DTX → SRQ
Sarasota
White-sand Gulf beaches, the Ringling, and St. Armands Circle.
- Flight
- ~2h 35m nonstop, 2x weekly on Avelo
- Best time
- February–April for warm, dry beach days; December–January is mild but too cool for most to swim
- Weather
- Subtropical
Photo: Cullen Morgan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Overview
Sarasota is the Gulf Coast trip for people who want a beach and a museum in the same day: Siesta Key's quartz-white sand, the Ringling's art museum and bayfront mansion, and shopping and dinner at St. Armands Circle. Avelo flies nonstop from DTX twice weekly (Wed, Sat) starting December 16, 2026, so trips run Wednesday to Saturday or Saturday to Wednesday.
Photo: Fred Hsu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Things to do
- Siesta Key Beach
- The Ringling (Museum of Art and Ca' d'Zan mansion)
- St. Armands Circle and Lido Key
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- Myakka River State Park
Family-friendly activities
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
- Siesta Key's shallow, gentle surf
- The Ringling's Circus Museum
- Kayaking Lido Key's mangrove tunnels
Business travel
- SRQ sits on the Sarasota–Manatee county line, about 15 minutes north of downtown Sarasota by car.
- Downtown Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch are the main business hubs; Tampa is about an hour north.
- Winter is peak season, so book hotels early for any January–April trip.
Hotel recommendations
Rental car pickup
Weather
Subtropical; winter highs in the low-to-mid 70s°F, hot humid summers, hurricane season June–November.
What to pack
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- A light layer for cool winter evenings
- Water shoes for shelling
- Portable phone charger
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
When do flights from McKinney to Sarasota start?
December 16, 2026. Avelo flies the route twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). Avelo announced it on October 15, 2026.
How long is the flight from McKinney to Sarasota?
About two and a half hours nonstop, based on comparable North Texas–Sarasota flights.
How long a trip does the Sarasota schedule allow?
Wednesday to Saturday (three nights) or Saturday to Wednesday (four nights), or a full week or more. With two flights a week there's no shorter option.
Is there still a $69 fare to Sarasota?
No. Avelo's introductory $69 one-way fares were for travel January 7–31, 2027 and had to be booked by October 22, 2026; that offer has ended. Check aveloair.com for current fares and terms.
Related content
Destinations
Routes
Stay in the loop
Get notified about route announcements, airport updates, and deal alerts.