Are car rentals cheaper at Tampa than St. Pete?

[tinkercat]

We got a smokin' airfare deal flying into St. Pete/Clearwater for our next trip, but the rental car prices are sort of insane.

Would it be worth my time to take a taxi over the bridge to the bigger airport in Tampa to pick up the rental car?

We need something that seats 7, and I am hoping to find something under $500 for our trip (7/21-8/1). Am I crazy?

 

[stinkpickle]

We got a smokin' airfare deal flying into St. Pete/Clearwater for our next trip, but the rental car prices are sort of insane.

Would it be worth my time to take a taxi over the bridge to the bigger airport in Tampa to pick up the rental car?

We need something that seats 7, and I am hoping to find something under $500 for our trip (7/21-8/1). Am I crazy?

I would wait until closer to your travel time to check. I book thru Costco and have flown Allegiant into St Pete several times...once during the first week of August, and rental prices dropped way down at Alamo a couple of weeks before we arrived. When a lower rate pops up, I just cancel my old reservation thru Costco and create a new one.

 

[julieanddanny]

We are also flying into St Pete. I was able to get a great deal on a Minivan with Enterprise a whole week for $275. (April 17-24)

Also, if you don't mind shuttling offsite - Dollar will often have City Specials and it's worth it to check that out too.

We almost did what you are suggesting and rent a cheap car for one of us to pick up a van at TPA instead. I would suggest waiting a few more months and checking things again.

 

[dennise]

We got a mini van April 8 at St Pete, dropping at Orlando on April 19, with Enterprise for $166.00 taxes in. That is exactly what we paid for the same time last year.

 

[tinkercat]

Thank you! It is great to hear that there will hopefully be deals right there at St. Pete! I'll keep checking intermittently to see what I can find.