# St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

> Pinellas Park, US · 14 km (9 mi) north of downtown St. Petersburg

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/pie
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/pie.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: PIE
- **ICAO**: KPIE
- **Timezone**: America/New_York
- **Runways**: 3
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Hub for**: Allegiant Air
- **Official site**: https://fly2pie.com

## Overview

## Welcome

St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) offers a unique aviation experience that feels more like stepping into a retro regional airport than a bustling international hub. Its compact design allows passengers to enjoy quick curb-to-gate convenience, notably cherished by locals who prefer to bypass the sprawling layout of nearby Tampa International. As a hub for Allegiant Air, PIE primarily serves travelers heading to Midwest and Rust Belt destinations, providing an efficient, albeit quirky, gateway for leisure travelers.

## At a glance

Located just 14 kilometers (9 miles) north of downtown St. Petersburg, PIE operates a single terminal with 12 gates catering mainly to Allegiant, Sun Country Airlines, and Breeze Airways. The airport has managed to maintain a laid-back atmosphere with fewer amenities, which is part of its charm. Instead of endless shopping and dining options, expect fast access and a stress-free vibe.

## Terminals & layout

PIE’s Main Passenger Terminal is the airport's sole terminal, housing all gates and amenities. With just one terminal overseeing operations, navigating through facilities is straightforward. For aviation enthusiasts, it's a chance to catch rare sightings like C-130s or Coast Guard aircraft amidst the usual crowd of Allegiant A320s.

## Getting to and from the city

Transportation from PIE to nearby destinations is predominantly car-based. Though there are local buses (PSTA Routes 52 and 59, costing $2.25) and the PSTA Route 300X express bus to Tampa ($3.00), many travelers find rideshares and taxis more suitable. An Uber ride costs about $25 and typically takes 5–10 minutes, while Lyft offers similar rates with reports suggesting a base of $18.

## Traveller essentials

Parking at PIE is straightforward, with Long Term Parking priced at $15.00 per day and Economy Parking at $10.00. The Key Lime PIE and Strawberry PIE lots are alternatives for overflow. Realize that amenities like Wi-Fi can be inconsistent, and it’s wise to download any entertainment before arriving.

## Dining & shopping highlights

Dining options at PIE are limited but include local favorites like the 3 Daughters Brewing bar, famous for its selection of local beers such as the Beach Blonde Ale. The Mazzaro Italian Market offers pressed sandwiches and snacks that stand out against typical airport fare. Market 361 is a handy spot for picking up last-minute beach gear.

## Lounges

The airport houses a single USO Lounge, catering primarily to military personnel and their families. As a small hub airport, PIE does not feature multiple or high-end lounge options, a trade-off for its easy accessibility and uncomplicated experience.

## Insider tips

- **Insider:** Check rental car prices at TPA versus PIE, as Allegiant fares may be offset by PIE's higher rental costs according to Reddit users.

- **Time:** Arrive at least 2 hours before morning departures; TSA lines can extend beyond 45 minutes during peak Allegiant flight times.

- **Avoid:** For late flights, bring food with you since dining options shut down around 8-9 pm, leaving vending machines as the only option.

- **Money:** Consider rideshares over local buses; transport discussions note rideshares save time over the cumbersome bus routes.

- **Quiet:** The District Pub offers a low-key spot to relax with a drink and charge devices, avoiding busier areas near Dunkin'.

- **Local:** Enjoy a unique aviation sight; sometimes, a C-130 or Coast Guard aircraft might roll by the gates.

## Terminals (1)

- **Main Passenger Terminal** — 12 gates · Allegiant Air, Sun Country Airlines, Breeze Airways

## Dining (16)

- **3 Daughters Brewing** — Main · Local · Brewery · $$
- **Auntie Anne’s**
- **Chick-fil-A**
- **Dunkin’** — Main · Local · Coffee · $
- **Great American Bagel**
- **Hudson Dunkin’** — Main · Local · Coffee · $
- **Liquid Provisions** — Main · Local · Bar · $$
- **Little Greek Fresh Grill**
- **Market 361** — Main · Local · Snacks · $
- **Mazzaro Italian Market** — Main · Local · Italian · $$
- **Moe’s Southwest Grill**
- **Papa John’s**
- **Quiznos**
- **Sand & Sky Shoppe** — Main · Local · Gifts · $
- **Subway**
- **The District Pub** — Main · Local · Pub · $$

