The Best Tampa Airport
Transportation Options

You can choose among

1. Renting a car
2. Have someone pick you up
3. Shuttles
4. Taxis
5. Public Transportation

Rental Car

Renting a car is the most common option to get to your destination from the airport. This is according to a survey by the Florida Department of Transportation in December 2005. The convenience is the major reason for this.

Tampa is working to improve its public transit system. However, for now I would suggest having a vehicle if you are here for more than a few days and need to get around town.

The public bus system is pretty, umm, not good with a serious lack of routes with infrequent stops (once an hour or so).

There are 5 car rental companies on site making this one of the most accessible transportation choices. 

There are also 6 additional companies located offsite.

The onsite companies are Avis, Hertz, Dollar, Budget, Enterprise, and Thrifty.

The offsite companies are Alamo, E-Z rent a Car, National, Payless, Specialty Auto Rentals, and U Save Auto Rentals of Florida.

The rental counters are located in the Red and Blue Baggage Claim areas.

Pickup by Friend

The cheapest and most convenient option is a ride from a friend. It is hard to get any cheaper than free, right?

If you are able to have someone pick you up then they should know, if they do not already, that parking for the first hour in the parking garage is free.

I love this perk because it allows them to park and help you with your baggage without having to keep circling the airport until you land or forcing them to pay for parking.

Another convenience is the location of the parking garage which is right above the terminal. This is great because they will not have to walk a great distance with your luggage to the car.

I have been to airports with parking across the street. It was not fun carrying tons of luggage across the street and through the parking garage. So this is a great convenience.

Shuttles

Many hotels near the airport offer complimentary shuttles from the airport to their hotel. A couple of these include the Doubletree Hotel Tampa and the Best Western Westshore.

This is a great option if you are only going to be in a certain area of Tampa for a short period of time.

Some hotels in the area offer pick up from the Tampa airport and transportation also to the abundance of restaurants and shopping in the Westshore/ Airport area.

If you are not staying in a hotel near the airport then there are shuttles that offer transportation to other parts of the area.

Bay Shuttle

(866) 259-9929 or (813) 259-9998

Tampa Bay Shuttle provides service throughout Hillsborough County. The pickup is located at all four ground transportation exits at the four corners of the terminal on the first level. The rates below include up to 3 pieces of luggage.

The rates may change at any time so be sure to call to verify.

Tampa

Downtown/Hotels - $11

Busch Gardens/USF - $24
Port of Tampa - $11
MacDill AFB - $18
Westshore - $11

Hillsborough County

Brandon/Valrico - $24 - $28
Carrollwood - $24
Citrus Park - $24
Lutz/New Tampa $30
Plant City - $33
Riverview - $30
Ruskin/Sun City - $33
Seffner - $24
Town and Country - $18

SuperShuttle

(800) 282-6817 or (727) 572-1111

SuperShuttle gives service to the surrounding counties of Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando. Again, call to verify the rates.

Pinellas

Clearwater - $22
Dunedin - $22
Largo - $22
Oldsmar - $22
Palm Harbor - $22
Safety Harbor - $21
St. Petersburg - $22
Tarpon Springs - $24
All Beach Communities - $24

Pasco / Hernando Counties

Holiday - $26
Hudson - $32
New Port Richey - $28
Spring Hill - $60
Land O' Lakes/Lutz - $50
Wesley Chapel/Zephyrhills - $70

Service to Hotels

Don Cesar - $21
Don Cesar Beach Club - $21
Vinoy - $21
Hilton Bayfront - $21
Tradewinds Island Grand - $21
Hampton Inn & Suites - $21
Sheraton Sand Key - $21
Marriot Sand Key - $21
Clearwater Beach Hilton - $21
All other hotels - $19

Taxis

Taxis are another Tampa airport transportation choice. Taking a taxi is about as common as using shuttles for transportation from the airport but not as common as renting a car.

There are two companies that service the Tampa airport. These companies are Yellow Cab and United Cab.

Taxi service is provided at the Commercial Ground Transportation Quadrants in the same area as the shuttles.

These companies charge the same fares: $2 plus $2 per mile, with a $10 minimum. The maximum to downtown and the cruise terminals is a flat rate of $22.

Below is a list of areas with the approximate mileage from the Tampa International Airport.

St. Pete – 23 miles
St. Pete Beach – 30 miles
Clearwater – 18 miles
Clearwater Beach – 20 miles
Busch Gardens – 13 miles
Disney World – 80 miles
Orlando - 94 miles
Orlando International Airport – 94 miles
USF – 15 miles
Westchase – 9 miles
New Tampa – 23 miles
Brandon – 21 miles
Sarasota – 58 miles
Sun City Center – 38 miles
Tarpon Springs – 22 miles

Contact the companies for more exact quotes.

Yellow Cab - (813) 253-0121
United Cab - (813) 253-2424

Bus Transportation

One of the options for transportation from the airport is public transit. This is typically the least common choice of Tampa airport transportation since it is the least convenient.

This transportation includes Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HARTline as we call it) and Sarasota Sightseeing.

HARTline is served at the East end of the Red Baggage Claim. They can be reached at (813) 254-4278.

Sarasota Sightseeing provides service directly to Sarasota. It drops off at 6227 N. Washington Boulevard.

The telephone number is (800) 326-2800 / (941) 355-8400.

So, these are all of your options for Tampa airport transportation. If you can I would just suggest that you rent a car.

When I rent a car I typically use the same company mainly because of the price and other benefits. Click here to see which one I recommend with more information on car rental…

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