Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

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 5 days in order to fully appreciate everything Lakeland has to offer.

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Where to Eat in Lakeland

If you’re looking for affordable options, Texas Cattle Company-Lakeland, FL (735 E Main St) and Terrace Grille (329 E Main Street) are great picks.

When to visit Lakeland

Lakeland in July
Estimated hotel price
$106
1 night at 3-star hotel
Lakeland in July
Estimated hotel price
$106
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

When flying to Lakeland, you’ll arrive at Lakeland Linder Intl (LAL), which is located 5 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Lakeland departs from New Haven and takes around 2h 53m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Lakeland, followed by Amtrak. The train journey from Lakeland to Jacksonville takes 3h 15m and costs around $35 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay about $36 for a 4h 32m trip. 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 Advantage and America Car Rental, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

Lakeland’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Lakeland, you’ll arrive at Lakeland Linder Intl (LAL), which is located 5 miles from the city center. The shortest domestic flight to Lakeland departs from New Haven and takes around 2h 53m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Lakeland, followed by Amtrak. The train journey from Lakeland to Jacksonville takes 3h 15m and costs around $35 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay about $36 for a 4h 32m trip. 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 Advantage and America Car Rental, among others, in Orlando.

Bus

Lakeland’s bus station is located 3 miles from the city center.

Airports near Lakeland

SRQSarasota Bradenton Intl
TPATampa
ORLOrlando All airports

Airlines serving Lakeland

KLM
Good (1,411 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,576 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,008 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,528 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,047 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,788 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,014 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,020 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,664 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,414 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,493 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,459 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (873 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,305 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,582 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,060 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,314 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,134 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,404 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Lakeland

Where to stay in Lakeland

Average rates range from around $132 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $83 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland North - I-4 By IHG and Travelodge by Wyndham Lakeland. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Lakeland, with prices from $49 to $320 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Lakeland are about 48% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Lakeland by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Lakeland

Most booked hotels in Lakeland

See all
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland
3 stars
Good (7.9, 1143 reviews)
$74+
View
Hyatt Place Lakeland Center
3 stars
Good (7.9, 1096 reviews)
$105+
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland West
3 stars
Good (6.5, 1528 reviews)
$56+
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Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lakeland
2 stars
Good (6.1, 1519 reviews)
$57+
View
Motel 6 Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (5.3, 1076 reviews)
$57+
View
Stayable Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (4.4, 418 reviews)
$63+
View

Renting a car in Lakeland

Renting a car in Lakeland costs $51 per day, on average, or $254 if you want to rent if for 5 days. Avis, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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, 34% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.41 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 $40.88 and $54.51. Compact (Toyota Corolla or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Lakeland, while also 50% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Lakeland costs $51 per day, on average, or $254 if you want to rent if for 5 days. Avis, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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, 34% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.41 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 $40.88 and $54.51. Compact (Toyota Corolla or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Lakeland, while also 50% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Lakeland

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$33/day

Economy

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$34/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Lakeland