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 4 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, Nineteen61 (1212 South Florida Avenue) and Texas Cattle Company-Lakeland, FL (735 E Main St) 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 Washington, D.C. and takes around 2h 18m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Lakeland, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Lakeland to West Palm Beach takes 5h 59m and costs around $24 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay about $24 for a 6h 51m 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 Rent-A-Wreck and Advantage, 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 Washington, D.C. and takes around 2h 18m.

Train

Amtrak is the most popular train carrier serving Lakeland, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Lakeland to West Palm Beach takes 5h 59m and costs around $24 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay about $24 for a 6h 51m 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 Rent-A-Wreck and Advantage, 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

Lufthansa
Good (7,409 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,385 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,361 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,960 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,731 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,968 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,929 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,937 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,469 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,334 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,624 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (850 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,139 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,484 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,114 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,250 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (359 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,883 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,323 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (993 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Lakeland

Where to stay in Lakeland

Average rates range from around $144 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $79 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 Hampton Inn & Suites Lakeland-South Polk Parkway. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Lakeland, with prices from $47 to $1,242 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Lakeland are about 28% 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
Hyatt Place Lakeland Center
3 stars
Excellent (8, 1082 reviews)
$104+
View
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland
3 stars
Good (7.9, 1135 reviews)
$68+
View
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Lakeland West
3 stars
Good (6, 1494 reviews)
$63+
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Howard Johnson by Wyndham Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (5.9, 1512 reviews)
$57+
View
Motel 6 Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (5.1, 1061 reviews)
$59+
View
Stayable Lakeland
2 stars
Okay (4.3, 416 reviews)
$47+
View

Renting a car in Lakeland

Renting a car in Lakeland costs $48 per day, on average, or $191 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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, 27% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.52 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 $42.25 and $56.33. The most frequently booked car type in Lakeland is Compact (Jeep Compass or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 56% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Lakeland costs $48 per day, on average, or $191 if you want to rent if for 4 days. Avis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car 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, 27% more expensive than at Orlando.

Expect to pay $3.52 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 $42.25 and $56.33. The most frequently booked car type in Lakeland is Compact (Jeep Compass or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 56% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Lakeland

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$21/day

Economy

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$31/day

Intermediate
Find car rentals in Lakeland

Lakeland Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Lakeland city guide for the best Lakeland travel tips. To help you organize your Lakeland trip ideas, this Lakeland visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.