The St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport, close to the beaches, carries approximately one million commercial passengers each year. The Albert Whitted Airport, situated on the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, serves corporate aircraft, private pilots, and helicopters. Most visitors arrive at the larger Tampa International Airport, a 30- to 45-minute drive away. CSX Corp. provides rail service to St. Petersburg, and the Port of Tampa accommodates international cruise ships.
Most drivers to St. Petersburg pass through Tampa and over Tampa Bay. Interstate 275, which runs through the city, connects to both interstates 4 and 75 in Tampa. U.S. 19 connects St. Petersburg to the rest of Pinellas County to the north. The Sunshine Skyway bridge, at the terminus of Interstate 275, spans the mouth of Tampa Bay to join St. Petersburg with Manatee County, including the cities of Sarasota and Bradenton to the south.
St. Petersburg is laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid pattern with streets running north to south and avenues running east to west. Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 are the two major northsouth arteries. Central Avenue cuts through downtown and runs out to the beaches on the Gulf coast. Public bus transportation is operated by Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. Sightseers may use Gray Line Sightseeing Tours and First Class Coach Company.