From Runway To Beach Day: Make The Most Of A Travel Day

by ·

Waiting around in airports is never fun, but during summer the feeling of being cooped up on a beautiful day can be pure torture. But there’s no reason to spend the whole day on travel. Many airports are within striking distance of an ocean (or lake), and prime beaches can be just a short ride away. To help you make a break for the sun, Cheapflights.com, the leader in finding and publishing online travel deals, has scouted out 14 top airports for a bonus beach escape, with the details on where a cab, or even public transit, can whisk you away to a lovely expanse of sand, leaving thoughts of cramped seats and airport security lines far behind.

If you find yourself stuck at the airport or have a few hours to spare before, after or between flights, Cheapflights.com’s blog post ‘Runway to Beach Day: 14 top airports for a bonus beach escape’ features the skinny on where to go for a little added fun in the sun at some of the most popular travel spots around the world. For an easy beach break certain to take the edge off your next travel day or layover check out www.cheapflights.com/news/beaches-near-airports/ (PRNewsfoto/Cheapflights.com)

Here are a few of the airports where an easy added beach escape awaits travelers before, after or even in between flights:

  • San Diego International Airport, California: Mission Beach – There is plenty to keep you busy on a visit to San Diego’s Mission Beach, whether you’re traveling alone, with kids or as a couple. The beach itself offers the chance to swim, play a game of volleyball on the sand or walk along the adjacent boardwalk. Belmont Park amusement park is nearby if you feel like riding a roller coaster, and Mission Beach is also home to many bars, restaurants and cafes, as well as showers in case you need to rinse off before heading to the airport.
    Getting there: The trip from the San Diego airport to Mission Beach takes under 20 minutes, and a taxi is your most convenient option.
  • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Florida: Fort Lauderdale Beach Park – You don’t need to go too far after getting off a plane in Fort Lauderdale to hit the beach. One of your best options is to make your way to Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, which has plenty to keep beach-goers of all ages happy. Here you’ll find a long stretch of soft sand, volleyball courts, outdoor grills, picnic tables, outdoor showers and a playground for kids. You’ll also find plenty of cafes and restaurants right across from the beach.
    Getting there: Fort Lauderdale Beach Park is only about 15 minutes from the airport. The quickest option is to take a taxi.
  • Cancun International Airport, Mexico: Playa Tortugas – Although this beach can get crowded on weekends, the turquoise water and white sand of Cancun make it worth finding your own spot among the throngs of beachgoers. There are lounge chairs here to rent, and the water is clean and shallow making it good for swimming. You can also rent snorkel equipment if you want to check out what’s going on beneath the waves. If you’re feeling really adventurous, brave the on-site bungee tower where jumpers leap into the water below. Restaurants and food vendors abound so there’s plenty to eat and drink, and there are public restrooms nearby. Playa Tortugas is also an access point for the ferry to Isla Mujeres, so you can add in a visit to that charming island, if you have enough time.
    Getting there: Playa Tortugas is less than 30 minutes by car from the airport, so we’d recommend taking a taxi.
  • Tampa International Airport, Florida: Clearwater Beach – The closest beach to Tampa International for your sunbathing pleasure is Clearwater Beach, one of the prettiest stretches of sand in Florida. Cabanas, chairs and sun umbrellas are available for rent, volleyball nets are set up on the sand, restrooms and showers are located on-site and a plethora of restaurants and bars are close by. If you happen to be at the beach close to sunset, head to Pier 60 for the daily festival Sunsets at Pier 60, celebrating the famous sunsets over Clearwater Beach. There are buskers, live entertainment, craft vendors and live music. The fun takes place from two hours before to two hours after sunset.
    Getting there: Clearwater Beach is roughly a 35-minute taxi ride from Tampa International.
  • Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Isla Verde Beach – Isla Verde Beach is the longest and widest one in San Juan and it’s conveniently close to the airport. The calm and clear water makes this a good snorkeling spot, with equipment for rent at several kiosks on the beach. Being a popular resort area, you also won’t have to search long for a place to eat or grab a drink by the water.
    Getting there: Isla Verde Beach is only about a 10-minute taxi ride from San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín Airport.

