Getting to a Lightning Game at Benchmark International Arena
Nothing is more exciting than the height of hockey season! Watching skilled players dominate the game as your favorite team takes the dub is always exhilarating. Here on the west coast of Florida, we have our very own Tampa Bay Lightning to light up our own thrills every game. Every Lightning fan owes it to themselves to catch a game at Benchmark International Arena (previously Amalie Arena) to fully feel the incomparable energy of being at a home hockey game. When it comes to getting to and from the game, you should elevate your night out with a premier transportation service fully comparable to our own premier team – that’s where Stephen DiMarco and the Naples 5 Star come into the picture.
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Based in Naples, FL, serving all of Southwest Florida.
Skip parking and traffic stress
One of the biggest hassles in attending any sporting event is trying to manage parking. When you ride with Naples 5 Star, all the stresses of arena parking during a big game are replaced by the relaxation of a professionally chauffeured ride. Cut out the long walk from street parking through dense crowds for an express drop-off right at the front steps of Benchmark!
Enjoy a comfortable, direct ride
No one wants to show up to a big matchup feeling the fatigue of a long car drive. A trip to Benchmark Internatiional through the high-density game day traffic is already a struggle, especially if coming from Naples, which is about a two-hour drive to Tampa. A nice, relaxed ride provided by a professional driver allows you to avoid traffic fatigue and arrive at the game with a full battery, ready to get amped to watch the Lightning dominate the ice!
Ideal for couples, families, groups, and corporate outings
Naples 5 Star is greatly accommodating to a variety of group sizes and travel needs. A couple’s ride means that you and your significant other can relish a private and relaxed ride to put a wonderful start to your night. Families can thrive in a ride where safety and convenience are guaranteed by the quality of ride provided by professional drivers. With large groups, 5 Star offers the coordination of multiple vehicles to ensure timely arrivals. Corporate outings and Naples 5-star go hand in hand, for both exist in the realm of professionalism and class.
Recommended Departure Times from Naples
Arranging a timely departure is crucial to arriving at your game on time. Naples 5-star works to ensure on-time departures and arrivals by accounting for travel time, traffic, and any other extenuating circumstances. Leaving at the right time helps guarantee that you can avoid the worst of traffic and have a smooth and effortless ride.
Weeknight games
Weeknight games are where you’ll find yourself smashed between both post-work travelers and gameday commuters. On these nights, it’s best to try to leave Naples four hours before the puck drop. This gives you a wide enough time window to avoid the biggest rush-hour traffic jams that tend to occur along I-75 near Fort Myers and Tampa.
Weekend games
While weekend games tend to have lighter traffic on the commute to Tampa, you’re more likely to get jammed up in congestion around the arena. Leaving three to three and a half hours before puck drop would be the ideal time to depart. The weekend crowds will be dense downtown, so giving yourself enough time to beat the crowds means more time for you to get to the game and get settled in your seats with some drinks and snacks.
Playoff or high-demand games
The largest crowds you’ll see on gameday are the ones drawn in by playoff or high-demand games. This is when both the arena and downtown will be flush with people, so leaving four to five hours early is your best bet to get through road congestion, enhanced security, and overall arena traffic – vehicular and pedestrian.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Tips at Benchmark International Arena
Getting an efficient drop off and pick up at Benchmark International Arena can make or break the start and end of your night! Benchmark has plenty of designated zones for pick-up and drop-off for your convenience. Depending on the crowd, however, you can arrange with 5-Star for pick up in places where traffic patterns are less dense. Naples 5-Star drivers have a lot of experience navigating high-intensity traffic, leaving you to enjoy a stress-free arrival and departure from the game.
Smoothest drop-off zones
Your most convenient drop-off zones are going to be found along Channelside Drive and the designated event loading zones for gameday. These spots are the best curbside access points that you can get in and out of without getting stuck in heavy pedestrian traffic. Your driver will work to coordinate drop-off times and locations to best cater to your needs. Naples 5-Star drivers are clear communicators who want to wrk with you to deliver the best transportation experience possible.
Post-game pickup strategies
Everyone knows how chaotic it can be to get out of the post-game traffic rush. Luckily, Naples 5-star drivers will help arrange predetermined meeting points in areas that elude the densest of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Depending on whether you want to leave early or stay late, your driver will track the time to best pick you up and save you from the hair-pulling stress of post-game traffic.
Traveling with a large group? Let Us Take You There
Experience seamless, Sprinter Van and Party Bus travel with Naples 5 Star Transportation, your premier choice for luxury group travel across Southwest Florida.
Best Places to Stop Along the Route
As you travel to and from Naples and Tampa, you’ll find plenty of convenient and enjoyable stops along the way. Drivers can customize stops depending on your preferences, such as whether you’re looking to stop for dinner, a quick drink, or simply a leg stretch.
Fort Myers dining and drink spots
Fort Myers is a great place to stop for dinner and drinks, with premier restaurants such as Sip & Sizzle and The Firestone Sky bar & Martini Bar, you can break up the journey into an enjoyable pitstop along the way where your drive becomes less a lengthy commute and more a lavish outing.
Punta Gorda waterfront stops
Punta Gorda offers beautiful waterfront vistas perfect for a breather during your drive to Tampa. With waterfront views being all walkable in Punta Gorda, you can enjoy a leg stretch amidst the backdrop of the transfixing ocean views. Stopping in Punta Gorda is right along the way too, making it both efficient and enjoyable.
Quick stretch and snack breaks
Plenty of rest areas and convenience stops like gas stations dot the drive over to Tampa Bay. This is best for those with a strict timetable who want a quick refresh along the way to the big game. If you’re traveling in a big group this is especially good to keep everyone recharged and comfortable.
Our Fleet
Naples 5 Star is home to a diverse fleet of vehicles that provide comfort, safety, and sleekness. 5 Star’s entire fleet is kept maintained and clean so that every ride is the most comfortable and relaxing as possible. Options range from luxury sedans to spacious SUVs. Every vehicle is driven by a professional and experienced driver who excels in delivering the best chauffeured experience possible.
Meet Our Fleet
All vehicles include leather interiors, climate control, refreshments, and optional Wi-Fi and charging ports.
Premium Sedans
(1–3 passengers)
Luxury SUVs
(1–5 passengers)
Executive Vans
(6–12 passengers)
Sprinter Limos
(6–12 passengers)
Mini Coach Buses
(20-30 passengers)
Full Coach Buses
(upto 56 passengers)
Final Thoughts: Make Game Day Travel Effortless
Enjoying a Lightning Game shouldn’t be marred by the stresses of traffic. Stephen DiMarco and the Naples 5 Star team make all the worry about coordinating, making the drive to the game, parking, and the departure all the more pleasant. Trusting Naples 5 Star Transportation to make your gameday experience all the more better is the best way to ensure the best night possible.
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