Clearwater Travel Essentials

Our Clearwater Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to one of the most popular destinations in Florida, USA. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always need answers: What’s the weather like? How can I get from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to my hotel? What currency and type of plug do I need?

We have all these answers plus other basic info about the best time to go, getting there, getting around, and a few useful travel tips. You’ll also learn about the most popular landmarks in Clearwater, such as Pier 60, the Moccasin Lake Nature Park, and Pinellas County Heritage Village. It’s all compiled in this Clearwater Travel Essentials. After going through this short and easy-to-read guide, you’ll be a little more prepared to start your trip to Clearwater.

1. When is the best time to travel to Clearwater?

1. Clearwater has a subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 62°F in winter to 82°F in summer.
2. The period with the most rain is June–September, with around 14 wet days per month. Expect an average of 6 rainy days per month for the rest of the year.
3. Clearwater is warm year-round. With average temperatures over 80°F, the rainy months of June–September are also the warmest of the year. Summer record highs can reach up to 96°F, but Clearwater rarely experiences such extremely hot days.
4. The peak season is December–April, when you canexpect higher hotel rates and more crowds. If you plan to visit Clearwater around this time of the year, it’s best to book well in advance.
5. The best time to visit Clearwater is October–November, in late autumn and just before the peak season kicks in. You’ll find good hotel deals and, despite the increase in the number of visitors, you’ll have great weather conditions and smaller crowds at places of interest.

2. Clearwater basics

1. Plug type: A and B
2. Electricity: 120 V
3. Currency: United States Dollar (U.S.$)
4. International dialing code: +1 727
5. Emergency telephone number: 911

3. How to get to my hotel in Clearwater?

Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) are the 2 main gateways to Clearwater and Pinellas County.

You can also get to Tampa by Amtrak train on its Silver Star line. You’ll then have to take a bus or taxi cab to reach Clearwater.

If you’re on a budget or want to travel through the States as they did in the post-war era, you can get to St. Petersburg (8 miles southeast of Clearwater) by Greyhound or Amtrak motorcoach.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) & St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

Tampa International Airport is 17 miles east of Clearwater. The average driving time between Tampa Airport and Clearwater is 30 minutes.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout TPA. Ground transportation options for getting to Clearwater are as follows:

1. Taxi cab companies – Yellow Cab and United Cab – as well as towncar and van services, are available at the curbside, outside baggage claim.
2. The Uber and Lyft pick-up neighborhoods are at Red baggage claim, Blue baggage claim, or the remote curbside at the Rental Automobile Center.
3. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) operates public buses that serve Clearwater. The bus stop is at the Rental Automobile Center. It takes twice as long as a taxi cab, but it’s the cheapest way to get to Clearwater.
4. Major automobile rental companies are in the Rental Automobile Center, which is connected to the Main Terminal by SkyConnect train.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is 7 miles southeast of Clearwater. It’s less busy than Tampa Airport and mostly served by low-cost carriers. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal here, too. Below are the ground transportation options available at PIE:

1. Taxi cab and shuttle options are found outside baggage claim.
2. The Uber and Lyft pick-up neighborhoods are also outside of baggage claim.
3. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) operates public buses that serve Clearwater. The bus stop is in front of the terminal. It’s the cheapest way to get to Clearwater.
4. Automobile rental agencies’ desks are right outside baggage claim.

Tampa Union Station

Tampa Union Station is served by the Amtrak Silver Star Line that links New York to Miami. The station is located on North Nebraska Avenue in Downtown Tampa, 21 miles east of Clearwater.

From here, you can get to Clearwater by taxi cab, rideshare, or bus. The average driving time by automobile is 30 minutes.

Greyhound and Amtrak bus stations near Clearwater

The closest Greyhound and Amtrak bus stations to Clearwater are in St. Petersburg, 12 miles southeast of the city centre. Taxi cabs, rideshares, and PSTA buses are available for you to get to Clearwater.

4. How to get around Clearwater?

Travel tips

The city of Clearwater covers an area of about 35 square miles. Walking is a good option for short distances within Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and St. Petersburg city centres. Riding a bicycle is also a fun and popular way for exploring Pinellas County.

For longer distances, depending on your budget and taste, you can get around by taxi cab, rideshare, public bus, trolley, ferry, or rental automobile.

