Budget at TPA vs MCO

[LadybugsMum]

I’m saving a nice chunk on our flights in/out by going to Tampa. Are lines to get a car as bad at TPA as they are at MCO? Budget has the best price as they usually do, but I’m more willing to possibly use them at TPA if it’s not the ****show that MCO has. We are arriving around 5pm on a Thursday and will be driving to Universal for a couple of days before spending a week at Disney.

 

[JC1984]

What did you end up saving if you don’t mind me asking? I plan on flying into TPA (wife is from Tampa and spending a few days) and flying out of MCO. But if it much more cheaper I may drive back to Tampa to fly out. SWA hasn’t released my dates yet so have nothing to go on.

 

[LadybugsMum]

About $350 and I'm getting better departure times even counting the drive back to TPA for our return flight.

 

[JC1984]

About $350 and I'm getting better departure times even counting the drive back to TPA for our return flight.

Is this with SWA?

 

[LadybugsMum]

Is this with SWA?

Yes

 

[JC1984]

And to answer your question never had an issue renting a car in Tampa. Always been straight forward.

 

[LadybugsMum]

And to answer your question never had an issue renting a car in Tampa. Always been straight forward.

I did not pay for EBCI as I want to see what boarding group we get and then do the upgrade if it's low. Though, I will switch to Delta if the prices come down; so I can select our seats. I used travel funds for these tickets and don't mind cancelling if I change my mind.

 

[mzozzietj]

I can't recall specifically if we've rented through Budget at TPA but we've definitely rented from a few different companies and the lines have never been as insane as they are at MCO. The drive from TPA to Disney can be brutal at times so be prepared. We made the trip a few times last week and it varied anywhere from 1.5 hours to 3.5 hours. They were doing rolling road closures for road work from 9pm on going west. I think it'll be better going east at that hour once you get out of any TPA traffic though.

 

[AgentMama]

Rental car process has always been a lot easier at TPA than at MCO, agree with previous posters that the traffic can be challenging depending on time of day.