Tampa Streetcar heading to Ybor City; (c) Soul Of America
Tampa Transportation
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is a 4 terminal airport that averages over 200 domestic, Caribbean and Latin American flights daily. There are a suitable number of cafes, shops and passenger amenities for a midsize airport. An automated people mover transports you between terminals. TPA AIRPORT TERMINAL MAP
Car Rentals: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National both TPA airport. Taxis: United Cab (813-253-2424) and Yellow Cab (800-852-6222) run just a few miles from downtown Tampa. Shuttle service from TPA Airport to Downtown costs about $30. Many hotels offer shuttle service to TPA Airport and major attractions. So check with them when you make a reservation.
Amtrak Silver Star runs only one daily train to Orlando from Tampa Station at 601 Nebraska Avenue.
In 2022, Brightline Florida expands train service from West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport. Based on Walt Disney World committing to fund its own station, chances look good for a Brightline Florida expansion from Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World by 2025-ish. Though date and funding are TBD, Brightline Florida also plans expansion from Walt Disney World to Tampa.
TECO Line Streecar, a 2.4 mile historic replica system connects many favorite attractions in Tampa: Ybor City, Florida Aquarium, Garrison Cruise Terminals, Channelside dining & entertainment complex, Amelie Arena, Tampa Convention Center and downtown Tampa. We recommend purchasing a day pass to sample attractions and hotels. TECO Line runs from 11a-10p, longer on Friday & Saturday nights.
HART (Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority) is planning a Northeast Light Rail Transit line from downtown, and a West Light Rail Transit line from downtown Tampa to TPA Airport. HART is building a large Bus Rapid Transit network in the region.
Tampa Streetcars and trolley buses interconnect at some downtown attractions and the cruise channel complex. TECOline features historic streetcars that first began Tampa service in 1892. Purchase a day pass for convenience; In-Town Trolley Network consists yellow rubber-wheeled trolleys that interconnect Tampa Convention Center, Harbour Island, Marion Transit Center, hotels and more. Service runs every 15 minutes Mon–Fri 6a–9p.
WEBSITES: http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/
St. Petersburg Looper Trolley
Conveniently discover downtown to the Pier on a shuttle that runs every 15 minutes and the fare is only $0.25 each time you board
PHONE: 727-821-5166
WEBSITE: https://www.loopertrolley.com
Celebrity Cruise ship docked at Port Tampa Bay; credit InjuryLawyers.com
The ports of Tampa and St. Petersburg serve as a year round pleasure ports. Larger of the two ports, Tampa Port Authority offers 4, 5, 7 and 14-day cruises to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. This large cruise port handles nearly 1 million passengers a year. One of the nicer aspects of this cruise port is Channelside entertainment complex, only steps away. Its an excellent place for pre-cruise and post-cruise dining, nightclubs and cinema. Patrons embark and disembark from the Garrison Channel Cruise Terminal for Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines.
Dolphin Encounter Cruise
DESCRIPTION: Cruise from Clearwater Beach to Caladesi Island State Park on Wednesdays & Fridays are quite popular or just do a Dolphin Encounter; the cruises features several options that include beer, wine, and cocktails on trips into the Gulf of Mexico.
ADDRESS: 25 Causeway Blvd, Slip 5, Clearwater, FL
PHONE: 727-442-7433
WEBSITE: https://www.dolphinencounter.org
Starlite Princess
DESCRIPTION: Cruise Tampa Bay on a luxurious cruise leaves from Clearwater and St. Petersburg; this is a quadruple treat – beautiful scenery, a narrated tour of the waterways, a gourmet meal on a beautiful paddle wheel boat; features a variety of dining tours and stops at Tampa.
ADDRESS: Clearwater Marina at 25 Causeway Blvd and Corey Causeway at 3400 Pasadena Avenue South, St. Petersburg
PHONE: 727-462-2628 or 800-444-4814
WEBSITE: https://www.starlitecruises.com
Tampa-St. Petersburg Freeway & Tollway Network has developed a hub in downtown Tampa and is developing a similar hub in St. Petersburg. Now more of the freeway system gets you quickly to downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. You have to take one of its numerous boulevards to get to a Gulf of Mexico beach. The metro area has an large number of tollways, so keep plenty of change handy if you plan to drive a long distance. The tollways are reasonably priced, based on miles traveled.
