Transportation Guide

Downtown Pensacola

🚌
Downtown Free Trolley
City of Pensacola Service

The City of Pensacola has launched a free trolley service in Downtown Pensacola. You can hop on/hop off anywhere on the circular route, which runs along Palafox Street from Wright Street south to Cedar Street.

Friday

5:00 PM - Midnight

Saturday

5:00 PM - Midnight

Sunday-Thursday

Not Operating

Route: Circular route along Palafox Street from Wright Street south to Cedar Street

Frequency: Every few minutes

Key Stop:
  • FREE Commendencia Street Parking Lot - Park for free and ride the trolley to your destination
💡 Free trolley service is funded by City of Pensacola Parking funds and takes you to great destinations along Palafox every few minutes. Hop on/hop off anywhere along the route!
⛴️
Pensacola Bay City Ferry
Hop-on/Hop-off Service

Experience beautiful views of Pensacola Bay aboard the catamaran-style vessels "Turtle Runner" and "Pelican Perch". Each 149-passenger ferry features air-conditioned interior seating, covered exterior seating, restrooms, and concessions with beer, wine, and soft drinks available for purchase.

March - October

Seasonal Operation

Friday - Sunday

Weekend Service

Service Hours

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Route: Downtown Pensacola → Pensacola Beach → Fort Pickens

Travel Times: 50 minutes between Downtown and Pensacola Beach, 50 minutes from Pensacola Beach to Fort Pickens, 30 minutes from Fort Pickens back to Downtown

Ferry Stops:
  • Downtown Pensacola - 750 S. Commendencia Street
  • Pensacola Beach - 400 Quietwater Beach Rd (Quietwater Boardwalk)
  • Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore
Ticket Pricing (All-Day Pass):
$30
Adults
$24
Seniors/Military/Students
$20
Youth (3-15)
Free
2 & Under
⛴️ One ticket provides all-day hop-on/hop-off access to all three destinations. Features bike racks, storage areas, and on select trips, National Park Service Rangers provide educational talks about local wildlife and landscapes.
🅿️
Downtown Pensacola Parking
City of Pensacola Managed
? Free Perks: First 30 minutes free when you start a paid session • All day Sunday free • Free with valid handicapped placard

? Free Parking Locations

Community Maritime Park

Free

Surface lot (Excluding special events)

Bayfront Parkway

Free

Surface lot

Belmont-DeVilliers

Free

Surface lot

South Palafox Marina

Free

Surface lot (During select hours)

601 Commendencia

Free

Surface lot (Excluding special events)

💳 Paid Parking Options

💰 Special Event Rates

📱 How to Pay

📱 ParkMobile App

Download and pay with your phone

💬 Text to Pay

Text "PARK" to 77223

🏧 Pay Stations

Teal PARKPensacola kiosks

ℹ️ Important: The City of Pensacola manages less than 29% of downtown parking spots. Look for teal PARKPensacola signs for city-managed parking. Private lots have different rates and policies.

🅿️ Understanding Parking Types

🏛️ City-Managed Parking

$1/hour • First 30 min free

Look for teal PARKPensacola signs

Managed by City of Pensacola

Use ParkMobile app or pay stations

🔍 How to Tell the Difference

City: Teal signs with 2-digit zone numbers

Private: Different signage, company logos

Always check signs before parking!

🗺️ Interactive Parking Map

📍 Use the official interactive map to find real-time parking availability, filter by parking type, and get precise locations for all downtown parking options.

🏖️
Pensacola Beach Free Trolley
Santa Rosa Island Authority
🌞 2025 Season: May 23 - September 1 • Memorial Day through Labor Day

Travel "Island Style" on a FREE Beach Trolley! With more than 30 stops across Pensacola Beach, our open-air trolleys make it easy to explore everything the island has to offer without worrying about parking or traffic.

🕐 Daily Hours

4:00 PM - Midnight

Last call at 11:30 PM

📅 Operating Days

Daily during season

Memorial Day - Labor Day

🚌 Fleet Size

3 Open-Air Trolleys

Operating concurrently

🗺️ Three Trolley Routes

🏖️ Eastern Route

From: Casino Beach

To: Portofino Resort

Serves the eastern end of the island

🌅 Western Route

From: Casino Beach

To: Park West

Near Gulf Islands National Seashore entrance

🏪 Commercial Core Route

From: Casino Beach

To: Grand Marlin

Access road stops & Pensacola Beach Boardwalk

🚏 Over 30 Designated Stops

From Park West to Parking Lot 28B, trolleys stop at designated locations marked with ECAT-branded feather flags. Key stops include Quietwater Beach, Pensacola Beach Boardwalk, various hotels, restaurants, and beach access points.

✈️ Special Event Service - Blue Angels Air Show

Extended Hours: Service begins as early as 6:30 AM during Air Show weekend

Additional Buses: Extra buses added to handle increased crowds

Extended Coverage: Service extends to Park East (mile east of Portofino)

Note: Some access road stops temporarily suspended during peak Air Show times

🏝️ Island Transportation: Free trolley service is provided by Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) and operated by Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT). The trolleys help reduce traffic congestion by allowing visitors to park anywhere and tour the entire island conveniently.
⛴️
Pensacola Bay City Ferry - Pensacola Beach
Hop-on/Hop-off Service

Experience beautiful views of Pensacola Bay aboard the catamaran-style vessels "Turtle Runner" and "Pelican Perch". Each 149-passenger ferry features air-conditioned interior seating, covered exterior seating, restrooms, and concessions with beer, wine, and soft drinks available for purchase.

