Cheap flights to Fort Myers from £470

City overview

Glorious sun, beautiful beaches, golf courses galore, and manatees — is just a few of the things which attract visitors to book flights to Fort Myers, the City of Palms.

Sanibel and Captiva are two islands off the coast of Fort Myers, connected to the mainland by a three-mile (4.8 km) toll road (you’ll need a car). Sanibel has smooth beaches on its Gulf side and shallow bays, creeks, and the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on the east side. The refuge covers 6,000 acres and is home to many animal species. It is famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations.

The Captiva Island beaches at Fort Myers have been called the most romantic in the country. Captiva Island has only the sandy beaches, shells, calm waters, and warm air. It’s the perfect place to do nothing, although sunning, walking, and fishing are also possibilities.

For something more laid back and with more moderate prices, try Fort Myers Beach. A seven-mile (11 km), white, sandy beach, it is considered one of the best family-friendly beaches in the southeast United States. Most of the action is at “Times Square,” but the rest of the island is more sedate and relaxed.

Getting around Fort Myers

You’ll need a car to get around Fort Myers, the beaches and the surrounding attractions.  

Getting from the Airport to the City

The main airport for travellers taking a flight to Fort Myers is: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).

There is shuttle service to nearby hotels, and the airport’s website has postings of the shuttle schedules, taxi rates, and car rental companies.

What is good to know if travelling to Fort Myers?

• If you’re a Red Sox or Twins fan, catch spring training in Fort Myers. The Red Sox practice at City of Palms Park and the Minnesota Twins at the Lee County Sports Complex.
• The Shell Factory, a North Fort Myers landmark, claims to have the largest collection of rare sea shells, sponges, coral, fossils, and sea-life specimens along with shells, things made from shells, and shell collections. In case that isn’t enough, there’s also a nature park, petting zoo, botanical trail, gourmet fudge, and more.
• Shelling is a main attraction at Sanibel Island; however, read up on seashell ecology so you don’t collect any shells protected by Florida law. To learn more about shells, stop in at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, which has displays of over a million shells from around the world. The annual Sanibel Shell Fair and Show, held for three days every March, features demonstrations of shell art and shell crafts and has shells and shell crafts available for purchase.
• Loggerhead turtles, an endangered species, nest and lay their eggs on Estero Island (Fort Myers Beach) from May through August. The incubation period is 55 to 65 days, and hatching can extend through October. See the Turtle Time Web site for guidelines on what to do during the nesting and hatching season.
• The best known of Fort Myers’ historic treasures are “Seminole Lodge,” the winter home of Thomas A. Edison, and Henry Ford’s neighbouring winter home, “The Mangoes.” Edison’s home includes his laboratory, where everything is just as it was when he worked in the lab. There are tours for both estates and scheduled events and activities throughout the year.
• Eden Vineyards and Winery, Florida’s oldest winery and vineyard, is about ten miles east of Ft. Myers. This is the southernmost federally licensed and bonded winery and vineyard in the US.

Fort Myers airport overview

Located about 16km (10 miles) south-east of Fort Myers, Southwest Florida International Airport serves the greater Southwest Florida region, including Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Bonita Springs and Naples. More than 7.5 million passengers used it in 2010 and it is one of the busiest single runway airports in the US.

Comprising one Main Terminal and concourse B-D, with free Wi-Fi throughout, modern facilities and plenty of natural sunlight, Southwest Florida International is a compact yet state-of-the-art airport. Security checks and baggage claims are quick and efficient, amenities neat and tidy, and staff courteous and helpful. Moreover, the airport features a wide array of works by local artists, making it a pleasure to wander around while you wait for your flight.

With nonstop flights throughout North America, and services to Canada and Germany, as well as a number of national hubs including Atlanta, Chicago and New York, Southwest Florida International offers much in the way of convenience for both local and international travellers.