Help with Tampa airport

[LBKB]

Can anyone please tell me what they think of the airport in Tampa FL. We would like to visit Disney but will also be going to Naples as we have a place there to stay. Is it easy or will I have a little trouble. I don't fly a lot and will be going with our 2 boys but without my husband (can't get off from work). Ant help is GREATLY APPRECIATED

 

[mommyx2]

I flew into Tampa in April by myself and had no problems at all finding my way around. You should be fine.

We're headed back in two and a half weeks!

 

[ducklite]

It's easy. Keep in mind that there's a lot of construction on I-4, and it could take two horus from TPA to WDW.

Anne

 

[drgnfly30]

Been there a few times.. both alone & with my family... no problems at all! The last time we flew in at night so I-4 construction wasn't an issue.. on the return though it did take us about 1hr 45 min to get back to Tampa... Nothing I'm not used to on my local I-95 though!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

We've flown into Tampa several times and it's a very nice, easy airport to get around. The drive to WDW usually takes us an hour. Last time on the way back, it did take probably 90 minutes, because of traffic/construction and it was 5 pm! (But nothing like 5 pm trying to go north out of Boston!!)

 

[LBKB]

Thank You Thank You Had no idea about construction. We are going in mid Oct. and over Christmas and New Years I'm assuming this construction will still be going on? Thanks again for all the great help

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Tampa is a VERY nice airport. Its located centrally in the Bay Area, in Hillsbourgh county, north of Pinnellas county. Its also located by I-275 (takes you south to Naples) and I-4 which would take you to Disney. All of the rental cars are offsite, but all are located closly to the airport.

 

[LBKB]

Thanks Disneyjosh229 do you have to take a taxi to car rentals or do they have free shuttles? Nice to see another Michigander

 

[gw_lit]

Thanks Disneyjosh229 do you have to take a taxi to car rentals or do they have free shuttles? Nice to see another Michigander

National/Alamo is not in the terminal, you'll have to take a free shuttle to their lot, but many of the other rental agencies (Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Dollar, Budget) are right in the terminal. And the National/Alamo lot is on the way out of the airport, so its really not out of the way at all.

 

[JustHolly]

The I4 construction has been going on for years and will continue indefinitely! It will be several more years, at least.

I4 is really bad in the lakeland area, about halfway to WDW. There are narrow lanes with Jersey barriers and sudden, severe lane shifts with little or no warning. The last time we drove through there a couple of weeks ago, there was a caravan ON TOP of the barriers!! The nutcases who drive in Florida do not slow down through these areas, and don't look when they change lanes. A previous poster said it's nothing like the Boston traffic. I've done both, and right now, that Lakeland stretch is pretty bad. Boston drivers are fast and rude (cutting people off, not letting you go, etc) but predictable. Florida drivers are just plain dumb sometimes. SORRY!


They have opened new lanes from exits 38 to exit 58 (your first WDE exit on I4 from Tampa is exit 62). So, it is a little bit better lately. It will definitely take you closer to 90 minutes and time of day is not always a factor... construction really slows things down after 9pm. WDW to Naples will take you 3 hours to the minute. We do the drive somewhat regularly.

We haven't used the Tampa airport in a couple of years, but it is smaller than Orlando, but same set up. You have to take the "monorail" from the terminal to the main airport building, and then an escalator to baggage claim. If I remember correctly, the baggage claim and rental cars are on the same level. Someone else will have to tell you for sure.

I think you'll do enjoy flying into Tampa, especially because you're also going to Naples. Just PLEASE be careful on I4 though Lakeland.... Exits 27-38.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Thanks Disneyjosh229 do you have to take a taxi to car rentals or do they have free shuttles? Nice to see another Michigander

You might want to avoid the terminal rental car agency's, because all of them have locations on 587 (Spruce St) which is about 1/4 mile away from the airport. If you can, rent from the 587 locations (spruce st) and it will save you from paying the rediculous "Airport Concession Fee's".

 

[LBKB]

Oh I can't thank you both Just Holly & Disneyjosh229 for all the help and info. It is GREATLY appreciated THANKS again

 

[Aisling]

We'll be flying into MCO, but out of TPA when our DCL cruise ends on Dec. 31st. TPA had fares to NYC for $74 OW, and we jumped on it.
So we'll be driving a rental to Tampa and were told by many people that we'll make our 2 PM flight out, that the route is easy, and the construction not as bad as it was. Good luck.