Question about Tampa Airport and Car Rentals

[sgtdisney]

I just booked a flight into Tampa for our trip to Disney World this coming March. The flights were either booked going into Orlando or extremely expensive. I have never flown into Tampa before. Is the airport easy to get around in? Luckily we fly back from Orlando. On other question, do any of the rental agencies have cars right at the airport in Tampe like National or Dollar does at MCO? Or do we have to ride a shuttle bus to pick up the car?

 

[goofy4tink]

We've used Alamo twice now when flying out of Tampa. It's a great airport for getting around. Alamo/National are off-site but it's not a big deal really. The shuttle is frequent. When we first used it, we were returning the car and got lost. We followed the signs for car rental returns...ah, right, except those were the on-site companies! Got back on track, followed an Alamo shuttle bus and found it. Last time, two weeks ago, we knew better and really watched the signs...had no problem at all.

 

[kcminnie]

We have used both Dollar & Thrifty at Tampa. They are both at the airport.
I actually like the Tampa airport better. It is not a big or crowded as Orlando.

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

How far is Tampa to WDW?

 

[goofy4tink]

How far is Tampa to WDW?

Depending on time of day, about 1 hr. 15 mins....I've left WDW at 8:00 on a Sat morning, and at noon on a Sat and that has been my driving time. Weekdays, at the end of the work day it may be longer.

 

[gw_lit]

All of the major national car rental agencies, except for National and Alamo, are on-site at Tampa.

As someone said earlier, the National/Alamo lot is really on your way out of the airport. I rent from National (offsite) and Avis (onsite) in Tampa quite frequently, and I'm not sure if there's really any time difference going onsite vs. off.

If you get the best rate from National or Alamo, I wouldn't hesitate to use them, even being off-site.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Great thread... Iwas wondering this as well, especially since flights to Tampa are about 1/2 what it costs to Orlando through SW!

 

[sgtdisney]

That is good to know about National, being close, even though it isn't in the airport. I really prefer to use National when I can because of the Emerald Reserve Service. I really like not waiting in lines and picking out my own vehicle. However I also really like not having to board a bus with 2 kids, a wife and 6+ bags in tow. We did it when we were in LA last year though and it worked out ok. I will just have to shop the rates and find out what works best.

On a side note, is I4 close to the Airport and easy to find?

 

[NJDad18]

We just booked our flights for 6/22 - 6/30 ($655 for the 4 of us) and now are working on the car rental. Last time we used Alamo and it worked out great. We'll see what happens this time.

 

[hercamore]

Our experience was awesome with our first itme flying into TPA and renting a car this past Aug.

First off, car rental fees are usually chepaer at TPA than MCO. I paid $102 for a week in aug. inclusive.

We flew Delta into TPa. Luggage was waiting for us when we got to luggage pickup, walked down halllway to the shuttle area for Natl. sshuttle pulled up immediately. We took off right away and drove maybe 4 minutes to car site.

Tons of cars available in all sizes. We have EA. Easy out of the shuttle lot and onto the I4. We stopped to eat at Wendys about 50 miles out of Tampa. Trip didn't take that long, maybe 90min.

Would definitely do it again.