Family Guide Florida

In-state connections

Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa airports (see Getting to Florida) offer connections to smaller cities around the state, usually on small commuter planes. Amtrak trains connect Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, while Greyhound buses serve smaller destinations, with an express service between Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Jacksonville. Red Coach, Megabus, and The Florida Express Bus offer services between cities, airports, and cruise terminals. However, fares can be costly for a family, making it more economical, and quicker, to travel by car. Most of the popular destinations are within a 4- or 5-hour drive of each other. Distances that may be worth the cost of a flight are from south to north, from Miami to destinations such as Tallahassee (466 miles/750 km), or Panama City (558 miles/898 km).

By car or RV

Car rental agencies, including Avis, Budget, and Thrifty, are found at all airports and in larger cities around the state. Rates vary with the seasons, but are generally less than $200 for a week’s rental of a small car. Agencies require the driver to be over 21 (or 25 in some cases), with a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. All US and most foreign licenses are accepted, but getting an international license is a good idea if your license is not in English. If your home auto insurance does not cover travel, consider buying insurance when renting. Note that state and local taxes can add up to 20 percent to the bill. Reserving in advance saves money. Travel sites such as Expedia also give a good overview of the car rental rates in an area. Gas stations are plentiful, but many are closed at night. Florida’s population centers have heavy traffic from 7 to 9am and 3:30 to 6pm, so avoid these times if possible.

DRIVING REGULATIONS

All US traffic travels on the right-hand side of the road. Speed limits are 20–30 mph (32–48 km/h) in commercial and residential areas, and 55 mph (88 km/h) on highways except Interstate expressways, where the limit goes up to 70 mph (112 km/h) per hour. Most road signs are clear and easy to understand. Right turns are allowed at a red stoplight, unless signs indicate otherwise. Florida law requires all occupants to wear seat belts, and a federally approved infant carrier or car seat must be used for kids of 5 and under. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website is the best source for driving regulations.

RV TRAVEL

Recreational vehicles (RVs), or mobile homes, can be great for families, providing comfortable living quarters as well as efficient transportation. Companies such as Cruise America and USA RV Rentals offer rentals in a variety of sizes to fit all budgets. Many RV campgrounds in Florida are mini-resorts, with plenty of amenities (House-swapping).

Public transportation

Most of Florida’s cities have bus services, but the need is small and the time between buses can be an hour or more. Miami Beach is well served by two routes of the South Beach Local bus, and Walt Disney World® Resort is also served by buses, trams, boats, and a monorail. Two passenger train services that have commenced operations are Brightline, which serves coastal cities and towns from Miami to West Palm, and SunRail, which serves four Central Florida counties. Beach towns such as Bradenton and Sarasota have tourist trolleys connecting town and beach, and the Suncoast Beach Trolley connects all the beaches from Clearwater to St. Petersburg.

By bike

Florida is very bicycle-friendly and cycling families will find lanes almost everywhere to help them get around town, though pedaling on busy thoroughfares may be a bit intim-idating. Those keen on longer tours can sample the Pinellas Trail, which stretches from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg, passing through pretty towns and scenic coastal areas for 43 miles (69 km). Check out Bike Florida for more information and ideas.

A bike route signboard in Sanibel Island

By boat

The Intracoastal Waterway parallels the Atlantic coastline of Florida for 380 miles (611 km), and offers calm water for sailing or motorboats. Boat rentals are available in many towns, particularly in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Boats with a crew can also be chartered. Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi and Delray Beach Cruises offer sightseeing cruises.

Great Rivers of Florida, a 7-day cruise offered by American Cruise Lines on the American Glory riverboat from Jacksonville, takes passengers along the St. Johns and Tolomato rivers, passing through Ocala National Forest and with stops at St. Augustine and Amelia Island. Houseboating offers the chance to explore the islands of southwestern Florida around Sanibel, cruise the Keys, or discover the beauty of the St. Johns or Suwannee rivers. Operators such as Suwannee Houseboats offer rentals by the day, the weekend, or the week.