How To Get To Your Resort From Tampa Airport

Tampa International Airport is Florida's third largest airport, handling more than 19 million passengers in 2007 which is an increase of 1.5% over 2006. It is located 10km west of the central business district of Tampa in Hillsborough County with Highway 60 passing the airport entrance just east of the start of the Courtney Campbell Causeway and just south of the end of Veterans Expressway. The airport entrance is well signposted and is west of Westshore Boulevard, accessed via the I-275 exit 39 or via Spruce Street or Columbus Drive westbound from Tampa.

The terminal at Tampa International Airport was the first of its type in the world with four air-side satellites connected to the main building via an automated people mover (APM). The terminal was originally designed to limit the walking distance between the car and aeroplane to 700 feet, but this has now increased to about 1,000 feet because of the new larger air-side buildings.

When you arrive at Tampa Airport you can either hire a car from one of the car rental agencies based n the terminal building, or you can arrange transport into the city at one of the Interactive Ground Transportation information kiosks in the baggage claim area near the escalators. There are shared passenger van services as well as several city buses that travel into Tampa and other destinations.

A taxi service is provided from the Commercial Ground Transportation Quadrants located in all four corners of the Baggage Claim Level. Yellow Cab and United Cab Taxis can be found at the kerbside outside the baggage claim areas. They both charge the same fares: $2 plus $2 per mile.

Passenger pickups can be found in the bus spaces in the Ground Transportation Quadrants. HARTline Rapid Transit is located at the East end of the Red Baggage Claim Curbside by Belt #20, and the route map and schedule is located at the bus stop.

There is no a railway station at Tampa Airport, but there is an Amtrak Station in downtown Tampa on 601 Nebraska Avenue which can be reached either by taxi or the Hartline rapid transit bus. The station and ticket office opens every day from 08.15 to 17.15.

The baggage reclaim area is split into the red and blue sections. If you are heading for the red area but need to be in the blue area you have to go to level 2 and walk across the lobby area where you can take the stairs (or elevator) down to level 1.

You can drop passengers off at the entrance to the terminal building, but do not park or leave your vehicle there as it will be towed away. Both short and long-term parking is available adjacent to the airport terminal. There is also a remote economy car park linked by a shuttle bus and valet parking is also available in the short-term garage.

When you enter the terminal building you will notice that the check in/ticketing area is also split into two sections red on the north side and blue on the south side. There is a good choice of places to get something to eat and drink at the airport both before and after security. There is also a great range of shops at Tampa Airport in both the public areas and passenger zones. Tampa Airport has a bank, ATMs and bureaux de change. The business centre at the airport offers Internet access, fax and photocopy facilities and the Airport Marriott is located in the terminal with its own business centre and conference rooms.
This guide to Tampa International Airport was written by Linda Craik who is the main editor for the Florida Airport Guide.com which is a comprehensive guide to all Florida Airports.