Getting from Port Canaveral to Tampa

[disneypoor]

We just booked a 3 night cruise on the wonder in September. We were lucky enough to get 8 roundtrip tickets for free when we sailed in March because our flight was overbooked. However, in order to use all of them and get on the same flight, we have to fly from Kansas City to Orlando when heading for the cruise. After the cruise, we have to leave from Tampa and fly back to KC. Is it easy to get to Tampa from Port Canaveral? About how far is it? TIA!

 

[CM_Mom]

According to Mapquest it's 135 miles from Cape Canaveral to Tampa International Airport. Estimated time is 2 hours 13 minutes. Major highway and pretty much a straight shot so no problem. Florida doesn't have a "drop off" fee on rental cars so you just rent at the port and head over. I would allow be sure to plan my flight for later in the day to allow for "stuff".

I've actually suggested to DS that he check Tampa out since the "cheapest" fares from DFW to Orlando for the cruise they are joining us on are all gone. $115 each for two people and rent a car is still cheaper than $235 each for two people and they're planning on spending a couple of days at WDW so he was planning on getting a car anyway.

I think you'll be fine. A car rental will be MUCH cheaper than having to pay for the airfare. Congrats. Glad you were compensated for inconvenience.

 

[zack&alexmom]

We did this on our last cruise and will be going to Venice, FL after this next cruise. I is really easy to do - just mapquest. I think it took around 2 hours, just plan extra if you run into traffic.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I know I could look this up somehow - but do you go back via Orlando and down the I4 to get to Tampa or is there a better way to go?

(We are joining the cruise from Orlando and were thinking of leaving some of our luggage at our friends hotel and collecting it from them on our way down to Tampa/Clearwater - but if we don't need to go via Orlando we might be better off leaving our luggage in the trunk of the car and just driving straight to the Gulf Coast??!! )

We'll have 2 small (impatient!!) children with us - so the shorter the journey the better!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You go via Orlando....the only other option is perhaps 192 or SR 60 (very very long detour)...by the time you get down to 192, you might has well have just gone via Orlando--this is how we go anytime we travel to Tampa to visit hubby's family....

Option A

Take 528 (beachline) west....to 417. I believe you head south on 417 (it might be west..in case--you'll be taking the exit after the first tollbooth--exit is on your right...once on the exit, take the left lane towards Disney.
Take 417 until it ends at I-4 and head west on I-4.....then reference mapquest for precise directions to the airport in Tampa.


Option B Take 528 (beachline) west until it ends at I-4. Then head west on I-4 (towards Disney)...then reference mapquest for precise directions to the airport in Tampa.

Both routes are easy--we find 417 less stressful in terms of traffic. Sometimes you will hit a traffic jam where 417 meets I-4...that may stress you a bit...but remember, you would have been in that jam even if you took 528 all the way to I-4. I kind of feel special...b/c the way 417 connects to I-4..you pass a bunch of motorists until the exit ramp joins into I-4.


Safe Journey!!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

brilliant - thanks ever so much for that!!!

 

[disneypoor]

Thanks for all of the info everyone! We rented a car, and the total cost for it is $110, so it beats DCL transfers by a long shot. We're picking our car up at MCO, dropping it off at Port Canaveral, picking it back up at Port Canaveral, and then dropping it off at the Tampa airport. It sounds like it's pretty easy to get to the airport in Tampa, and our flight doesn't leave until almost 8:00 in the evening, so we should be fine. In fact, we were thinking we might check out some stuff before we head to the airport (Ron Jon's, etc.). Thanks again for the help. I'll mapquest it before we leave so we'll have precise directions.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Thanks for all of the info everyone! We rented a car, and the total cost for it is $110, so it beats DCL transfers by a long shot. We're picking our car up at MCO, dropping it off at Port Canaveral, picking it back up at Port Canaveral, and then dropping it off at the Tampa airport. It sounds like it's pretty easy to get to the airport in Tampa, and our flight doesn't leave until almost 8:00 in the evening, so we should be fine. In fact, we were thinking we might check out some stuff before we head to the airport (Ron Jon's, etc.). Thanks again for the help. I'll mapquest it before we leave so we'll have precise directions.

Hi - Yes I can confirm that Tampa airport is easy to get to and very well signposted - We're from the UK so have to contend with driving on the wrong side of the road!!! as well as different road signs etc - so if we thought its a good airport to get to - I'm sure you will find it easy too!!

 

[disneypoor]

Thanks, Amy! I'm glad it's easy to get to! I have to navigate while DH drives, so the easier the better!

 

[princess22]

Option A

Take 528 (beachline) west....to 417. I believe you head south on 417 (it might be west..in case--you'll be taking the exit after the first tollbooth--exit is on your right...once on the exit, take the left lane towards Disney.
Take 417 until it ends at I-4 and head west on I-4.....then reference mapquest for precise directions to the airport in Tampa.



Both routes are easy--we find 417 less stressful in terms of traffic. Sometimes you will hit a traffic jam where 417 meets I-4...that may stress you a bit...but remember, you would have been in that jam even if you took 528 all the way to I-4. I kind of feel special...b/c the way 417 connects to I-4..you pass a bunch of motorists until the exit ramp joins into I-4.


Safe Journey!!

I think the traffic has cleared up a lot at the merge of 417 onto I4 because they have finished the construction and the three lanes are open. I drive that way home from work, and havent' seen traffic in a long time! Just a heads up though, the 417 is more expensive in tolls! So have lots of change available if you chose this route.