Getting around Clearwater Beach is easier when you know your options. Whether you are driving, biking, or using public transportation, this guide covers the basics to help you plan your travel and enjoy more of your vacation.
The short version: parking near the beach is plentiful but not cheap, it fills up quickly on weekends and in peak season, and once you have arrived you may not need your car at all. Two trolley systems, a water ferry and the walkable Beach Walk promenade cover most of what visitors want to reach.
Below are the real rates, places and timetables, taken from the City of Clearwater, Pinellas County, PSTA and the Jolley Trolley, with links so you can check for changes before you go.
| City beach lots | $3.50 an hour, 6 am to 11 pm |
|---|---|
| On street meters | $4.00 an hour, five hour limit |
| Sand Key Park | $6 a day through Nov 30, 2026; then $3.50 an hour, capped at $12 a day |
| Jolley Trolley | $2.25 cash fare; children 8 and under ride free |
| Suncoast Beach Trolley | About every 30 minutes, St. Pete Beach to Clearwater |
Public and paid parking options
Parking near the beach is available, but it fills up quickly during peak seasons and weekends. Understanding your options helps you avoid unnecessary circling.
The City of Clearwater runs the public lots on the beach. They charge $3.50 an hour and operate from 6 am to 11 pm. The Pier 60 lot at 160 South Gulfview Boulevard has 141 spaces with no time limit during those hours, which makes it the easiest choice for a full beach day, and the lot at 4 Rockaway Street has 146 spaces near the north end of the main beach. The Municipal Marina lot at 25 Causeway Boulevard is handy for boat trips but has a two hour limit.
Metered street parking costs $4.00 an hour with a five hour limit, so it suits a quick dinner or a sunset stop rather than a whole day.
Garages
For bigger garages, the private North Beach Parking Plaza at 490 Poinsettia Avenue has 700 spaces, and the Hyatt garage at 301 South Gulfview Boulevard has about 550 public spaces. Both are good bets on busy weekends when the surface lots are full. City of Clearwater beach parking.
How to pay
Most paid parking areas accept credit cards or mobile apps. At city spaces you can pay at the kiosks, with the ParkMobile app or by texting CLEARWATER to 727563, and the app lets you top up your time from your towel. Rates can change, so check posted signs carefully. Note that there is no public parking north of the Acacia roundabout and no RV parking on the beach.
Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon increases your chances of finding a convenient spot. On holiday weekends and spring break Saturdays, aim to be parked before 10 am.
Good to know: The city’s parking hotline is 727-562-4094, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Sand Key Park
Just across the Clearwater Pass bridge, Pinellas County’s Sand Key Park at 1060 Gulf Boulevard is about two miles south of Pier 60 and is often calmer than the main beach. It is open 7 am to sunset, with bathhouses, outdoor showers, a playground and two beach wheelchairs. Parking is pay by plate at stations that take credit cards only. The county charges $6 a day through November 30, 2026, and from December 1, 2026 beach parking moves to $3.50 an hour, capped at $12 a day. Sand Key Park and county beach parking.
Getting around without a car
Many visitors discover they don’t need a car once they arrive. Clearwater Beach is walkable, with restaurants, shops and attractions close together along Mandalay Avenue and the Beach Walk promenade. This is especially helpful for families and couples who want a relaxed pace.
Jolley Trolley
The Jolley Trolley is a favorite way to explore the area. It runs seven days a week, 365 days a year, and connects Clearwater Beach with nearby areas. The Beach routes cover North and South Clearwater Beach, while the Coastal route links the beach with downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs.
The cash fare is $2.25, with a reduced fare of $1.10, and children 8 and under ride free. The trolleys are ADA accessible and have bike racks, so you can ride one way and pedal back. For times and stops, call 727-445-1200 or see the Jolley Trolley website.
PSTA Suncoast Beach Trolley
To head south along the barrier islands, the Suncoast Beach Trolley runs between 75th Avenue in St. Pete Beach and Park Street in downtown Clearwater, stopping at Sand Key, Pier 60 and Clearwater Beach on the way, along with Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, John’s Pass Village and Treasure Island. Trolleys come about every 30 minutes from early morning until late evening, a little later on Friday and Saturday nights. Suncoast Beach Trolley. It is a great way to visit Treasure Island without fighting for parking.
Clearwater Ferry
The Clearwater Ferry is the scenic option. It runs Thursday to Sunday, linking downtown Clearwater, the Clearwater Beach Marina near Pier 60 and the Dunedin Marina, so you can cross the Intracoastal for dinner without driving. Clearwater Ferry.
Bikes and scooters
Biking is a fun and efficient way to explore the beach area, and rental shops are easy to find. Bikes are easy to park and great for short trips. One important rule: motorized and electric bicycles, scooters, hoverboards and unicycles are banned on Beach Walk, except for medically necessary devices. Ride them on the streets instead, follow local rules and wear helmets, especially younger riders. City beach rules.
Accessibility and family travel
Clearwater Beach works hard to remain accessible for all travelers. Many parking areas include accessible spaces close to beach entrances, and the city lends manual and motorized beach wheelchairs to visitors who need them; see its beach information page. Sand Key Park also has two beach wheelchairs.
For families, look for parking near restrooms and shade, such as the Pier 60 lot. Consider the trolley to avoid unloading strollers several times a day, and plan drives on and off the island outside the busiest late afternoon hours.
Stay within walking distance
The simplest parking tip of all is to stay where you can walk to the sand. Here are three of our homes that make it easy. Eldorado Beach Retreat has three bedrooms, three baths and a heated pool on the north end, steps from the beach. Coastal Breeze has four bedrooms, sleeps eight and has a large private pool, about a four minute walk to the beach. Bayway Luxury Waterfront Townhome sleeps nine over three floors on the south end, with a heated community pool.
Eldorado Beach Retreat
Coastal Breeze
Bayway Luxury Waterfront Townhome
Questions we get asked
How much is parking at Clearwater Beach?
City lots are $3.50 an hour from 6 am to 11 pm, and on street meters are $4.00 an hour with a five hour limit.
Is there free parking at Clearwater Beach?
The city lots and meters are paid. The cheapest all day option nearby is Sand Key Park, at $6 a day through November 30, 2026, then $3.50 an hour capped at $12.
How much does the Jolley Trolley cost?
The cash fare is $2.25, the reduced fare is $1.10, and children 8 and under ride free.
Can I ride an e-bike on Beach Walk?
No. Motorized and electric bicycles and scooters are banned on Beach Walk, except medically necessary devices.
Let’s plan it
Park Once, Walk Everywhere
Getting around Clearwater Beach doesn’t have to be complicated. A little planning, and a home close to the sand, make for a smoother and more relaxing stay.
See you on the sand.