Next time you find yourself in an airport wishing you could be anywhere other than the terminal you are pacing, fear not. On top of the five choice spots listed above, here are nine more airports where a bonus beach escape waits: Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Illinois: Ohio Street Beach; Miami International Airport, Florida: South Beach; Los Angeles International Airport, California: Marina Del Rey; Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Jamaica: Doctor’s Cave Beach; Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii: Ala Moana Beach Park; Punta Cana International Airport, Dominican Republic: Playa Bavaro; Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Spain: Barceloneta Beach;  Athens International Airport, Greece: Edem Beach and Toronto Pearson Airport, Ontario, Canada: Sunnyside Beach.  For more details and Cheapflights.com’s complete list of top airports for a bonus beach escape, head to www.cheapflights.com/news/beaches-near-airports.

More Lifestyle News:

  1. 2018 Spring Break Travel Trends – Booking.com Spring Break season is right around the corner and Americans will be taking off on trips throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Mexico in search of sprawling beaches, lively nightlife, and inspiring culture. For those still looking to book a trip,...
  2. Fort Lauderdale Water Shuttle will be offering a new kind of tour, The Blue Discovery Tour This spring, the Fort Lauderdale Water Shuttle will be offering a new kind of tour with an environmental twist. The Blue Discovery Tour kicks off on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11 a.m. and will then be held every fourth...
  3. “Girlfriends & Glamour Getaway” Package, Available through Oct. 1 What could be better for a girls getaway than a look at Elizabeth Taylor’s girly “riches” via an NSU Art Museum photography exhibition, a delightful stay at the Riverside Hotel, delectable cuisine and beverages, an all-day Water Taxi pass, and...
  4. TripAdvisor Names 10 Of The Most Popular Spring Break Destinations For Americans To Get The Most Bang For Their Buck TripAdvisor®, the travel planning and booking site, today unveiled its inaugural TripMaximizer Report, revealing how far a traveler’s dollar can stretch in 10 of the most popular destinations on TripAdvisor this spring. The report, designed to help U.S. travelers plan...
  5. Christmas In July? Shoppers’ Guide To When To Snag Holiday Flight Deals If booking winter holiday travel isn’t on your summer to-do list, perhaps it should be. That’s because we are entering the sweet spot for finding the lowest airfare to our favorite holiday destinations. The travel experts at Cheapflights.com, the leader...
  6. US Airports Prone to Flight Cancellations – Travel Report In an effort to help empower passengers to make more informed decisions when booking flights, InsureMyTrip Research reveals which of the country’s busiest airports are more prone to flight cancellations and what passengers should know about airline cancellation policies. Summary:...
  7. Wyndham® Extra Holidays Invites Travelers To “Spring Forward Into Fun” With Special Travel Deals Wyndham® Extra Holidays, a subsidiary of Wyndham Vacation Ownership (WVO), the world’s largest vacation ownership company and member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), is now offering special spring and early summer travel deals to 30 destinations...
  8. U.S. Travel Association’s Annual Daily Getaways Promotion Returns With Exclusive Online Travel Deals The U.S. Travel Association’s Daily Getaways promotion kicks off today, with deep discounts from leading travel brands redeemable in popular U.S. destinations. Travelers can save upwards of 60 percent on exclusive deals from leading hotels, rental car companies and attractions....
  9. Ebates Travel Thursdays – Travel Savings and Cash Back Ebates announced Travel Thursdays, a 24-hour promotion on Thursdays that will give members up to 10 percent cash back on hotel bookings made through Ebates Hotels while also offering impressive savings on airfare, rental cars, cruises and activities. Save Up...
  10. The Travel Angel app – Know Your Airline Travel Rights The Travel Angel app for Google & Apple devices is Now Available on iTunes and Google Play. The Travel Angel app clearly and easily lays out Federal Aviation Flight Contracts and Terms, that every passenger has a right too. The...