Gatwick to Tampa...any advice ?

[mike230652]

As the header suggests we're flying to Tampa from gatwick.

The website for Tampa airport is a bit bland and no real info............

Has anyone flown this route? If so, any info/advice would be great.

Thanks

mike230652

 

[Bug Juice II]

What info you looking for ?

Tampa is one of the best and easiest airports in the US I think.

C

 

[mike230652]

Bug Juice II

Any info!!

How big is Tampa airport, is it aimed at tourists ...?
Which car rentals companies operate......are they on or off site.
Easy airport to use or not?

............Just that the website is as dry as sticks!!



mike230652

 

[Bug Juice II]

Tampa is pretty big but not used buy internationals a lot.

I think BA arrive in the 'E zone' (Check as it might have changed). On arrival there is a long walk to Immigration. It should be a small wait as few others. When you come out note if you are in 'Blue1 or 2' or 'Red 1 or 2'. That is the 4 corners of the airport. When you leave go back the same way. (If not don't worry as all meet up, just walk further)

All major car hire co.s there, plus a pick up and dail free phone to nearby hotels in baggage claim. Car co.s have shuttle busses, if you call them they will ask where you are waiting Blue 1/2 etc.

Airport is on 3 levels - Departures / Arrivals / Cars / Taxi's etc. (I think) Watch the escalators, some go 1 level other 2 levels. But it is easy

Depart. reversal of above really. BA departs from a gate at the very end of the pier so it is a bit of a walk. Any duty free purchases are handed to you as you board, not collected when you pay. BA's flights have BA staff there so very good, queue's can get long but the process quickly, opens about 4hrs before departure.

Very spacious airport. About 12 / 15 shops, nothing great but covers everything. Great hotel if you want a good meal before going, if not several other eating places, TGIF, McD's, Seafood.

Airport is just off I4 so easy to get to Orlando (1 1/2 - 2 hours) plus Brandon mall close by and Busch Gardens.


Please PM me for further details

C

 

[vernon]

I've flown into Tampa and thought it was one of the easier US hubs to go through, it's a reasonable sixed airport, but doesn't get much international travel. Immigration was comparatively painless as was customs. It's fairly well covered by the car hire companies and it's a pretty easy drive to Orlando.

 

[mike230652]

Bug JuiceII,

Thanks , that info was 300% more than I got out of the Tampa Airport site!! I think Vernon's comment that it's not quite geared up to international flights is exactly right.

Vernon,

Thank you. We're stopping in the St.Pete's / Clearwater are for the first week, but it's good to know it's an easy road back from Orlando for the return journey.

Are the car rental companies on site ? It sounds like they might not be, if not how far/long to them.......just so know how much time to allow on the way back , although with a 7.35 p.m. flight back to the UK we have plenty of time!!

mike230652

 

[GO2209]

My last trip into Tamp was with Delta (so I cleared immigration in Atlanta).

I was through the airport, collected car and at the condo in just over an hour. It is a good functional airport, but not as 'tourist' friendly as MCO.

Car hire - I have used Avis, Dollar and Hertz, all on-airport. I think Budget are on-airport too. I know Alamo is off-site.

If coming back from Orlando, I'd allow 3 hours for the drive. It should only take 90 minutes, but I would stop off (Cracker-Barrel?) for dinner. Don't expect much by way of good/cheap food at the airport.

Also, I once got stuck on the I4 in a big jam after a spectacular accident - so allow a bit of extra time.

 

[mike230652]

GO2209..

............those are the words I wanted to hear !! " Avis, Dollar and Hertz are on-site"......!!

I'll pay heed to your comment about allowing 3 hours for the return!! Last time we went to Orlando in 2001 we did IOA and left for Sanford with 2 hours to go...........got stuck in every jam known to man!! We'd have just made it in time anyway, but a 3 hour delay meant they hadn't opened check-in anyway.

I'll be a little less of a smartie pants in future!

mike230652

 

[MalcolmC]

I had some villa guests arrive through Tampa last year. They cleared immigration at Chicago and got up to our place on US 27 (12 mins from WDW) in about 70 minutes from the airport. They had a car from Dollar - no problems there. They thought it was a very straightforward drive (their first time in USA).

So I think you should be ok.

 

[MoreThanVillas]

Have flown Gatwick to Tampa with BA loads of times.

It is a lot less hassel than flying into Orlando International.
I always manage to clear imigration very quickly.

I have found that Dollar Rent A Car are one of the best car rental companies at the airport!

Best of luck

Del & Bec Malam