Who's flown into Tampa??

[Sammy]

I just found a great airfare from Boston to Tampa but I've never flown into that airport before. Can anyone share some information....ie: how easy is it to get luggage, is it a very crowded airport, how easy to get to rental car counter (National), etc. Is it an easy drive up to WDW? How about the security lines on the return flight...etc. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!!

Sammy

 

[scootert]

DH and I did this two years ago when we lived in Minneapolis. We had no problems at all -- airport was much less congested than MCO. Baggage and car pick up were a breeze. Return was easy, just allow time for traffic depending on when you are returning. Not sure what conditions are like now, but suspect would need two hours prior to flight. Have a great trip...

 

[Kelly&John]

We flew into Tampa at the end of January for a long weekend. The airport is smaller and easy to negotiate. National's Emerald Isle was a bit challenging to find but we got a great car once we found it.

It took just under two hours to get to WDW, but we there was a traffic accident that had the highway down to one lane. Returning took about three hours - another traffic accident. All lanes were closed for LifeFlight rescue workers. Hint - leave early!

We had a flight at a peak time (monday morning). The lines for security check were HUGE but they were managed well. Caught our flight home with no problem.

Hope this helps.

Kelly

 

[nhmomx2]

Hi Sammy...looks like we're neighbors (we live in Pelham!). We flew the BOS-TPA route last year (Delta Express - great rate). Two things to consider...Delta Express (if that's who you are flying) is known for cancelling flights out of Logan (ours was cancelled and we got rebooked onto a flight going to Orlando - lucky us!). Secondly...IMHO...if you have an early am flight home and are thinking of staying in Tampa...be careful. We stayed at a Days Inn that was VERY close to several - not one, but several - strip joints And the hotel was kind of scary - we did one of those don't sleep with both eyes closed kind of things! Other than that...the airport was a breeze - very similar to Manchester (which I love!). If you've gotten that $74 rate (or there abouts) go for it! Have a great trip.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Tampa = Simple!!!

We flew from Manchester, NH into Tampa and back for Thanksgiving. I was very worried about the whole thing. Tampa airport was easy, clean and wonderful! When you get off the plane at your terminal, follow the crowds toward the monorail. There are a bunch of "Elevator" doors that open into a monorail to take you into the main building. Go down the escalators, and there is the baggage claim. ALL of the rental car agencies are in the same room as baggage claim. I got our luggage and put it onto a cart, while Ted picked up the rental car. He was in sight of me the whole time. We finished at exactly the same time, and walked right out into the parking garage where the rental cars were. The whole process took less than 20 minutes from deboarding and we were off!!!

The ride to WDW took a little bit less than an hour! It was SIMPLE!!! If we can do it, anyone can! ALl flights were on-time.

NH MOM!!! We stayed at the SAME DAYS IN!!!!! GROSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THere was BLOOD on the shower wall! We demanded to switch rooms three times and still had a disgusting room! YUK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never been in a more disgusting, seedy place!



Holly

 

[Sammy]

Thanks everyone! Glad to see so many NH DISers! Thankfully, the return flight home from Tampa would be late afternoon, so no need to stay over in any hotel...thanks for the warning!!! My biggest concern is the drive up to WDW but it sounds like that won't be a problem either. Of course, my first choice would be nonstop from Manchester to Orlando, but I just can't resist the $80 RT Delta is offering from Boston to Tampa! Even with the price of the rental car added on (we don't usually rent a car at WDW) it still is cheaper.

Thanks again!
Sammy

PS. Ted and Holly...I'm jealous! Your countdown clock says you leave in 3 days!! I won't be going until the end of August or beginning of September!

 

[mom23guys2]

We recently flew home from Tampa(We flew into MCO but the flight home was $140 cheaper from Tpa so we did it.) The airport was easy to negotiate. The security lines were short. National was simple to return our car. It took 1 hour 15 minutes drom AKL to the airport. We had a late afternoon flight , we could have arrived at the airport at 4 but chose to get there at 3 to avoid a weekday rush hour. The rush hour traffic starts earlier in Florida so try thru get to town by 3:30. Traffic can really increase after that.

 

[Ted and Holly]

3 DAYS!!!!!!!!

 

[mrsstats]

Flew in and out of Tampa in March. Flying in and driving to 192 was about 1 hour. Same amount back but we flew out on Delta on a Sunday. That is when all the cruise ships arrive and have flights back. We waited 3 hours to be checked in. They finally had to pull us out of line in order to check us in so we could make the flight. Was very nerve racking for me. I have no problem with Tampa airport and would do it again, would just make sure I either got there early or left later. I also found National a challenge to get to. Walk acroos the concourse, down an elevator then back up or down, cant remeber which.

 

[dajim]

Just one word of warning if you plan to use national emerald aisle. Tampa has red and blue baggage claims, on opposite sides of the terminal, and emerald aisle only on one of the sides, so if you are on the wrong one you are stuck going up elevators, across the terminal, and down another elevator. very inconvenient.

 

[StilesMom]

We flew into Tampa last May and had no problems. In fact, we left one of our carryon bags in one of the terminals and airport security was very helpful. (One thing I learned from that experience... always put ID on everything you carry... not just checked-in luggage.) The drive from Tampa to WDW isn't bad at all. So, if the airfare is significantly lower, I'd go with Tampa.

 

[denisenh]

We also flew MHT to Tampa not too long ago...I think it was Nov. 2001, yes it was.
Anyway, It was no problem. We used EA with no problem and drove to WDW in about an hour/ hour and a half. We had an early flight home so we headed back to Tampa the afternoon prior . We stayed at Holiday Inn Treasure Island which is right on the beach and about 30-45 minute drive to TPA. Had a great time there as well. I'll be in Tampa MONDAY! Yea!

 

[MMCD]

Car rental was cheaper there compared to Orlando. We saved a little over $200 from Dallas. This paid for the car rental. It took us 95 minutes to get to Crossroads near DD.

Funny thing about Days Inn. We'll never stay in one again. Our was not in Tampa but in Memphis. We heard gun shots!!! DH slept since he was going to be the next driver. But I had BOTH eyes open even though I was tired from being the last driver.

MMCD