March - October

Seasonal Operation

Friday - Sunday

Weekend Service

Service Hours

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Route: Downtown Pensacola → Pensacola Beach → Fort Pickens

Travel Times: 50 minutes between Downtown and Pensacola Beach, 50 minutes from Pensacola Beach to Fort Pickens, 30 minutes from Fort Pickens back to Downtown

Ferry Stops:
  • Downtown Pensacola - 750 S. Commendencia Street
  • Pensacola Beach - 400 Quietwater Beach Rd (Quietwater Boardwalk)
  • Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore
Ticket Pricing (All-Day Pass):
$30
Adults
$24
Seniors/Military/Students
$20
Youth (3-15)
Free
2 & Under
⛴️ One ticket provides all-day hop-on/hop-off access to all three destinations. Features bike racks, storage areas, and on select trips, National Park Service Rangers provide educational talks about local wildlife and landscapes.
🏖️
Pensacola Beach Parking
Free Beach Access Locations
? Good News: All listed beach parking locations are FREE! Park and enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches of Pensacola Beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore.
🏛️ Gulf Islands National Seashore Locations

Fort Pickens

FREE Parking

1400 Fort Pickens Road

Historic fort with beach access, trails, and ferry connection

⚠️ Park entrance fee required (separate from parking)

Opal Beach

FREE Parking

1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze

Pristine beach area with nature trails

⚠️ Park entrance fee required (separate from parking)

🏖️ Main Beach Access Points

Casino Beach

FREE

20 Casino Beach Blvd

Main beach area with boardwalk and restaurants

Quietwater Beach

FREE

400 Quietwater Beach Rd

Family-friendly bay-side beach, ferry terminal location

🌊 Additional Beach Access Areas
🗺️ Interactive map showing all beach parking locations below. Click on markers for details about each parking area.

Park West Gulf Side

FREE

Fort Pickens Road

Gulf-side parking and beach access

Park West Sound Side

FREE

Fort Pickens Road

Sound-side location with calmer waters

Park East (Beach Access)

FREE

Via De Luna Drive

Eastern beach access point

Dog Parks - Lot B

FREE

Pensacola Beach

Pet-friendly beach area with parking

Beach Access #1

FREE

Via De Luna Drive

Public beach access with parking

Beach Access #2

FREE

Via De Luna Drive

Additional public beach access point

Beach Access #27

FREE

1688 Via de Luna Drive

Designated public beach access with parking

Beach Access #27B, #28B, #29A

FREE

Via de Luna Drive area

Additional numbered beach access points

🏛️ National Park Areas: Fort Pickens and Opal Beach have FREE parking but require park entrance fees (credit cards only). Langdon Beach is part of Fort Pickens area.
⚠️ Peak Season Note: Parking can fill up quickly during summer months, holidays, and special events. Arrive early for the best spots, especially at popular areas like Casino Beach and Fort Pickens.

🚌 Transportation Connections

Ferry Service

Quietwater Beach is the ferry terminal

Connects to Downtown Pensacola and Fort Pickens

Beach Trolley

Seasonal trolley service on Pensacola Beach

Connects major beach areas and attractions

Perdido Key

🌿
Perdido Key Parking
Beach & Nature Access
🌊 Paradise Found: Perdido Key offers some of the most pristine beaches in Florida with various access points from state parks to public beach access areas.
🏞️ State Parks

Big Lagoon State Park

Park Entry Fee Required

12301 Gulf Beach Highway

Nature trails, fishing, kayaking, and pristine beach access

Perdido Key State Park

Park Entry Fee Required

15301 Perdido Key Dr

Undeveloped barrier island with nature trails

Perdido Key State Park - Fire Station Beach Access

Park Entry Fee Required

15301 Perdido Key Dr

Additional access point within the state park

🏛️ Gulf Islands National Seashore

Johnson Beach

Park Entry Fee Required

Johnson Beach Road

Gulf Islands National Seashore location

⚠️ National Seashore entrance fee required

🏖️ Public Beach Access Points
🗺️ Interactive map showing all Perdido Key parking locations. Click on markers for details about each area.

Perdido Key Beach Access #1

FREE

Perdido Key Dr

Public beach access with parking

Perdido Key Beach Access #2

FREE

Perdido Key Dr

Additional public beach access point

Perdido Key Beach Access #3

FREE

Perdido Key Dr

Mid-key beach access location

Perdido Key Beach Access #4

FREE

Perdido Key Dr

Western beach access point

🏞️ State Park Information: Florida State Parks require entrance fees (typically $4-8 per vehicle). Annual passes available. These parks offer restrooms, picnic areas, and nature programs.
🏛️ National Seashore: Johnson Beach is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore and requires entrance fees. Check current rates and pass options before visiting.
⚠️ Seasonal Notes: Perdido Key can get very busy during summer months and spring break. State parks may reach capacity during peak times. Public beach access areas have limited parking.