Ever Fly into Tampa?

[ocalla]

We are thinking of flying into Tampa for Mardi Gras holidays, since New Orleans to Orlando is booked up for Southwest, but am curious as to getting from Tampa airport to Universal? Should we rent a car for the trip there, then turn in the car (don't know where the rental companies are located at Universal since this will be our first time) then re-rent a car for the trip back to Tampa?

It sounds so complicated, and I would really appreciate any advice.

 

[patster734]

I-4 connects Tampa to Orlando. On a good day, I believe the drive is around 45 minutes. Bad weather, construction and heavy traffic can double that time. Although you'll have to pay the Universal parking fee, I advise keeping the car for your entire trip. That way, you won't have to worry about dropping the rental car off when arriving at Universal or picking one up on your return trip to Tampa. Keeping the car will also give you the flexibility to visit the nearby outlet centers or dine off-site if you so choose.

From Universal Studios website:

Hertz Rental Car Services
Hertz Desks are located next to Attraction Ticket Center and are open 7 days a week from 8am – 5pm.

To make a reservation please call:
Hard Rock Hotel: 407-503-2156
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: 407-503-1156
Loews Royal Pacific Resort: 407-503-3156
*Based on availablity

http://www.universalorlando.com/hot...ort/hotel-services-information.html#transport

 

[johde]

I've flown into Tampa twice now. This last time, I flew into Tampa and Left from Orlando. If you decide to fly into Tampa you might want to go to Busch Gardens. It is a little bit of Animal Kingdom Meets IOA but with less themeing. The Coasters are as good as Universals. They also have a wide variety of animal exhibits.

 

[patster734]

I've flown into Tampa twice now. This last time, I flew into Tampa and Left from Orlando. If you decide to fly into Tampa you might want to go to Busch Gardens. It is a little bit of Animal Kingdom Meets IOA but with less themeing. The Coasters are as good as Universals. They also have a wide variety of animal exhibits.

A co-worker just got back from Orlando a couple weeks ago and was able to get a 'buy 1 day/get the 2nd day free' ticket to Bush Gardens. He really enjoyed it.

 

[Ishy]

I have flown into/outof Tampa - Orlando many times. We have family there we like to visit on our way to or from Disney/Universal - The airlines and rent-a-car companies are fantastic about flying into one and out of the other. We always rent thrifty. We watch the site constantly and redo our rental - for some reason you can book at 300 for a week, check back 2 times a week and we end up getting the same rental for 100 a week - not sure what the pattern to the madness is.. the price jumps back up and goes back down - we were doing the wild card and getting really nice cars for 113 total per week. I recommend blue chip. no wait.
Thrifty is onsite in tampa - offsite in orlando - I much rather rent in Orlando - I love their shuttle system. We had to walk more in Tampa

 

[taylor1293]

I think you should just keep the car unless you are staying for a long time. Getting from the Tampa airport (we live in Tampa) to Universal is very easy. The drive from the airport to Universal will probably take about 1:15. Ultimately, it depends on how bad the traffic is and how many wrecks there are on I-4.

We are thinking of flying into Tampa for Mardi Gras holidays, since New Orleans to Orlando is booked up for Southwest, but am curious as to getting from Tampa airport to Universal? Should we rent a car for the trip there, then turn in the car (don't know where the rental companies are located at Universal since this will be our first time) then re-rent a car for the trip back to Tampa?

It sounds so complicated, and I would really appreciate any advice.

 

[karatepamy]

driving from tampa is not that bad. i was born and raised in tampa, but currently an orlando resident. i travel back and forth at least once a month to see my family. once you leave tampa airport, you want to go north on I-275, and then merge onto I-4 east. you can not go west on I-4 at this point. when I-4 meets I-275, I-4 ends. it will take you approximately 75-90 minutes. like everyone else has said, it really depends on traffic and weather. there are several exits for universal, it just depends on where you are staying in orlando. exit 74 starts the exits, but exit 75 is a better choice.

i suggest staying in tampa for one night and go to busch gardens. as i said before, i was born in tampa and absolutely love busch gardens. i basically grew up in the park. even as a universal tm, i think that busch gardens has better roller coasters. my absolute favorite is montu. it's their only inverted roller coaster. at one time it was the largest steel inverted roller coaster in the southeast united states. don't know if it holds that title anymore though.

don't get me wrong, i absolutely love the roller coasters provided at universal, i just think that montu beats what we currently have. where are you planning on staying once you arrive in orlando? if you are staying close to universal, the hotel may offer shuttle service. you can always check the local bus routes at www.golynx.com if you decide to not have a rented car the entire time.