Flying into Tampa??

[debster]

Has anyone flown into Tampa the day before the cruise?

Airfare right now into Tampa for our October trip is $166 RT and for Orlando it's $320!!!

I am ready to jump on this because with the way airfare has been who knows if Orlando will go down.

Any advice??

 

[amy2girls]

On Dave's Disney Site Its Says Tampa Is 2 1/2 Hrs Away From The Port, Not To Bad. $170 Is A Good Deal. You Would Also Have To Rent A Car. Good Luck

 

[mmouse37]

It is about 2-2.5 (we have always made it in around 2) hours from Tampa airport to cruise terminal. We have done it several times and the ride is not bad at all (except at rush hour on I-4).

I say go for it...you could drive to the port after you land and stay in a hotel near the port so you don't have to worry about being rushed or late on the day of the cruise.

MJ

 

[debster]

Thanks for your quick replies.

We do plan on renting a car so it will make it much easier.

 

[PrincessesAlissa]

Hi-

I live in Tampa, the drive directly from the airport is 2-2 1/2 hours. Currently there is some construction being done from Tampa to about Lakeland which is the first part of your drive (I-4). I have been told by Disney, it should only take about 45 mins to a hr to get to port from the Disney/Orlando area on a Sunday.


On a normal weekend from TPA, it takes us about an hr and 10 mintues with no traffic to get to Disney area. (Straight Shot)

For the $$ its worth it. Just a word of advise, make sure not to leave TPA to late.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email me!

 

[TheWog]

Currently there is some construction being done QUOTE]

Don't you mean always??????

 

[jrabbit]

Tampa is a nice airport. Not as "crazy" as Orlando. Go for it. If you arrive a day early, stay in the area and go out to Clearwater before sunset. It's a neat place. They have a pier there. Before sunset vendors come out and set up shop and entertainment comes out and preforms. Not as crazy as Key West, but it's very nice.

BTW - The day we went, a pod of dolphins came in and swam by my entire family.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We flew into Tampa for our cruise in 2003. It is a smaller airport, but it was very easy to get around. The rates for one way car rentals were the same from Tampa to the port as Orlando's rates. The drive wasn't that bad, we stopped for lunch on the way back to the airport from the ship.

 

[notbernie]

We are also flying into Tampa. My sister lives in Gulfport and we are spending a week+ with her after our cruise. I love Tampa airport so I never considered Orlando. Southwest has cheap straight through flights so it works out well. We are renting a car and staying at the Raddison over night. I'm sure our two young daughters will get a kick out of the pool. The cruise is a surprise so they don't have a clue.

 

[mmouse37]

Tampa is a nice airport. Not as "crazy" as Orlando. Go for it. If you arrive a day early, stay in the area and go out to Clearwater before sunset. It's a neat place. They have a pier there. Before sunset vendors come out and set up shop and entertainment comes out and preforms. Not as crazy as Key West, but it's very nice.

BTW - The day we went, a pod of dolphins came in and swam by my entire family.

I agree with jrabbit.....Clearwater Beach at sunset is a site to behold....I think it surpasses the Key West sunsets everyone talks about!!! My aunt lives in Clearwater and we are there several times a year....just love it there!!! We saw a juggler set himself on fire at the pier last time...good thing his assistant was ready with the fire extinguisher!!!

MJ

 

[madisonsmom]

Construction is a pain in the "you know where" on I-4. We just returned 2/14/05 from driving from WDW area to Largo(clearwater/indian rocks beach area) and it took us almost 2 hours each way! Unbelievable to me as it is only around 50/60 miles, something like that. So plan on extra drive time with a little added patience! An alternative(don't know if it is worth it) is to take the Amtrak train(bypass traffic) from TPA to Orlando and then drive from Orlando(45 minutes) to Port. Might be more trouble than its worth? Never tried it so don't know. But an alternative.

 

[kg66]

Re: Tampa's price being so low compared to Orlando...We are looking in to booking a Cruise next year that docks in Miami, and theTA said that Tampa is the cheapest city to fly into in Florida, just thought you might like to know!