North America > United States > Fort Myers (RSW)
The Car or no Car advice for Fort Myers can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Fort Myers ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Fort Myers ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Fort Myers?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Getting in and around without a car 🚶♂️🚌
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is well organised but very car-oriented. While taxis, rideshare services, and hotel shuttles are available, public transport options from the airport are limited and slow. Within the city itself, LeeTran buses do operate, and there is a seasonal trolley service in parts of downtown and along the waterfront. However, frequencies are modest, routes are indirect, and services are clearly designed as a safety net rather than a primary way of getting around.
Downtown Fort Myers is walkable once you are there. The riverfront area, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, and clusters of bars and restaurants can all be explored on foot. That said, downtown is small, and most visitors quickly want to venture further afield.
Beaches, islands, and day trips 🌴
This is where the balance tips firmly towards driving. Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island are the headline attractions, and although buses do reach some of these areas, journeys are slow and infrequent. A car makes it far easier to move between beaches, stop at quieter stretches of coast, or visit nature reserves without watching the clock.
Beyond the immediate coastline, a rental car also opens up day trips to places like Naples, Cape Coral, or even the Everglades. Distances in southwest Florida are deceptive, and roads are generally easy to drive, wide, and well signposted.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Fort Myers? 🚗
For most visitors, absolutely. While it is possible to manage short stays downtown without driving, the region’s biggest strengths lie in its beaches, islands, and wide-open spaces. These are places designed to be reached by road. Renting a car gives you flexibility, saves time, and allows you to enjoy Fort Myers and its surroundings at your own pace, rather than planning your holiday around bus timetables.