Hints and Tips for Tampa Airport

[Wobbles]

We have just secured an amazing price for direct flights to Tampa, but we've never flown into there before.

We've worked out the journey is only about 20 minutes longer to where we stay (that's without traffic delays which can easily double the journey from MCO) so happy from that point of view.

But we've never been to Tampa Int Airport and would love any hints and tips which you have.

[NewtoOrlando]

We flew into Tampa in October for the first time, it’s a small airport which is really easy to get around & out of. Immigration was about half an hour, and we cleared immigration at 4.40 and pulled away from the garage at 5.15. We pulled into All Star Sports at 6.45, this was a Sunday afternoon and traffic was very stop start as we approached Orlando, would have been quicker otherwise! We flew home from Miami. Would happily fly into there again, flying into MCO and out of Miami this year..

[Eccle]

It’s a nice airport, we much prefer it to MCO and the drive is really easy. We have flown there twice. There is a monorail shuttle thing to the main building, and a longer monorail train to the car rental (which is quite a ride in itself!)

Coming back, plan where to fill your car up as it wasn’t as obvious to find a filling station as we had found it for MCO. There is also a mall very close if you want food before going to the airport

[fizzypop]

We love Tampa, such an easy airport. My tip would be to get to the airport a little earlier on your return if you have an Avis car and if you are returning your car full of fuel then your receipt should be $0. Give yourself time to sort out your bill if they try and charge you for fuel at the airport where you can prove you have returned your car with a full tank.

[COL41]

We are flying into TPA for the first time and home from MCO as saved us a few hundred pounds with BA. Nice to read such positive comments. We have signed up to Avis preferred and it’s our second time of hiring with them, does anyone know if we’re more likely to get any upgrades?

[boltyboy]

As everyone has said Tampa is a great airport, much easier to navigate than Orlando. Last year we landed, through immigration, collected luggage and in the car within an hour. I assume you will be hiring a car which is a monorail ride from the main terminal, first ride of the trip 😂. Journey time to Disney area is about 60-90 mins depending on traffic and weather its a weekend or week day.

[Eccle]

Just a warning that immigration isn’t always quick, it was on our first visit there, last august it took over an hour.

It can also take quite a while to check in coming home as they don’t have many staff checking in, and even if you check in online there was no separate bag drop queue.

But we still like it and would choose it again

[lme30005]

Immigration only took about 10 minutes when we landed Xmas Eve but we then had a bit of a wait for bags. Took about 1h20 from landing to driving out - we had a few car issues with Avis but wasn't too bad.

Coming home, the airport was very quiet, quite nice experience. There's not much to eat at the gates so we ate before we went through security - there's a Hard Rock, Wendys, and other eateries.

[returnplanning]

Piggybacking on this thread...we are arriving into Tampa, and driving for our first night at the All-Star Music resort before moving to Animal Kingdom Lodge. We were considering grabbing some food on the way, as there is only a microwave+ fridge in the family suites. Does anyone who drives from Tampa know which supermarket would be easiest to get to? I can see a Publix at Champion's gate, just off the I4, or can anyone recommend a supermarket that is more en-route between Tampa and ASM (happy to go to one nearer Tampa)?

[NewtoOrlando]

Originally Posted by returnplanning

Piggybacking on this thread...we are arriving into Tampa, and driving for our first night at the All-Star Music resort before moving to Animal Kingdom Lodge. We were considering grabbing some food on the way, as there is only a microwave+ fridge in the family suites. Does anyone who drives from Tampa know which supermarket would be easiest to get to? I can see a Publix at Champion's gate, just off the I4, or can anyone recommend a supermarket that is more en-route between Tampa and ASM (happy to go to one nearer Tampa)?

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We did this in October and there is a McDonald’s across the road from All Star Sports, we didn’t stop as we’re tired and just wanted some pool time & a quick bite to eat so was perfect for us.