Lakeland travel guide

Lakeland Tourism | Lakeland Guide

You're Going to Love Lakeland

With a population of 97,422, Lakeland is a must-see destination in Florida, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Lakeland has to offer.

Where to Eat in Lakeland

If you’re looking for affordable options, Nineteen61 (1212 South Florida Avenue) and Texas Cattle Company-Lakeland, FL (735 E Main St) are great picks.

Most popular restaurants in Lakeland

Steakhouse
Very good (505 reviews)
Unspecified
Very good (132 reviews)
French
Wonderful (100 reviews)
Steakhouse
Very good (505 reviews)
Unspecified
Very good (132 reviews)
French
Wonderful (100 reviews)

When to visit Lakeland

Lakeland in December
Estimated hotel price
$117
1 night at 3-star hotel
Lakeland in December
Estimated hotel price
$117
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Lakeland in July, when the average temperature is 82.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 89.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 50 °F, with an average temperature of 60.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in August, when precipitation is around 8.5″. In contrast, November is usually the driest month of the year in Lakeland, with an average rainfall of 2.3″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Lakeland

Plane

Although Lakeland doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Tampa Airport (TPA), which is located 36 miles from Lakeland. Sarasota Bradenton Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, United Airlines, Emirates and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Lakeland departs from Islip and takes around 2h 58m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Lakeland, followed by Brightline. The train station in Lakeland is called Lakeland, and is located 0.4 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Lakeland is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 49 miles from Lakeland. You’ll find branches of Fox and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Lakeland, including Jet Set Express, RedCoach and FlixBus. From Tampa, the bus ride to Lakeland takes 115 miles and will cost you around $13. From Lake Worth, the ticket costs about $47 for a journey of 175 miles. Lakeland’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Lakeland doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Tampa Airport (TPA), which is located 36 miles from Lakeland. Sarasota Bradenton Intl is the most popular, with regular flights from Air Canada, United Airlines, Emirates and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Lakeland departs from Islip and takes around 2h 58m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Lakeland, followed by Brightline. The train station in Lakeland is called Lakeland, and is located 0.4 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Lakeland is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 49 miles from Lakeland. You’ll find branches of Fox and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Lakeland, including Jet Set Express, RedCoach and FlixBus. From Tampa, the bus ride to Lakeland takes 115 miles and will cost you around $13. From Lake Worth, the ticket costs about $47 for a journey of 175 miles. Lakeland’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

Airports near Lakeland

Airlines serving Lakeland

Lufthansa
Good (4,597 reviews)
KLM
Good (849 reviews)
SWISS
Good (923 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,436 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,596 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,275 reviews)
Air France
Good (969 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,551 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (478 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,922 reviews)
Emirates
Good (2,125 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,700 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (226 reviews)
Finnair
Good (876 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (834 reviews)
LOT
Good (680 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,163 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (909 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Lakeland

Average rates range from around $179 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $81 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Lakeland

Most booked hotels in Lakeland

Hyatt Place Lakeland Center
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 834 reviews)
$142+
Travelodge by Wyndham Lakeland
2 stars
Excellent (8, 1633 reviews)
$92+
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland
3 stars
Good (7.6, 980 reviews)
$77+
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (5.6, 940 reviews)
$57+
Stayable Suites Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (4.6, 218 reviews)
$70+
Baymont Inn and Suites Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (4.1, 766 reviews)
$54+

Renting a car in Lakeland

Renting a car in Lakeland costs $49 per day, on average, or $197 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Budget, Avis and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Lakeland is the Hertz branch at 117 E Memorial Blvd, which is 1 mile from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 23% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Lakeland (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Lakeland is Full-size (Chevrolet Tahoe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Juke or similar) are, on average, 63% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Lakeland costs $49 per day, on average, or $197 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Budget, Avis and Hertz are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Lakeland is the Hertz branch at 117 E Memorial Blvd, which is 1 mile from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 23% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Lakeland (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Lakeland is Full-size (Chevrolet Tahoe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Nissan Juke or similar) are, on average, 63% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.