## Lounges (1)

- **USO Lounge** — Military, landside

## Shops (13)

- **3 Daughters Brewing** — Main · Dining
- **Bayfront News** — Main
- **Dunkin’** — Main · Dining
- **Gulf Coast Travelmart** — Main
- **Hudson Dunkin’** — Main · Souvenirs
- **Hudson News** — Main
- **Liquid Provisions** — Main · Dining
- **Market 361** — Main · Souvenirs
- **Mazzaro Italian Market** — Main · Dining
- **Sand & Sky Shoppe** — Main · Souvenirs
- **Suncoast Marketplace** — Main
- **The District Pub** — Main · Dining
- **Tidewater News** — Main

## Parking (13)

- **Cell Phone Waiting Lot** — $0.00/day · adjacent to the air traffic control tower
- **Disabled Veteran Parking** — Short stay
- **Economy Lot (Disabled)** — Remote · $6.00/day, $1.00/hr · 1 mi
- **Economy Parking** — Remote · $10.00 per day/day · 0.3 mi
- **Employee Parking Lot** — Staff
- **Key Lime PIE Lot** — Remote · $10.00 per day/day · across the street from the airport entrance
- **Long Term Parking** — Long stay · $15.00 Daily Maximum/day, $2.00 First Hour, $1.00 each additional 20 minutes/hr · adjacent to terminal
- **Long-Term Parking (Disabled)** — Long stay · $8.00/day, $1.50/hr · 0.5 mi
- **Overflow Parking Lot** — Public · $10.00/day
- **Rental Car Parking** — Rental car center
- **Short Term Parking** — Short stay · $24.00 Daily Maximum/day, $2.00 First Hour, $1.00 each additional 20 minutes/hr · next to terminal
- **Short-Term Parking (Disabled)** — Short stay · $10.00/day, $2.00/hr · next to terminal
- **Strawberry PIE Lot** — Remote · $10.00 per day/day · west of the Terminal

## Ground transport (8)

- **Lyft** — Rideshare · 18
- **Private hotel shuttles** — Hotel shuttle · 10 minutes
- **PSTA Route 300X** — Commuter express bus · About 35–45 min between Gateway/Carillon area and downtown Tampa in the schedule · $3.00 (PSTA commuter express fare, higher than local routes) · Roughly every 30–60 min · weekday peak hours only (no mid‑day, late‑night, or weekend service)
- **PSTA Route 52** — Local bus · About 35–45 min between the PIE area (Roosevelt/49th) and downtown St. Petersburg, excluding the walk to/from the airport · $2.25 · Every 15–30 min · roughly 5 a.m.–midnight daily (15 min on core segments weekdays; 30 min evenings and much of weekends)
- **PSTA Route 59** — Local bus · Roughly 25–40 min between the PIE/49th St area and Largo Transit Center, excluding the walk to/from the airport · $2.25 · Every 20–30 min · roughly 5 a.m.–midnight daily (20 min on core segments weekdays; 30 min evenings and much of weekends)
- **Super Shuttle-style van services** — Shared shuttle
- **Uber** — Rideshare · 5-10 minutes · 25
- **Yellow Cab** — Taxi · 45

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: Check rental car prices at TPA versus PIE, as Allegiant fares may be offset by PIE's higher rental costs according to Reddit users.
- _Time_: Arrive at least 2 hours before morning departures; TSA lines can extend beyond 45 minutes during peak Allegiant flight times.
- _Avoid_: For late flights, bring food with you since dining options shut down around 8-9 pm, leaving vending machines as the only option.
- _Money_: Consider rideshares over local buses; transport discussions note rideshares save time over the cumbersome bus routes.
- _Quiet_: The District Pub offers a low-key spot to relax with a drink and charge devices, avoiding busier areas near Dunkin'.
- _Local_: Enjoy a unique aviation sight; sometimes, a C-130 or Coast Guard aircraft might roll by the gates.