Ocala is a quintessential Florida city. Gently rolling hills, streets lined with trees decked with Spanish moss, and a rich equestrian history all make this city special. But how do you get to Ocala? Does Ocala have an airport?
Does Ocala have an airport? Yes, you’ll find the Ocala International Airport (OCF) just west of town. The airport has two runways and a new terminal building which was built in 2020. As of right now, you can’t catch a commercial flight from the Ocala airport, but corporate, private, and other jets and planes frequently land and take off here.
Learn more about the Ocala airport, who uses it, getting to Ocala, and more.
Where is the Airport in Ocala?
Ocala International Airport is located west of downtown Ocala in Marion County, Florida. Its address is 1770 SW 60th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474. It is a few miles north of State Road 200, also known as SW College Road, which is a major thoroughfare through Ocala. The airport is a 10-minute drive from Golden Ocala.
You’ll find that Ocala airport is also located near the Ocala Breeders Sale facility. This might be strategic, as local rumor has it that more equine passengers use the Ocala International Airport than human passengers!
Can You Fly Out of the Ocala Airport?
As of right now, only corporate, private, and other planes and jets fly in and out of the Ocala airport. No commercial airlines service Ocala, but this might change soon.
According to news reports from earlier this year, the Ocala/Marion Chamber-Economic Partnership plans to make sure Ocala International Airport serves the community with commercial passenger flights within the next 5 years.
The prospect of commercial flights coming in and out of Ocala is very exciting for local residents. This holds especially true for many long-time Ocala residents, who might remember when the airport once offered commercial flights. The last commercial flight left the Ocala Internation Airport in 1987. Back then, the Ocala airport offered daily flights to other Florida cities including Jacksonville, Gainesville, Vero Beach, Orlando, and Miami.
How Big is Ocala International Airport?
The Ocala International Airport takes up 1,532 acres. It was two runways. The airport also has a terminal, which was recently remodeled and is now home to some useful amenities for both travelers and the Ocala community.
What Amenities are the Ocala Airport?
The Ocala International Airport is home to a surprising number of amenities for an airport rumored to serve more horses than people.
Elevation 89 Restaurant opened shortly after the new terminal and has quickly become a community favorite. The restaurant’s name comes from the fact that the airport sits at 89 feet above sea level. Of course, the restaurant has an aviation theme, even down to some items on the menu. For example, the Mile High Club puts a fun twist on a traditional club sandwich.
Ocala International Airport is also home to two rental car companies, Avis Car Rental and Enterprise Car Rental. Both companies serve both travelers and the rest of the Ocala community.
Other businesses operating from the Ocala International Airport include Epic Flight Academy, Ocala Aviation, and Sheltair Aviation.
What Airport Do You Fly Into for Ocala, FL?
So, if you can’t catch a commercial passenger flight into the Ocala International Airport, how do you get to Ocala?
There are a few nearby airports that visitors and locals alike use to get to and from Ocala. Popular options include Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Tampa International Airport (TPA), and Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB).
Let’s look at how you can get to and from Ocala with these nearby airports.
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)
Gainesville and Ocala are practically sister cities. It’s a short 45-minute drive (or less) to Gainesville from most parts of Ocala and there are many exciting things to do in both cities. Gainesville is home to the University of Florida and offers the amenities and activities of a Southern college town.
Gainesville is also home to the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV). The airport in Gainesville serves many major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, KMR, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Air France, and others.
Gainesville Regional Airport is located approximately 42 miles from downtown Ocala.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando is a major destination for tourists, so it totally makes sense that there’s a major airport in The City Beautiful. You’ll find all kinds of world-class attractions in Orlando, from theme parks and resorts to award-winning museums to professional sports teams and concert venues. Simply put, people come and go from Orlando 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 6 miles from Downtown Orlando and approximately 90 miles from Ocala. The airport in Orlando is a hub and operating base for many major commercial airlines, including Silver Airways, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Many other major airlines also service the airport. With such diverse service options, it’s always easy to catch a flight to MCO.
The busiest routes from the Orlando airport include flights heading to Atlanta, Newark, Philadelphia, San Juan, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Detroit.
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Travelers coming to and from Ocala have another option for commercial flights. Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 100 miles from Ocala down I-75. You can be at the Tampa airport about 90 minutes after leaving Ocala.
Tampa International Airport is also a major airport. It spans more than 3,000 acres and has approximately 60 gates. The Tampa airport serves 93 direct destinations and is serviced by a wide range of regional, national, and international airlines. United Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and many others all make it easy to get practically anywhere from this airport.
The busiest routes from the Tampa airport include Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Newark, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Finally, those coming to and from Ocala have a fourth option. Orlando-Sanford International Airport is about 80 miles from Ocala in the lakeside city of Sanford, Florida. This airport offers commercial passenger service from a variety of airlines, too.
Budget-minded travelers often choose to fly in and out of Orlando-Sanford International Airport. This airport is serviced by 3 airlines. You can fly within the U.S. from Orlando-Sanford on Allegiant Airlines, to Canada on Flair Airlines, and to Spain with World2Fly.
Top destinations from the Orlando-Sanford airport include Allentown, Asheville, Knoxville, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, Harrisburg, and Indianapolis.
If you don’t mind driving a little further, you might consider using the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) or the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) when traveling to or from Ocala. Both of these airports are approximately 115 miles from Ocala. Both of these airports are served by a wide variety of airlines, both domestic and international.
Getting to Ocala will be much easier when Ocala International Airport starts offering its own commercial passenger flights. Until then, those going to and from Ocala will rely on air travel from Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa, Sanford, St. Petersburg, or Jacksonville.
Other Ways to Get to Ocala
Ocala is located right off I-75, a major north-south highway that connects the country from the Great Lakes to the southernmost tip of Florida. The proximity to I-75 makes it easy to get to Ocala by other modes of transportation.
Driving to Ocala
Getting to Ocala is as easy as a drive down I-75 for most of the eastern half of the country. This highway passes through 6 states: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
Taking a Bus to Ocala
Ocala has a bus station on Silver Springs Boulevard. Three bus lines serve Ocala: Tornado Bus, FlixBus, and El Expresso Bus.
Getting to Ocala by Rail
If you’re interested in a unique travel experience, consider taking a train to Ocala. There is a small Amtrack station in Ocala. While the station doesn’t have a ticketing window, you can purchase a ticket online and use the station on Northeast 1st Avenue.
Come Home to Golden Ocala
There are many ways to get to Ocala. Does Ocala have an airport? There is an airport in Ocala, but you might need to catch a flight to a nearby airport to get hear easily.
Now that you know more about how to get to Ocala, consider calling Brick City Home. Golden Ocala offers everything you need to enjoy the best of this equestrian paradise. Golden Ocala Real Estate ranges from luxury villas to estates perfect for a family.
Golden Ocala Real Estate makes living the good life easy. Your agent can help you find the perfect home right here in Ocala. This community of luxury homes exemplifies the best of Ocala and promises a quality of life you won’t find anywhere else.