Jacksonville International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

Jacksonville's airport sits to the north, far from both downtown and the beaches: a detail that matters a lot when choosing where to stay. Anyone with a short layover or a dawn flight stays in the airport area, a few minutes from the terminal with a free shuttle. Anyone who needs to work or visit downtown along the St. Johns River drives about twenty-five minutes south; anyone with an appointment at the Mayo Clinic finds hotels right inside the medical campus, another half hour further southeast. Anyone who wants the sea instead chooses Jacksonville Beach, about forty minutes away, with the ocean right outside the window.

Airport area

a few minutes from the terminal, free shuttle; some hotels are less than a kilometre from the arrivals exit

Best for: short layovers, dawn flights or landing in the middle of the night

Pros

Just a few minutes' transfer, free shuttle included
Handy for very early arrivals or departures
Several chains to choose from, prices vary

Cons

An area of interchanges and warehouses, nothing to walk to in the evening
More than twenty minutes from downtown, the beaches and the Mayo Clinic

Recommended hotels in this area

Hyatt Place Jacksonville Airport: Two miles from the terminal, with a free shuttle that also covers other stops within a three-mile radius.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Airport: 200 metres from the main terminal, with one of the area's most convenient free round-trip shuttles.
Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Airport: 3.6 km from the terminal with a free shuttle on a fixed schedule, pool and gym open 24 hours.

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Downtown and Southbank

City centre · about 25 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; JTA bus line 1 links the terminal to downtown but takes 60-75 minutes

Best for: those working downtown or wanting the St. Johns riverfront and the Riverwalk

Pros

On the St. Johns riverfront, walking distance to the Riverwalk and San Marco's venues
Close to the stadium, the arena and the Prime Osborn Convention Center
More restaurant choice than the airport area

Cons

The direct bus from the airport is slow, a car is better
Hotel parking is often paid

Recommended hotels in this area

Marriott Jacksonville Downtown: River views over the St. Johns and a short walk from the stadium and arena, handy for business trips or events downtown.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Jacksonville-Downtown/Southbank: Studios with a kitchen in the San Marco neighbourhood, convenient for multi-night stays near the Riverwalk.

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Mayo Clinic

Neighbourhood · about 30-35 minutes by car from the airport, no direct public transport link

Best for: those with an appointment or treatment at Mayo Clinic Florida

Pros

Less than a kilometre from the hospital, useful for those there for treatment
Free shuttle dedicated to the medical campus
A quiet area, six miles from the beaches

Cons

Far from downtown and the airport, you need a car for everything else
Little to do in the evening outside the medical campus

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Jacksonville at Mayo Clinic near Beaches: Right inside the Mayo Clinic campus, less than a mile from the hospital, designed for those there for an appointment.
Residence Inn by Marriott Jacksonville Mayo Clinic Area: Studios with a kitchen less than a mile from the Mayo Clinic, with a free shuttle every hour from 7 to 17.

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Jacksonville Beach

Nearby town · about 40 minutes by car from the airport, no direct public transport link

Best for: those who want the sea and the beach, not just a technical stop

Pros

Hotels right on the beach, some with ocean views from the room
Jacksonville Beach's pier and restaurants within walking distance
Further from the airport but convenient for those adding a few beach days

Cons

Longer transfer than the other areas
In summer the parking and the beach are more crowded

Recommended hotels in this area

Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach/Oceanfront: On the beach with two outdoor pools, full breakfast and bike rental included.
Courtyard by Marriott Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront: Ocean-front rooms and an outdoor pool, about fifteen minutes from the Mayo Clinic for those combining the two.
Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant: A historic hotel with a rooftop terrace and a seafood restaurant, one minute from the Jacksonville Beach pier.

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