Taking a taxi cab in Clearwater

From United Taxi cab (+1 727-777-7777) to Clearwater Taxi cab & Airport Transportation (+1 727-678-9200), N.Y. Cab & Limo Co. (+1 727-543-4111) and many more, taxi cabs are easy to find in Clearwater. You can also easily find taxi cab lines in front of hotels and main attractions. It’s easy to hail one on the street, too.

Convenient yet rather expensive, getting around Clearwater by taxicab is not your best option if you’re on a budget, although a taxi cab ride may be your only option to get back to your hotel late at night. Note that tipping for taxi cabs in the States is usually between 15% and 20% of the fare. Most taxi cab drivers accept credit cards, though sometimes reluctantly.

Uber and Lyft are the 2 main ride-sharing apps used in Clearwater. Their rates are slightly cheaper than standard taxicabs.

Traveling by public transportation in Clearwater

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is the main public transportation company operating in Clearwater and Pinellas County. The system covers an area of over 200 square miles, and it even serves Tampa International Airport. Free Wi-Fi and bike racks are available onboard PSTA buses.

PSTA also runs 4 trolley lines in Pinellas County: Central Avenue Trolley, Downtown Looper, Jolley Trolley, and Suncoast Beach Trolley. Central Avenue Trolley and Downtown Looper operate in St. Petersburg, while Jolley Trolley and Suncoast Beach Trolley operate in Clearwater Beach.

A wide range of ticketing options is available, from 1-way tickets to multiple-day passes (GO Cards). You can buy single tickets on the bus with the exact amount in cash, while GO Cards are available online and at specific locations.

Renting a automobile in Clearwater

Renting and driving a automobile is not the best idea for getting around Clearwater as traffic can get very congested and parking is hard to find. Public transportation is convenient enough to get to landmarks, attractions, and beaches, and almost everything is within walking distance.

Clearwater Ferry

Clearwater Ferry has 2 water taxi cab routes that offer an unusual and breezy way of getting around. Note that reservations are mandatory as there’s no room guaranteed for walk-on passengers.

Clearwater Route departs from Downtown Clearwater, stops at Clearwater Beach Marina, and ends in North Beach. Dunedin Route departs from Downtown Clearwater and stops at the Clearwater Beach Marina, North Beach, CMA/Island Estates, and Dunedin.

Cycling around Clearwater

Hiring a bicycle is a cool way of getting around Clearwater. Many cycling trails for all levels are spread throughout Pinellas County. PSTA has bike racks that allow you to easily reach cycling trails too far from your hotel. Cycling route maps are available online.

You can hire a road, electric, or mountain bike at rental companies like Kafe Racer (+1 727-466-1245), Fun Ride Rentals (+1 855-538-6743), and Clearwater Beach Scooter and Bike Rentals (+1 727-466-9543), just to name a few.

5. What are the main annual events in Clearwater?

Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival

1. April
2. A 17-day Clearwater Beach celebration with sand sculpture contests as its main attraction, alongside live music performances, a kid’s play zone, and more.
3. Where: Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Celebrates America

1. 4 July
2. Clearwater celebrates Independence Day in a park downtown with food and drink stalls, music, and family-friendly activities. The fireworks start around 9 pm.
3. Where: Coachman Park

Clearwater Jazz Vacation

1. October
2. Founded in 1980, this annual celebration offers cool cats a great occasion to enjoy their favorite music. Dizzy Gillespie, UB40, and Sheryl Crow are just a few of the famed artists who have performed at the festival.
3. Where: Coachman Park

6. What are the main landmarks in Clearwater?

Pier 60

A highly popular fishing jetty in Clearwater Beach that’s not only a splendid place to cast your line but also as a stage for street performers at night.

Pinellas County Heritage Village

Home to 2 museums, a native plants trail, and a gift shop. Learn about Pinellas County’s local history and watch demonstrations such as sugar cane juice extraction, metal forging, smoking food, and more.

Moccasin Lake Nature Park

A 51-acre green oasis in the middle of Clearwater, ideal for a relaxing stroll surrounded by nature. You can explore the reserve via trails and boardwalks that meander through a dense oak forest.

Anclote Key Lighthouse

This historic landmark is an emaciated metal pyramidal tower 14 miles north of Clearwater, built in 1887 toward the southern tip of the nature preserve state park of the same name.

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.