Tampa Airport Information
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Located six miles west of the central business district of Tampa, the Tampa International Airport ranks 27th among North American airports and saw nearly 19 million passengers in 2006. The 3,300-acre airport has 59 active gates and over one million square feet of airside terminals. The airport traces its history back to the Drew Field Municipal airport, a general aviation facility, which was leased to the U.S. government for 25 years. The airport was given its current name in 1952, and in 1971, the $85 million new terminal complex opened. Resembling a spoked wheel, the first-of-its-kind in design, the new complex consists of separate airside terminals attached to one central landside building. Tampa International was also the first to use fully automatic people movers, which connect the terminals to the central building.
Voted the best airport in the U.S. and the 3rd best in the world in 2003 by Traveler magazine, in addition to number 1 for quality out of all major U.S. airports according to a 2007 Zagat global airlines survey, passengers flying through Tampa International are sure to enjoy the stop. A public art program established in 1998 enhances the traveling experience. Permanent exhibits include Art of the 60s and 70s, a collection of restored murals from Tampa’s Peter O. Knight Airport, and 63 copper, nickel, silver and bronze bird sculptures.
Tampa International Airport has approximately 20,000 parking spaces and offers free shuttle service from the economy garage. A monorail, the world’s first to be operated completely by computers, also connects to the short- term parking. A Marriott Hotel attached to the airport has 295 guest rooms.
Airline carriers serving Tampa International Airport
- Air Canada
- AirTran Airways
- America West Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cape Air
- Cayman Airways
- Continental Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Frontier Airlines
- Gulfstream International Airlines
- Jet Blue Airways
- Midwest Airlines
- Northwest Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Ted Airlines
- United Airlines
- US Airways
- US Airways Express
- WestJet
Tampa Train Information
Tampa Union Station
Tampa Union Station was built in 1912 and reopened in 1998 after $2.5 million spent in purchase and renovations. The station, which saw nearly 80,000 passengers in 2007, serves the Palmetto and Silver Service AMTRAK trains, traveling between New York city
New York, Georgia and Florida. The station is open daily from 8:15 am to 6:15 pm.
Tampa Public Transportation
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Bus Line
With ridership reaching 1.07 million in 2007, the HART line is one of the most popular and convenient ways to travel around Tampa. Buses travel 33 local routes and 16 express routes to various locations around urban parts of Hillsborough County. One-way cash fares are $1.50 for local routes and $2.50 for express routes. Fare cards are available in one-day unlimited passes on local and limited express routes for $3.25, in three-day unlimited rides visitor passes for $9.75, and 20-ride passes on local and limited express routes for $30.
In-Town Trolley
Also operated by HART, the In-Town Trolley is a pleasant way to see and travel the city’s most popular spots. Trolleys operate on a purple and a green line. The purple line travels from Marion Transit Center to Southern Transporation Plaza/Harbour Island, making stops that include Tampa City Hall, the Tampa Convention Center, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Tampa Theatre. The green line travels from the Performing Arts Center to the Channel District, making stops that include the Florida Aquarium and Garrison seaport. Purple line trolleys run every 10 minutes Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Green line trolleys run Friday through Saturday from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am. In-town trolley fares are the same as the HART bus line fares.
TECO Line Streetcar system
The first electronic streetcar lines in Tampa were built in 1892, and now electric streetcars are back, providing a unique and scenic way to travel in the city. A 2.4-mile route with 10 stops travels throughout downtown, Channelside and Ybor City. The TECO line is expected to add a 1/3-mile extension running north on Franklin Street that will connect 35,000 people to every major downtown parking facility.
The streetcar system runs three vehicles: the air-conditioned standard car, the open-air Breezer car and the Birney car, a fully-restored streetcar from the original Tampa line. The Birney car is available for special event rentals.
Streetcars run every 15 to 20 minutes Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thursday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday from noon to 8:00 pm. Streetcars run every 30 minutes Friday and Saturday from 1:00 am to 2:00 am and Saturday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. One-way cash fares are $2. Fare cards are available in a one-day unlimited ride fare card for $4 and a three-day unlimited ride fare card for $9.75. Exact change is required.
Taxis
Several taxi companies serve the Tampa area, including Yellow Cab, United Cab and A-1 Taxi. Travelers must call taxis to schedule or request a pick-up, except at the airport, where they can be found at the baggage claim area, or at special events. Taxi pick-up areas are also located in Ybor City near Centro Ybor. Sample taxi rates at Yellow Cab are $2 for the first 1/2 mile plus $0.45 for each additional 1/2 mile.
Rental Cars
Several rental car services are available to travelers in Tampa. Avis, Budget, Dollar Car Rental, Hertz, Enterprise and Thrifty Rental Cars all have rental counters at the Tampa International Airport in the baggage claim area. Alamo, E-Z Rent A Car, National, Payless, Specialty Auto Rentals and U Save Auto Rental of Florida are located off the airport.
Approximate Taxi Fares from Tampa International Airport
- Downtown
- $22
Distance to...
- Orlando, FL
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- West Palm Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Tallahassee, FL
- Key West, FL
- Miami, FL
- 97 miles
- 121 miles
- 162 miles
- 168 miles
- 188 miles
- 203 miles
- 240 miles
- 280 miles
