Car Hire in Tampa - Getting to Tampa
Tampa International Airport is one of the most modern airports in the US, servicing 270 daily non-stop arrivals from 58 domestic destinations and 36 weekly non-stop arrivals from seven major international destinations.
The airport is just 11kms west of downtown Tampa, and a shuttle service is available to take passengers to hotels throughout the Tampa Bay area; fares range from US$9 to US$27, depending on where you are headed. Plenty of taxis also wait at the airport, with a ride downtown costing about US$15. Bus number 30 is the cheapest option to the city. St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport also has limited scheduled services.
Several major interstate and state highways converge on Tampa, making for easy access by car from anywhere in Florida. Interstate 4 and Highway 60 bring travellers from points east, including Plant City, Lakeland and Orlando. Interstate 75 and Highway 301 accommodate those travelling from points north and south, including Gainesville, Ocala, Bradenton and Sarasota.
Amtrak offers nationwide rail connections with a daily north-south service connecting Tampa with Washington DC and Orlando. Other destinations include New York, major Canadian cities, and New Orleans through to Los Angeles on the Sunset Limited.
Bus is a cheap way of getting around Florida, with Greyhound operating services to Sarasota, Orlando, Miami and Gainesville, among others. There are also services to major cities farther afield.
The city's coastal location and history as a major port means that it is a major stop for Caribbean cruises. Ferries also service local routes.
