RSW serves a wide area of Southwest Florida, so your cost depends heavily on where you are going. Fort Myers is close; Naples and the islands are not. Here is a clear breakdown.
To Downtown Fort Myers (20 km, 20–30 min)
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): USD 20–35. Taxi: USD 30–45 metered. Private transfer: USD 45–65. LeeTran bus Route 50: USD 1.50. This is the shortest and cheapest trip from RSW. Rideshare is the best value for most travelers. The bus is functional but slow and infrequent.
To Cape Coral (30 km, 25–35 min)
Rideshare: USD 30–45. Taxi: USD 40–55. Private transfer: USD 55–80. Cape Coral is just across the Caloosahatchee River from Fort Myers. The ride is straightforward via Veterans Memorial Parkway or I-75 to Cape Coral Bridge.
To Fort Myers Beach (25 km, 25–35 min)
Rideshare: USD 25–40. Taxi: USD 35–50. Private transfer: USD 50–75. The drive to Fort Myers Beach goes through Summerlin Road and across the Matanzas Pass Bridge. During winter season, the approach to the beach can be congested.
To Sanibel and Captiva Islands (40 km, 30–40 min)
Rideshare: USD 45–65. Taxi: USD 55–80. Private transfer: USD 65–95. All prices are plus the Sanibel Causeway toll of USD 6 per vehicle. The causeway toll is a flat fee and applies to every vehicle crossing to the island. Sanibel is a popular family destination, and during peak season the causeway itself can have a backup.
To Naples (50 km, 35–45 min)
Rideshare: USD 50–80. Taxi: USD 70–100. Private transfer: USD 80–120. Shared shuttle: USD 30–50 per person. Naples is the longest common trip from RSW. The drive is almost entirely on I-75, which is fast outside of peak hours but can slow significantly during winter afternoons.
To Marco Island (75 km, 50–65 min)
Rideshare: USD 70–100. Taxi: USD 90–130. Private transfer: USD 100–150. This is the most distant major destination served by RSW. The long ride means taxi meters climb high. Fixed-price transfers or rideshare tend to offer better value.
Seasonal Price Swings
Southwest Florida has a pronounced winter high season from January through March. During this period, rideshare demand outstrips supply, and surge pricing of 1.5x to 2.5x is common — especially on Friday and Saturday afternoons when seasonal visitors arrive. If you are flying in during peak season, a fixed-price transfer protects you from surge pricing. Summer and fall prices are consistently lower.
Tolls and Extras
The Sanibel Causeway toll (USD 6) is added to your fare regardless of transport mode. There are no other tolls on the standard routes from RSW. Tipping rideshare and taxi drivers 15–20% is customary in the US. Private transfer tips are appreciated but not always expected.