What time would you leave WDW to get to TPA?

[thisismyusername]

We have a 6 p.m. flight and need to return a car. We are traveling on a Saturday afternoon, so hopefully there won't be any rush hour traffic to deal with.

Do you think 3 is too late? Would you leave earlier?

 

[mek17]

We have a 6 p.m. flight and need to return a car. We are traveling on a Saturday afternoon, so hopefully there won't be any rush hour traffic to deal with.

Do you think 3 is too late? Would you leave earlier?

We've flown in/out of Tampa several times. The drive time can vary with traffic and in my experience it can take longer than expected to get to the airport once you get into Tampa.

If it were just my wife and me I think leaving WDW at 3pm would be OK. If you've got kids/strollers/backpacks/carseats/bags to check then getting through security can take a little longer, they will likely send you to the "family" (slow) line, so I would probably try to leave WDW at 2pm. That would put you at TPA by 3:30, drop the car, in line for security by 4pm, hopefully at the gate by 4:30pm. You have time for food/bathroom for the kids before boarding, and a little lag time in case of traffic.

Just my thoughts -- I tend to err on the side of extra time at the airport when traveling with kids. I find that keeping them fed before a flight makes for a happier flight for everyone.

 

[thisismyusername]

Thanks! My kids are older (12, 10, 6), so we thankfully don't have the carseats/strollers to deal with and each can man their own carry on, but we're certainly not as quick as we would be if it were just my husband and me. I think we'll try to head out around 2 just to be safe.

 

[goofy4tink]

My ds lives in Tampa, so when we head over to visit him, we always book a hotel that is very close to the airport...about 5 miles away, if that. It takes us at least 75 mins to get from WDW to the airport area, and that's without much traffic. I would plan on there being traffic on a Sat afternoon! The least amount of time it has taken us was one Easter Sunday morning. We left Tampa (airport area) by 7:15, and got to MK for 8:20ish...I was flying, and there was little to no traffic.
I would plan on leaving WDW by no later than 2:30. THat gets you to TPA around 4, which gives you plenty of time to return the car, get checked in and to the gate. Better to have a bit of extra time to sit around vs rushing and worrying.

 

[auger]

We are in the exact same boat. Our flight leaves on a Saturday at 6:00pm. We plan to leave Kissimmee at 3:00, to be in Tampa by 4:30.

 

[ParrotBill]

I've made that drive a number of times myself... I think leaving at 3pm leaves no room for a traffic hiccup.... and even on a Saturday a breakdown or accident can slow traffic to a crawl for a mile or two.

With room for delay, and kids, I agree 2pm departure is safer.. 2:30 as late as I would go.. and 3:00 is strictly for risk takers and those with no bags to check.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Leaving at 3 is TOO late.

It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes just to drive there. You still need to stop put gas in the car and then you have to turn your car in. I would allow at least 2 1/2 hours to drive there in case there is an accident or traffic tie up even though it is a Sat. traffic can be a bit heavy.

Its better to have extra time to spare than risk missing your flight.

Saw a family miss their flight and they told the gate agent they were late because of traffic. Gate agent could not get them on another flight for 2 days! The Dad was fumming!!!

 

[loveswdw]

I've made that drive a number of times myself... I think leaving at 3pm leaves no room for a traffic hiccup.... and even on a Saturday a breakdown or accident can slow traffic to a crawl for a mile or two.

ParrotBill is correct. My mom was heading to TPA from near Ocala. She had left in plenty of time but got stuck in traffic due to a prior accident on the parkway. She called me, freaking out because she was going to miss her plane due to the backup. As luck would have it, her flight was delayed so luckily she made the plane. Had the flight not been delayed, she would've missed it as she was stuck in the backup for over an hour.

 

[rlduvall]

I used to regularly recommend flying into Tampa if it saved money. We had done it numerous times with no problems. Then one time there was a big event going on downtown and we were stuck in traffic around the downtown area for about an hour. I am very Type A and was about to hyperventilate. As it was, we made our flight, but I just won't fly in there anymore unless it is a substantial saving.

As to the OP, I would leave no later than 2:00 p.m. If everything goes as planned you could then get something to eat at the airport and relax. If not, you've given yourself some wiggle time.