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St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is a public airport in Pinellas County, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay area from a site in Pinellas Park near the Howard Frankland Bridge. Originally opened as Pinellas Army Airfield during World War II, it now offers scheduled low-cost carrier service and is also home to a U.S. Coast Guard air station. It is a smaller, easier alternative to Tampa International, with quick access to St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, and the Gulf Coast.
💡 Local Tip
If you are plane spotting or waiting for a pickup, the upper level of the parking garage can offer views of commercial traffic and the based U.S. Coast Guard aircraft; it is a quiet alternative to the terminal curb.
🚖 Getting There
PIE sits just off Roosevelt Boulevard and Ulmerton Road, with quick connections to I-275 north to Tampa and south to St. Petersburg. Rideshare pickups use a designated area near the terminal, and rental car returns are on-site, so allow extra time only during beach-bound peak traffic. PSTA bus routes connect to nearby Pinellas hubs, but a car or rideshare is usually fastest for beach and downtown destinations.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What airlines fly to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport?
A: PIE is served primarily by Allegiant Air, with seasonal and charter operators also using the airport. Because airline schedules change, check the airport's website or the carrier directly for current routes.
Q: How far is PIE from St. Petersburg and Clearwater beaches?
A: The airport is about 10 miles from downtown St. Petersburg and roughly 15-20 miles from Clearwater Beach, depending on traffic. Drive times are typically 15-30 minutes outside peak beach congestion.
Q: Is PIE the same as Tampa International Airport?
A: No. PIE is a separate airport in Pinellas County, while Tampa International (TPA) is across Tampa Bay in Hillsborough County. PIE is smaller and often less crowded, but TPA has more airlines and nonstop destinations.
Q: What ground transportation is available at PIE?
A: Rental cars, taxis, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, and PSTA public buses serve the airport. Many travelers also arrange hotel shuttles or drive, since the terminal is close to I-275 and major Pinellas roads.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 27, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash