The City of Clearwater and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) have announced the return of their popular free Park-and-Ride service to Clearwater Beach for the 2026 spring break season, starting March 1 and running through May 3. This initiative, now in its seventh year, aims to ease parking challenges and reduce traffic congestion on the barrier island, where more than 50,000 vehicles typically pass through the Clearwater Beach roundabout on a busy spring break day.
Due to ongoing construction in downtown Clearwater, this year’s service features updated parking locations and schedules different from previous years. Visitors can park for free at designated lots in downtown Clearwater and then take a complimentary PSTA bus or trolley directly to the beach, with return service available at Pier 60 and the Clearwater Beach Marina.
Service Schedules
- March 1–March 22 and April 17–May 3:
- Monday–Thursday: No free service.
- Friday* and Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- *Parking Garage parking is free beginning at 6 p.m. on weekdays; the Gould Street Lot is free all day on service days.
- March 27–April 12 (during the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival):
- Sunday–Thursday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to midnight.
Free Parking Locations
- Gould Parking Lot — Corner of Gould Street and Martin Luther King Avenue (serviced by PSTA buses).
- Pinellas County Parking Garage — 310 S. Court Street (serviced by trolleys).
- Garden Avenue Parking Garage — 28 N. Garden Ave. (serviced by trolleys).
Lisa Chandler, operator of the Pier 60 concessions and founder of the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, emphasized the importance of alternative transportation options. “Clearwater Beach continues to thrive as one of the top destinations in the state of Florida,” she said. “While there is plenty of room to spread out over three miles of our sugar sand beaches, finding a place to park your vehicle can be challenging at times. Alternative modes of transportation like the Clearwater Ferry, Jolley Trolley, buses and ride-sharing services are crucial to the success of our barrier-island economy and vitality, as they offer a convenient, cost-effective way to experience the best of Clearwater Beach.”
In addition to the Park-and-Ride, visitors are encouraged to explore other transportation alternatives, including the Clearwater Ferry, Grouper Airport Express, Snapper On Demand, Uber, Lyft, and United Taxi.
For the latest details on beach parking, visit MyClearwater.com/Parking or PSTA.net/SpringBreak. The service helps promote easier access to Clearwater Beach’s renowned white sands and vibrant attractions during one of Florida’s busiest tourist seasons.
