South Padre Island Transportation

Planning a trip to paradise on South Padre Island! We are here to help with all your South Padre Island transportation needs on how to get to and from the nearby airports, using the local transportation and shuttle services and the fun recreational transportation rentals available to you on the Island.

The Brownsville / South Padre Island Airport offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport, see the schedule here. It is about an hour’s trip using the free shuttle from the Brownsville airport to South Padre Island.

Brownsville/SPI International Airport

  • Local: (956) 542-4373
  • Airlines Continental: (800) 525-0280

There are no shuttle services from the Valley International Airport at this time. Guests can call or get a local taxi directly at the airport. Uber and Lyft operate as alternatives as well.  See the list of taxi services below.

Harlingen/Valley International Airport

  • Local: 956) 430-8600
  • Continental / Delta Airlines: (800) 525-0280
  • Southwest Airlines: (800) 292-5175 TX (800) 531-5600 US

The McAllen International Airport is approximately 90 minutes from South Padre Island. Taxi services from McAllen are your best option. View Taxi services available to you at the bottom of this page.

McAllen International Airport

  • Local: (956) 682-9101
  • American Airlines: (800) 433-7300
  • Allegiant Air: (702) 505-8888
  • Continental: (800) 525-0280

The Island Metro

South Padre Island is less than half a mile wide and the populated areas cover less than 5 miles. You will be able to walk to many activities and adventures along the island. To assist you in experiencing adventures further along the Island, the City of South Padre Island offers convenient free South Padre Island transportation on the city shuttle, The Island Metro, formerly known as The Wave. The Island Metro offers different routes, one goes up and down South Padre Island and another route crosses the Queen Isabella Causeway to Port Isabel. Be sure to pay attention to the bus routes so you arrive at the right destination. See routes and schedules here or call (956) 761-8178. To inquire about ADA paratransit services, call Public Works at (965) 761-1025.

Each Island Metro shuttle offers complimentary WIFI, is equipped with a bicycle rack and are ADA accessible with a wheelchair lift. You will find Island Metro shuttle stops at many hotels, restaurants, beach assesses and popular spots along the Island and Port Isabel. However, if you need a ride and the Island Metro shuttle is headed your way, cautiously approach the street and wave the shuttle down.

bus route descriptions

The Island Metro’s “Port Isabel” and “Laguna Heights” routes cross over the Queen Isabella Causeway to Port Isabel to a variety of shopping centers including HEB grocery store and Walmart. The farthest destination point is Las Palmas Shopping Center where connections can be made to communities all over the Rio Grande Valley through Metro Connect transit partners. See routes and schedules below or visit Metro Connect. Additionally, the Island Metro now offers an app that reflects the accurate bus times, in real-time. Use our resources as an estimate, but for real-time updates make sure you download the app.

schedule and route maps for Island Metro

Remember Padre Island Rentals is here to assist you with any need you may have, we operate a 24-hour front desk, (800) 926-6926. Should you have issues on one of your beach strolls or taxi nights out and lose keys, we are here to help. There will be a fee for a new key, of course, so be careful.

Local Transportation Serving South Padre Island

South Padre Island Surf Shuttle

  • Hours: By Appointment
  • (956) 443-1406

*To and from Harlingen, Brownsville/SPI airports, Taxi service, and SpaceX Tours – Website
Travel South Padre Island in comfort and style!

SPI Fun Rental & Island Surf Rental

  • 1314 Padre Blvd South Padre Island, TX 78597
  • Hours: Sun-Sat 9 am-10 pm
  • (956) 761-9999

*Golf cart, Jeep, ATV, Scoot coupe, Segway & Bicycle Rentals

A Taxi

  • 826 S Garcia St Port Isabel, TX 78578
  • (956)-943-4848

A Cab

  • 1515 Padre Blvd South Padre Island, TX 78597
  • (956)761-2222

Airport Taxi

  • 108 E Pike St South Padre Island, TX 78597
  • (956) 761-1040

BB’s Taxis

  • 104 E Ling St South Padre Island, TX 78597
  • (956)-761-1111

JJ’s Taxi

  • 108 E Pike St South Padre Island, TX 78597
  • (956) 761-9292

Padre Cab Co.

  • 114 W Pompano St South Padre Island, TX 78597
  • (956) 761-2525

All Valley Limo

  • (956) 630-5466
  • (866) 851-2345 (Toll-Free)
  • Website

National Chains Serving South Padre Island

Dollar Rent-A-Car

  • 500 Amelia Earhart Drive Brownville, TX 78521
  • Hours: Sat 8 am – 9 pm
  • Sun-Fri 8 am – 11 pm
  • (866) 434-2226
  • Website

Budget

  • 700 S Minnesota Ave Brownsville, TX 78520
  • Hours: Sun 10 am – 6:30 pm
  • Mon-Fri 8:30am – 8:30pm
  • Sat 10 am – 6:30 pm
  • (956) 546-5119
  • Website

National Car Rental

  • S Padre Brownsville Airport (BRO) 700 Amelia Earhart Drive Brownsville, TX 78521
  • Hours: Sat 9 am – 8 pm
  • Sun 9 am – 11:59 pm
  • Mon-Fri 8:30am – 11:59pm
  • (956) 550-0354
  • Website

National Car Rental

  • Harlingen Intl Airport (HRL) 3030 Airport Dr Harlingen, TX 78550
  • Hours: Sat 9 am – 9 pm
  • Sun 9am – 11:59 pm
  • M-F 7:30 am – 11:59 pm
  • (844) 855-7195
  • Website

Avis Rent-A-Car

  • 500 Padre Blvd, Isla Grand Resort South Padre Island, TX 78597
  • Hours: M-F 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • (956) 761-3183
  • Website