Car Hire Ft Myers

As you’d expect from a State that attracts millions of visitors annually, Florida has an extensive road network that takes in huge freeways and smaller, more picturesque routes. That’s also true of Fort Myers.

Speed limits will be clearly signposted, and you’ll be driving on the right side of the road, unlike in the UK. Seat belts are mandatory, as are child seats for those under four.

No additional driving permits are required, just your native country’s driving licence. Much of the USA is built for cars, so accessing the centre of Fort Myers and finding ample parking isn’t difficult.

From Fort Myers, you can hop on the I-75 – AKA the Alligator Alley – to drive south to Naples, although Highway 41 is a more scenic drive between the two places. The I-75 continues east to Miami, but please be aware that a few small sections are toll roads.

The same I-75 leaves Fort Myers to the north and is your fastest way to Tampa, Gainesville and then into Georgia and beyond. Again, H41 also snakes north, if you want more scenery and places to stop en route.

If you plan on combining some time by the beach with the wonderful theme parks of Orlando, you’re only a three hour drive or so away. Head north on the US 17 and, when you reach the I-4, head east. There are some tolls on this route.

If your heart is set on the Florida Keys, again you’ll be taking the I-75 south and then east to Miami, before joining the US-1 south. If you leave early in the morning, you’ll be kicking back on the beach at Key West by noon.

You may just be here for a week on the beach, dipping your toes in the sea occasionally, or you may want to get out and see what Fort Myers and Florida have to offer. Either way, you’ll find this a laid back and charming area that has something for both culture vultures and sun seekers.

Winter Wonderlands

With sunshine all year round, it’s hardly surprising that many of America’s rich and famous winter here in Fort Myers. Two legends of industry, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, bought two properties adjacent to each other, such was their friendship, and these estates are now open to the public.

Edison’s house dates from 1886, while Ford moved into his in 1916 and one of the highlights of a visit is the botanical garden. Boasting over a thousand varieties of plants, it includes the first Banyan tree ever planted in the US.

With a research laboratory, museum and guided tours available, it’s a great glimpse into these two titans of American history, and how they lived.

Get your body to the beach

The beaches in Fort Myers will not disappoint – and there’s a rich choice of them too. Fort Myers Beach has the soft, golden sand of your dreams and also attracts water sports enthusiasts with its excellent kayaking and parasailing. It’s easy to find places to stay and eat right on the long beach, or you can hop on a waverunner to watch dolphins or join a fishing boat.

The beautiful islands of Sanibel and Captiva, just off the coast, are popular with shell collectors, and you’ll come across some gorgeous examples as you let the sand squidge through your toes.

Freshwater Florida

If you fancy a more active trip to Fort Myers, there’s lots to get involved with. The Babcock and Webb Wildlife Management Area, to the north, is a nature preserve that is remarkably unspoilt. There’s great places to go mountain biking and bird spotting here.

To the south of Fort Myers is Pine Island Sound and Aquatic Preserve. This protected shoreline is dotted with mangroves and home to pelicans, egrets and herons. Charlotte Harbor also has a state park with 100 miles of protected shoreline, peppered with marshes and pine flatwoods. You can follow trails to enjoy the wildlife or take to the waterways in a canoe or kayak.

All aboard

If you fancy something completely different, park up your hire car and take the train – the murder mystery dinner train that is. On this 3 ½ hour train ride, that crosses the Caloosahatchee, you’ll enjoy a five course meal while watching a live murder mystery show played out. Tuck into Super Sleuth Salmon or Who Dunnit? Prime Rib as you try to be the on-board Sherlock who cracks the crime and wins a prize.

Hiring a car in Fort Myers opens up this wonderful part of the south-west Florida to you, and also means you can explore the rest of this sun-kissed state in comfort.