Naples is easy to reach and easy to get around once you know a few local realities: the commercial airport is up in Fort Myers, the drive from the east coast crosses the Everglades, and the town itself is spread out enough that most visitors want a car. Here is the practical guide to flying in, driving in, and getting around once you arrive.
| Airport | Code | From Naples | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Florida International | RSW | ~35 mi, 35 to 50 min | Most travelers, all commercial flights |
| Naples Airport | APF | ~3 mi, 10 min | Private and charter only |
| Punta Gorda | PGD | ~55 mi, about 1 hr | Budget (Allegiant) flyers |
| Fort Lauderdale | FLL | ~105 mi, ~2 hr | East coast arrivals |
| Miami International | MIA | ~115 mi, ~2 hr | International arrivals |
For nearly everyone, the answer is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, the region's primary commercial gateway. It sits about 35 miles north of Naples, a 35-to-50-minute drive straight down Interstate 75, and offers a broad slate of domestic routes plus rental cars, rideshare, and taxis on site. A common point of confusion: you cannot fly commercially into Naples itself. Naples Airport (APF) is only about three miles from downtown, but it handles private, charter, and general aviation only, with no scheduled airline service. Budget travelers sometimes find better fares into Punta Gorda (PGD), about an hour north and served by Allegiant. If you are connecting from overseas or the east coast, Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) are each roughly two hours away across the state.
Naples sits at the junction of two major routes. Interstate 75 runs north to Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Tampa, and it is also the road you take east across the Everglades. That east-west stretch, officially I-75 but universally called Alligator Alley, is a toll road connecting Naples to the Fort Lauderdale and Miami area in about two hours. Fill up your tank before you get on it, since services along the Alley are sparse, and keep a few dollars handy for the toll. The other key artery is US-41, the Tamiami Trail, which doubles as Naples' main surface street through downtown and as the older, slower, more scenic route east through the Everglades toward Miami.
For most visitors, yes. Naples is a spread-out, car-oriented city, and having your own vehicle is the easiest way to reach the beaches, the parks, and the day trips to Marco Island and the Everglades. Rental cars are plentiful at RSW. The big exception is downtown: if you are staying near Fifth Avenue South or Third Street South, that core is genuinely walkable, and you can happily park the car for a day and get around on foot, by bike, or by rideshare.
Once you are here, you have several options beyond driving. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate throughout Naples and are the simplest way to get around without a car, alongside traditional taxis. Collier Area Transit (CAT), the public bus system, runs seven days a week across more than twenty routes, including a seasonal beach bus, with low fares and real-time tracking through the rideCAT and Transit apps; you can plan trips and see schedules at ridecat.com. For sightseeing rather than pure transport, the narrated Naples Trolley runs a hop-on, hop-off loop past Fifth Avenue South, Tin City, the City Dock, and the Naples Pier area, letting you get off and back on all day. Downtown and the beach paths are also very bike-friendly, which pairs well with our Naples bike trails guide.
Naples has two speeds. In the off-season it is quiet, but during snowbird season, roughly November through April, the population swells and the roads show it. US-41 and the main east-west connectors like Pine Ridge and Immokalee Road get congested, especially at midday and around dinner, so build in extra time for any drive in those months. One more heads-up for planning: the historic Naples Pier was damaged by Hurricanes Ian and Milton and is being rebuilt, so it is closed during construction; check the city's status before counting on a walk out over the water.
Southwest Florida International (RSW) in Fort Myers, about 35 miles north, a 35-to-50-minute drive. Naples Airport (APF) is closer but handles only private and charter flights.
Not on commercial airlines. Naples Airport (APF) serves private, charter, and general aviation only. Scheduled flights use RSW in Fort Myers.
About 110 to 125 miles, roughly two hours east across Alligator Alley (I-75).
For most visitors, yes. Naples is spread out and car-oriented, though downtown is very walkable and rideshare is widely available.
Yes. Collier Area Transit (CAT) runs buses seven days a week, including a seasonal beach bus, and the narrated Naples Trolley loops the downtown sights.
During snowbird season, roughly November through April, when US-41 and the main east-west roads get busy. Allow extra time.
The nickname for the I-75 toll stretch crossing the Everglades between Naples and the Fort Lauderdale and Miami area. Fuel up first, as services are sparse.
Once you have your bearings, start planning with our things to do in Naples guide, settle in with our living in Naples guide, or map out a day away with our Marco Island day trip guide.