Enterprise is cheapest, sometimes Thrifty, sometimes, Dollar.

If you%26#39;re going to be staying for a month, you might have more choices in a place like Longboat Key or Siesta Key. Longboat has many condo units for rent that are right on the beach; there is a large grocery store on the island; it is also convenient to wonderful shops on St. Armands Circle, as well as to downtown. Driving on Longboat would be easy for you as well since there is only one road stretching up and down the length of the island.

A Sarasota-based limousine service will take you to or from the Orlando airport or the Tampa airport. The rate is $75 one way from Sarasota to Tampa and $170 between Sarasota and Orlando. You can view their website at www.fivestarairportservice.com

Many thanks everyone that gives me some more ideas and places to check out.

Has Longboat Key shops and restaurants within one area possible within walking distance for evenings, also Siesta Keys? These three areas are safe areas for walking at night?

There are shops and restaurants in Siesta Village, but it does not have the size and variety that exists on St. Armands Circle. It is large enough to take a stroll in the evening.

Longboat Key has a shopping area with a grocery store etc, but again, it is small and you would have to drive to most other places such as St. Armands for a choice of restaurants/shops to stroll around.

All 3 areas are safe in the evening.

~SRQgirl

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