When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Tampa?
To avoid crowds and to find cheap flights to Tampa, travel during the autumn months of September, October and November. You may also be able to find cheap flights to Tampa in March or April. Tampa flight prices increase in the peak season, which lasts from December to February. Summer is also popular; consequently, Tampa flights will be more expensive, but the weather can be oppressively hot.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Tampa?
Book your Tampa flights about four months in advance to make sure you get the best deals. If you plan on travelling during the peak season, then the best way to secure cheap flights to Tampa is to be flexible on your travel dates and the route you take. In the autumn, there are more likely to be great deals on last-minute flights to Tampa and other US airports.
Flying to Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) lies about 10 km from Tampa. It serves more than 19 million passengers a year.
Direct flights to Tampa are provided by British Airways from London Gatwick. They are the only airline to offer direct flights from the UK. You can also take an indirect flight with many other airlines. Edelweiss Air offers Tampa flights from Zurich, while Lufthansa leaves from Frankfurt. You can also fly via Canada with Air Canada Rouge and WestJet. You can depart from many UK airports, such as Manchester and Glasgow, with these airlines. On some occasions, you may need to change airlines, but this is not always necessary.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
The airport has four terminals. The main building holds the ticketing and baggage areas and connects to the four satellite terminals (Airsides A, C, E and F) via automated people movers. Airside F is the international terminal where most international tourists will arrive. In the main terminal, there is a Travelex money exchange desk, while ATMs are available in both the main terminal and the international terminal. Public art is on display throughout the terminals. There are business lounges, food and drinks shops and duty-free shopping available.
Getting to the City from Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Passengers have several options for getting to Tampa from TPA. Taxi service from Yellow Cab and United Cab are available outside the main terminal; there is a flat rate to get to downtown Tampa. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transport bus stop is located outside the red area’s baggage belt 15. A new car hire centre opened in February 2018 and a new train service, the SkyConnect, opened at about the same time to connect the airport to the centre. The journey takes five minutes with trains departing roughly every two minutes. There are a number of car hire companies available.
Why Visit Tampa?
Tampa is great for families. As a gateway to the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast, there is plenty on offer – beautiful beaches, zoos, aquariums and museums – to keep little ones and adults entertained. For adrenaline junkies, the theme parks, such as Busch Gardens, may lure you in for a day of rollercoasters, live shows and breath-taking rides. And it's only 90 minutes away from Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. For those who enjoy browsing boutiques, there’s plenty on shops in the city’s many malls and boulevards.
The shoreline is a hive of activity with plenty on offer to suit any type of beachgoer, such as kayaking, parasailing and charter cruises. If you just fancy relaxing with a good book and a cold drink, then there are miles of sandy beach awaiting you. Evenings – with or without kids – in Tampa suit all tastes, but don’t miss tasting Cuban food in Ybor City. Art lovers can rejoice, too; there are excellent collections at Tampa’s Museum of Art and the Ringling Museum of Art in nearby Sarasota.
