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Major city · United States

ClearwaterClearwater, Florida

Base on Clearwater Beach for 2–3 nights if the sand is the point; sleep downtown only if you want cheaper rooms and a car.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storm season), plus spring-break weeks in March
Airports
PIE · TPA
Nights
2–3
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Clearwater is two places joined by a causeway: the mainland downtown, and Clearwater Beach on a barrier island about 5 km west. The beach is the reason most people come — wide white sand, lifeguards, a nightly sunset market at Pier 60. Downtown is cheaper, flatter and closer to the airport, but you will drive or take the trolley to the water. Two or three nights covers it; a week works if you add St. Pete, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Clearwater, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–7
  • Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main courseAdd 18–22% tip and 7% sales tax.$22–40
  • Street or quick mealGrouper sandwich or a casual lunch$15–25
  • BeerDraft beer at a beach bar$7–10
  • Taxi, about 5 kmRide-hail, beach to downtown$15–25
  • Museum or sight ticketClearwater Marine Aquarium entry$30–40 (check)
  • Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
  • High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$340

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$200 · High US$380

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Clearwater Beach and Pier 60Sunsets at Pier 60Clearwater Marine AquariumSpring training baseball (Phillies)Church of Scientology headquarters downtown
Airports
PIE St. Pete–Clearwater International (About 20–25 min by road to the beach; limited routes, mostly Allegiant plus a few others) · TPA Tampa International (About 30–40 min by road; the main gateway with far more flights)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Clearwater: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

22°C

12°C

6 rd

Feb

23°C

13°C

6 rd

Mar

25°C

16°C

6 rd

Apr

28°C

18°C

5 rd

May

30°C

22°C

7 rd

Jun

32°C

24°C

12 rd

Jul

32°C

25°C

15 rd

Aug

32°C

25°C

15 rd

Sep

31°C

24°C

12 rd

Oct

29°C

21°C

7 rd

Nov

26°C

17°C

5 rd

Dec

23°C

13°C

6 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the easy answer: the beach, downtown, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs are 15–40 min apart and buses are slow. Without one, use the Suncoast Beach Trolley along the coast and PSTA buses to downtown St. Petersburg; ride-hailing works but surges at sunset and on weekend nights. Parking on Clearwater Beach is paid and fills by mid-morning in season.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Dunedingo

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive or trolley north along the coast

Small downtown, Pinellas Trail and Blue Jays spring training in Feb–Mar.

Tarpon Springs

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Drive north on US 19 or Alt 19

Greek sponge docks; go for lunch and the boats.

Saint Petersburggo

Door to door: About 40–60 min

Drive over the causeway, or PSTA bus

Museums, the Pier and a bigger downtown; a full day.

St. Pete Beachcaution

Door to door: About 45–60 min

Drive south along Gulf Blvd

Similar beach to the one you are on; only worth it if you want a change of scene.

Safety Harbor

go

Door to door: About 25 min

Drive east on SR 60 then north

Small bayfront town with a spa and a walkable main street.

Largo

skip

Door to door: About 20 min

Drive or PSTA bus south

Mostly residential and retail; nothing you need on a short trip.

Palm Harbor

skip

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive north on US 19

Suburban; use it for a specific restaurant or the trail, not as a sight.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Clearwater Beach (Mandalay Ave and around Pier 60)

Walk to sand, pier and restaurants; resort prices, resort fees and parking charges. Book early for March.

Sand Key

Quieter strip south of the beach across the bridge; a few resorts, Sand Key Park next door, still need a car or trolley for dinner.

Downtown Clearwater

Cheaper rooms, breweries and the aquarium side of the causeway; 10–15 min drive or trolley to the beach.

Ulmerton Road / Countryside

Chain hotels near PIE and the mall; only worth it for an early flight or a car-based trip.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
$160–260 excl. bed
High
$300+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Chain-hotel double room1 × 3 nights × US$190US$570
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$200US$1,200
Ride-hail TPA to Clearwater Beach, one way1 × US$55 · checkUS$55
Suncoast Beach Trolley day pass2 × US$5US$10
Beach parking, one day1 × US$20 · checkUS$20
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$190
Trip total≈ US$348 per person per day, bed includedUS$2,085

Beach resorts cost more and add resort and parking fees.

2026 estimate in US dollars, before sales tax; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–7
Grouper sandwich or a casual lunch$15–25
Sit-down dinner, main courseAdd 18–22% tip and 7% sales tax.$22–40
Draft beer at a beach bar$7–10
Ride-hail, beach to downtown$15–25
Clearwater Marine Aquarium entry$30–40 (check)
Beach umbrella and chair rental$20–40 (check)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Clearwater Beach is busy and well patrolled by day; the real risks are rip currents, summer heat and petty theft from unattended beach bags. Downtown is quiet at night — stay in lit areas and use ride-hailing after dark.
  • Summer heat and humidity: plan beach time before 11:00 and after 16:00, and watch the flag warnings for rip currents and stingrays.
  • Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov, peaking Aug–Oct; keep a flexible booking and check forecasts before you fly.
  • Beach parking is metered and scarce; arrive before 10:00 in season or pay for a lot.
  • Downtown Clearwater has a large Scientology presence; some buildings are organisation-only and not open to visitors.
  • Spring-break weeks in March bring crowds, higher room rates and traffic on the causeway.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Pinellas County non-emergency
727-582-6200

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

ClearwaterClearwater, Florida

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Pinellas County non-emergency727-582-6200

Embassy

No embassies in Clearwater; consulates are in Miami and Atlanta (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Ride-hail TPA → Clearwater Beach: $45–70, 30–40 min (check)
  • Suncoast Beach Trolley: about $2.25 a ride, about $5 all day
  • Beach parking: metered by the hour; lots charge by the day (check)

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Clearwater. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, storm season), plus spring-break weeks in March · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for PIE and TPA: last trolley and bus times, taxi and ride-hail fallback, late-arrival rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Pier 60 and Mandalay Ave, Sand Key and Sand Key Park, downtown and the aquarium, Countryside for a rainy day.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and cutoffs (Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Pier 60, Sand Key Park, Countryside Mall rink) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Storm and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green in Jun–Nov.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources