Flight leaves Tampa at 11:55 - what time to leave Orlando?

[connorlevismom]

We found a flight out of Tampa that we just cannot pass up the price. If the flight leaves Tampa at 11:55, what time should I leave Orlando. I was thinking 8. Is that enough time? I would much rather be early than stress out.

 

[nacho113]

If you are leaving from WDW you will need a good solid 90 minutes to drive to TPA. 8:00am would be a pretty reasonable start time, will give you time to drop off the rental and find your check-in counter.
9:00 would be the absolute latest that I would leave, just in case.

 

[dancin Disney style]

If it were me, I would leave no later than 8am. I much prefer to be early than stressed about making it on time.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

8:00 would be good. This way if there are any accidents or traffic tie ups on the highway you have time to deal with it. We always fly in/out of TPA and would rather have extra at the airport than feel stessed about getting there on time. ON a good day it takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to TPA.

 

[goofy4tink]

The day of the week would make a difference to me!! We actually left Tampa very early on Easter morning a few years ago and made it to MK in about 55 mins....but that was with us leaving by 7:30am, and there was no traffic at all.
If you are leaving on a weekday??? You are going to have a lot of company on the road. For an 11:55 flight, you want to be at the airport by 10ish...and you need to return your car which is going to add a few minutes.
So, figure on leaving Orlando by 8 as everyone has said. It is 'usually' a 70-80 min ride, depending on traffic. Getting there early is sooooo much better than sitting on the highway, in a traffic jam, stressing!!!!!

 

[connorlevismom]

Thanks for all the advice. We will plan on leaving no later than 8am. Is there a place at the airport to catch some breakfast or early lunch before we get on the plane if we end up being really early?

 

[nacho113]

Thanks for all the advice. We will plan on leaving no later than 8am. Is there a place at the airport to catch some breakfast or early lunch before we get on the plane if we end up being really early?

The usual fast food fare on the airport, Quizno's, Starbucks, Burger King, Pizza Hut Express as well as some sit down places.
Check http://www.tampaairport.com/shops/index.asp to see what is available in the part of the terminal and airside you will be leaving from

If You arrive really early, there are many restaurants within a couple of miles of the airport, both fast food and full service. We usually stop at Pollo Tropical or Chick-Fil-A when we fly into TPA because we don't have these where we live (and love both of these for a quick bite after a long flight).