Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the busiest airport on Florida's Gulf Coast, serving more than 23 million passengers each year. But despite being so busy, it's highly regarded for its efficiency and an easy-to-navigate layout, both externally in terms of drop-off/pick-up and internally through its main terminal and four concourses. It's one of my favorite major airports purely because it's so convenient.
Tampa's flights are typically domestic, but there are a handful of short-haul international flights across North America and the Caribbean, as well as a few long-haul ones to Europe including nonstops to London Heathrow, London Gatwick and a seasonal Amsterdam service.
Getting to and from TPA
Tampa is very much a driving city, so many travelers opt to rent a car. The Rental Car Center is connected via the free SkyConnect people mover, which also serves Economy Parking.
Taxis are available curbside outside of baggage claim at Ground Transportation Areas Red 1 and Blue 2. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft can be picked up at the Red Express Curbside, Blue Express Curbside, or SkyCenter One remote curbside (a $5 airport fee applies). The airport is also serviced by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus systems, both of which have stops at the Rental Car Center.
For pickup or dropoff at Tampa, you’ll use either the Red or Blue side depending on which airline you’re flying. Both sides enter into the Main Terminal, so if you accidentally pick the wrong side, don’t worry. You can just walk across the building to the correct one.
Pro tip: Both the Blue and Red sides now have Express Curbsides for passengers with electronic boarding passes and no checked bags. The Blue Express lanes have been around for a while, but the Red Express Curbsides opened recently, making things even smoother.
These Express options let you bypass the Ticketing/Baggage Claim levels entirely. That said, the road system here is so well-designed, there’s hardly ever terrible traffic at the airport.
The best way to get between TPA and Downtown Tampa
Downtown Tampa, including the Port of Tampa cruise terminal, is only about a 15-minute drive from the airport in light traffic. Taxis charge a flat rate of $35 to Downtown Tampa or the cruise terminal, while rideshares are subject to surge pricing. Rideshares can be cheaper than a taxi, but if there’s a surge, you’re probably best off taking a taxi.
The more budget-friendly options are the HART bus (approximately 40-60 minutes depending on route and time of day) and the PSTA bus (about 25 minutes).
The best way to get between TPA and Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is a 20-mile drive west from Tampa, which takes about 30 minutes without traffic but can stretch to two hours if there is traffic. Taxis and rideshares will make the journey, but metered rates and surge pricing can add up quickly. There are also third-party shuttle companies that offer transfers to Clearwater for a flat rate.
The best way to get between TPA and St. Petersburg
St. Pete is a 20-mile drive southwest from Tampa and also takes about 30 minutes without traffic. A convenient transfer is via taxi or rideshare, but it can be expensive. Another solid option is a third-party shuttle company. Public buses are the most budget-friendly choice, but PSTA Route 300X (Airport Express) connects TPA to the Ulmerton Park N Ride in Largo, where you’ll need to transfer to other PSTA routes to reach St. Petersburg. The total journey typically exceeds two hours.
Navigating TPA’s terminals and concourses
The Main Terminal is where you’ll find the departures and arrivals hall (check-in desks and baggage claim), plus a landside shopping and dining area and an in-terminal airport hotel. This area is open to the public, so it’s a great spot to wait with family and friends before your flight.
Tampa uses a hub-and-spoke layout, with the Main Terminal as the hub connecting to four satellite airsides.
From there, four satellite airsides (A, C, E and F) are connected to the Main Terminal by separate shuttles (people movers). You’ll need to scan your boarding pass at the electronic gates to get on, and once you arrive at the airside, you’ll find TSA security. Each airside has its own restaurants, shops and in some cases, lounges.
Keep in mind that the four airsides are not connected airside, so you can’t easily wander between them. While TPA offers an “All Access” program, it’s designed for non-travelers who want to visit the airport and requires advance registration.
If you’re a ticketed passenger wanting to explore another airside during a layover, you’ll need to return to the Main Terminal and go through security again at your desired airside. Just be aware that you’ll have to go through security every time you change airsides, so budget your time accordingly.
Security and wait times at TPA
Security lines at Tampa are typically not very long at all. The TSA security checkpoints are split between the four airsides, so crowds are largely dispersed. Still, you might want to use TSA PreCheck if they’re longer than expected (all four security checkpoints have PreCheck lanes). Note that Tampa doesn't have CLEAR kiosks, though.
Note that Tampa doesn’t have CLEAR kiosks, though.
Alternative airports near Tampa
TPA is such an easy airport, you might not want to consider other options. That said, there are several airports in the vicinity you might want to check if your final destination is just outside the Greater Tampa Bay area, or if you’re hunting for cheaper flights. Just be sure to factor in the price of ground transportation.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is located about halfway between St. Pete and Clearwater, making it pretty much just as convenient as Tampa. Because it’s so tiny, there’s hardly ever a long wait here.
The catch is that only Allegiant serves PIE, so you’re limited to the airline’s destinations. On the plus side, there are more than 60 nonstop routes out of PIE. And since Allegiant is a budget airline, you might score cheap airfare.
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
SRQ is the best airport for those traveling south of Tampa, as it’s located about 50 miles from the metro area. Like PIE, it has far less air traffic than Tampa. Eleven airlines fly here, including Air Canada, Allegiant, American, Avelo, Breeze Airways, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United, serving 53 nonstop destinations including Toronto and Montreal.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
If Tampa doesn’t have a nonstop flight for you, you could fly into or out of Orlando, which is about 92 miles away. If you choose this route, I’d recommend renting a car, as a taxi or rideshare will be very expensive. And generally speaking, because MCO is so congested, I’d prefer flying via Tampa with a layover than taking a nonstop from Orlando.
Making the most of layovers at TPA
TPA isn’t a major layover airport, but some travelers might find themselves here for a few hours. Because the airport is so efficient and security lines are short, it’s fairly easy to exit the airport during a long layover. At the very least, you can visit the landside Main Terminal for more dining and shopping.
Less than four hours
If your layover is shorter than four hours, it’s best to stay at the airport. While you can’t easily visit other airsides (TPA’s All Access program is for non-travelers with advance registration, not ticketed passengers), you can take the shuttle back to the Main Terminal, where you’ll find additional restaurants and shops. Just leave time to re-enter security!
More than four hours
If you have a longer layover, you have time to leave the airport. Within a short drive are the waterfront Cypress Point Park and two shopping malls, WestShore Plaza and International Plaza. A quick drive gets you to Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring home of the New York Yankees.
If you want to go downtown, it’s about 9 miles from the airport. I recommend visiting Sparkman Wharf, a waterfront area with local eateries and a beer garden, or Ybor City, home to the Tampa Baseball Museum, The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts and amazing Cuban food (try Columbia Restaurant, which also has an outpost at the airport).
And if you just want to relax, you can book a day room at the in-terminal Tampa Airport Marriott, which has a heated outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Even if you don’t book a room, you can visit the Skyye Bar & Grill at the hotel for great runway views.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
