Closest Airport to Marco Island

The short answer

The closest airport to Marco Island with a full choice of airlines is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. It is about 47 miles north of the island, and the drive takes roughly an hour.

There is an airport closer than that, and one almost on the island itself, but most people cannot use them. Marco Island Executive Airport has no airline flights at all. Naples Airport is 30 minutes away, but it has had no regular airline service for years. That is about to change, and I cover it below.

So for nearly every trip, the real choice is between Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Here is how they compare, and when the longer drive is worth it.

Airports near Marco Island at a glance

Distances and drive times are approximate, measured to the middle of the island in normal traffic.

Airport	Distance (miles)	Drive time	Airline flights
Marco Island Executive (MKY)	4	10 min	None, private planes only
Naples (APF)	20	30 min	American to Charlotte, planned from Dec 2, 2026
Southwest Florida Intl, Fort Myers (RSW)	47	1 hr	15 airlines
Punta Gorda (PGD)	80	1 hr 20 min	Allegiant, plus seasonal Sun Country
Miami (MIA)	100	2 hr	Most US and international airlines
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)	110	2 hr	Strong low-cost choice

Marco Island and its airports, not to scale. Everything except Miami and Fort Lauderdale is a straight run up or down I-75.

Fort Myers (RSW): the one most people should book

RSW is the airport Marco Island hotels tell their guests to use, and they are right. It handled more than 11 million passengers in 2025, so it is a proper airport with real competition on fares.

Fifteen airlines fly there: Air Canada, Alaska, Allegiant, American, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, Discover, Frontier, JetBlue, Porter, Southwest, Sun Country, United and WestJet. That mix matters. You get the big three for connections, plus several low-cost airlines that keep prices honest from the Northeast and Midwest.

The drive is simple. Take I-75 south to exit 101, then Collier Boulevard (State Road 951) straight onto the island. Rental cars, taxis and Uber or Lyft are all at the terminal.

One warning. Between January and April the whole region is full of winter visitors. Fares into RSW climb and I-75 slows down, so give yourself 90 minutes for the drive back to the airport.

Punta Gorda (PGD): worth it if Allegiant flies from your city

Punta Gorda is about 30 miles past Fort Myers, so the drive to Marco Island is closer to 1 hour 20 minutes. It is a small, easy airport, and almost every flight is Allegiant.

Allegiant flies nonstop to Punta Gorda from dozens of smaller cities in the Midwest and the East, places like Syracuse, Peoria and Grand Rapids. If you live near one of them, a cheap nonstop into PGD can beat a connection into RSW on both price and time.

Check the days before you get excited. Many of these routes run only twice a week, so your dates have to fit the schedule. Add bag fees to the fare too.

Miami (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL): for international trips and big savings

Both are about two hours from Marco Island, on the other side of the Everglades. I would only choose Miami or Fort Lauderdale for one of three reasons:

• You are flying in from Europe or Latin America and want a nonstop.
• The fare is much lower. For a family of four, saving $80 a ticket pays for the extra drive. Saving $20 does not.
• You want to add Miami or the Everglades to the trip anyway.

From Fort Lauderdale the route is I-75 across Alligator Alley, which is a toll road. From Miami you can also take US-41, the Tamiami Trail. It is free and slower, and it runs through the Everglades, which is a nice drive in daylight. Fill the tank first on either road, because fuel stops are few.

Naples (APF) and Marco Island Executive (MKY): close, but limited

Marco Island Executive Airport sits on the mainland just north of the bridge. It is for private and charter planes. You cannot buy an airline ticket to it.

Naples Airport is the one to watch. It has had no regular airline service since 2017, but American Airlines is now selling tickets for flights between Naples and Charlotte, starting December 2, 2026. The airport says the start still depends on a final agreement, so check before you plan around it.

If it goes ahead, you could connect through Charlotte and land 30 minutes from Marco Island. Expect small regional jets, only a few flights a day, and fares higher than RSW. For a short trip where time matters more than money, that could still be a good deal.

How I would choose

Start with RSW and treat everything else as a comparison. Then run three quick checks:

1. Search RSW for your dates. This is your baseline price.
2. Search PGD if you live near a smaller airport. A nonstop on the right day can be cheaper and faster than changing planes.
3. Search MIA and FLL only if the RSW fare looks high, or you are coming from abroad. Count the extra hour each way, the tolls and the fuel before you call it a saving.

On FarePuffin you can run the same dates into each airport and see the totals side by side. Check what the fare includes as well. A cheap ticket with a paid carry-on is not always the cheap ticket, and the hidden fees guide shows what to look for.

Getting from the airport to Marco Island

Rent a car if you can. Marco Island is spread out, there is no train, and public buses will not get you there from any of these airports in a sensible time. A car also makes Naples, the Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands easy day trips.

If you do not want to drive, book a shuttle or car service from RSW in advance, or take a taxi or rideshare. Getting a ride to the island is easy. Getting one back for an early flight is harder, so reserve that one the day before.

FAQ

What airport do you fly into for Marco Island, Florida?

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. It is about 47 miles and one hour from the island, and 15 airlines fly there.

Does Marco Island have its own airport?

Yes, Marco Island Executive Airport (MKY), but it only handles private and charter planes. No airline sells tickets to it.

Can you fly into Naples, Florida?

Not on a regular airline today. American Airlines plans to start flights between Naples (APF) and Charlotte on December 2, 2026, subject to final approval.

Is it better to fly into Miami or Fort Myers for Marco Island?

Fort Myers, unless Miami is much cheaper or you need an international nonstop. Miami adds about an hour of driving each way.

How far is Marco Island from Naples?

About 20 miles, or 30 minutes by car.

For most trips the answer stays the same: book Fort Myers, and only look further when the price gap is big enough to pay for the drive. Compare the airports for your own dates before you decide.

Sources

• Airlines serving RSW, Lee County Port Authority (airline list, 2025 passenger count)
• Naples Airport news (American Airlines service from Dec 2, 2026)
• Punta Gorda Airport overview (Allegiant and seasonal Sun Country)
• Airports near Marco Island (RSW distance and drive time)