A car is useful in Sarasota, particularly for reaching the beaches. Downtown itself is walkable, and the area around Main Street and Palm Avenue can be covered on foot comfortably. A free trolley runs between downtown and St. Armands Circle on Lido Key during the winter season.
Siesta Key has a free beach shuttle from the mainland during busy periods. The Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) bus system covers the main routes, including out to Siesta Key, but schedules are infrequent enough that renting a bike or using a rideshare app is often easier for getting to the beach. Bike rentals are available on Siesta Key and at several spots downtown.