How to get around in Tampa Bay?

How To Get Around In Tampa Bay?

What are the best ways to get around in Tampa Bay?

How to get around in Tampa Bay? One of the most common question when traveling to a new city. Figuring out how to get around efficiently and cost effectively is important when traveling to a new city. Visiting a new city can be a ton of fun, but pricey if you don't know your way around. We have created a list of some of the most popular transportation options available in Tampa Bay during your sports trip. Plan the ultimate trip with the help of our travel experts and don't get caught unprepared when traveling to a new city!

How to get around in Tampa Bay

Walking or driving is the easiest and most efficient way of getting around Tampa Bay if you are staying downtown. Although they do offer public transportation in the forms of bus and streetcar, many of their attractions are spread out. Depending on what you are looking to do, Tampa Bay offers a variety of transportation options. We recommend walking along the Tampa Bay Riverwalk.

How to get around in Tampa Bay?

# of Major Tampa Bay and Clearwater/St. Petersburg Airports: 2

 

  1. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) 
  2. Tampa International Airport (TPA)

 

How to get to and from PIE

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) is a public and military airport serving the Tampa Bay Area. PIE is only 9 miles north of Downtown St. Petersburg, 7 miles southeast of Clearwater, and 17 miles southwest of Tampa. 

 

Located only a 20 minute drive from Downtown St. Petersburg, it is quite easy to get to and from PIE if you are staying around Tropicana Field. If you are flying in for a Tampa Bay Rays game be sure to give yourself some added time if you are landing before the first pitch, traffic around any major airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to risk being late to the game! 

 

Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown St. Petersburg from PIE so you can start your sports getaway!

 

  • Taxi: Taking a cab from the PIE to Downtown St. Petersburg may be your best bet in terms of convenience. Taxis from PIE are not a flat rate, they are priced by the meter, starting at $2.50 USD with an additional charge of $2.25 USD per mile. This 20 minute drive should cost you around $30.00 USD before tip. Only United Taxi and Yellow Cab run from PIE and they are located outside of Baggage Claim in the Ground Transportation lot.

 

  • Airport Shuttles: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative about your hotel’s shuttle service, if applicable. Pick-up times can be coordinated by communicating your flight information with your hotel and shuttle transportation services can be found outside of Baggage Claim in the Ground Transportation lot

 

  • Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! PIE offers multiple car rental counters both on site and nearby. All on site car rental counters, including National, Avis and Budget, can be found at the Baggage Claim area. Cost of your rental car will vary depending on the length of your trip and your car selection.

 

  • Private Car/Van Service: There are several private car companies that service PIE. SuperShuttle St. Petersburg, Go Airport Shuttle, and Carmel Car and Limousine are among the top providers in the St. Petersburg area and they all offer pick-ups at PIE. Though price will vary based on your car and company selection, an average private van from PIE to Downtown St. Petersburg should run you around $65.00 USD. Be sure to communicate your pickup location clearly with your driver.

 

  • Ride Sharing: Uber and Lyft service PIE. If you follow the signs to "Ground Transportation" and "Baggage Claim" once exiting your flight and then head outside, you’ll clearly see the designated passenger pickup area labeled "TNC/Rideshares”. The cost of your Uber or Lyft varies on the level of ride you request and the peak-rates.

 

  • Public Transit: By taking the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Line 52 bus from PIE towards Grand Central Station you’ll be able to make it to Downtown St. Petersburg in just over an hour and for under $3 USD! With a new bus running every 30 minutes you don’t have to wait long to grab your seat.

 

For getting to Downtown St. Petersburg from PIE we recommend taking a taxi. Taxis are an ever-reliable option that is not only your most efficient choice, but the cost is also very reasonable. Taking an Uber or Lyft can also be a very convenient way to get downtown, but we recommend checking the approximate ride share price before committing. High peak-rates can quickly make Uber/Lyft not worth the cost. 

 

How to get to and from TPA

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is an international airport only 9 miles west of Downtown Tampa, in Hillsborough County, Florida. TPA processed 22,497,953 passengers in 2019, making it the 28th-busiest airport by passenger movements in North America. 

 

Located only a 15 minute drive from Downtown Tampa, it is quite easy to get to and from TPA if you are staying around Amalie Arena. If you are flying in for a Tampa Bay Lightning game be sure to give yourself some added time if you are landing before puck drop, traffic around any major airport can be unpredictable and you don’t want to risk being late to the game! 

 

Below are your best available options for how to get to Downtown Tampa from TPA so you can start your sports getaway!

 

  • Taxi: TPA is serviced by both Yellow Cab and United Cab, both of which are available at the curbside outside the Baggage Claim Level. Taking a cab is extremely convenient in any airport, but the distance between TPA and Downtown Tampa makes this option economically friendly as well. The flat rate fee from TPA to Downtown Tampa is only $29 USD. If you aren’t going Downtown, the cab services charge $2.50 USD for the first 1/8 of a mile or part thereof, and an additional $2.40 USD per mile. The minimum fee you will be charged for taking a taxi from TPA is $19 USD. 

 

  • Rental Car: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative to secure a rental car for you before your trip! You can get to TPA’s rental car providers, including Hertz, National and Enterprise, by taking the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal. Remote bag check is available for most domestic passengers and this service runs daily from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. The cost of your rental car will vary on the length of your trip and your car selection. 

 

  • Private Car/Van Service: Premier Airport Transportation services TPA and they offer a variety of ride choices, including over 80 late model Lincoln Town Cars, SUVs, Minivans and large passenger vans, to get you to and from TPA worry-free. They even offer a more wallet friendly Tampa airport shuttle where you share your ride with other travellers heading to hotels in the same area as you! The cost of this option would vary on whether you want a private or shared shuttle, and what vehicle you decide to go with. Be sure to communicate you pick up location clearly with your driver!
  • Ride Sharing: Uber and Lyft are the two ride-sharing companies that service TPA. You can meet your Uber/Lyft driver at Red Baggage Claim, Blue Baggage Claim or the Remote Curbside at the Rental Car Center. The cost of your Uber or Lyft varies on the level of ride you request and the peak-rates, but something to keep in mind is that a service fee of $5.00 USD will be added to the cost of the fare when picking up at TPA.

 

  • Public Transit: The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) have a bus stop at the Rental Car Center, accessible by taking the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal. Follow the signs to Remote Curbside to get to the bus stop. Here you can find all the entire HART and PSTA route map and schedule. A single fare is $2.50 USD but you can also purchase day passes for $5 USD and family tickets for $12.50 USD. Family tickets cover up to 3 children and 2 adults for all-day travel. You’ll want to take the bus from TPA to the Marion Transit Center. The line 60 and line 275 buses will get you Downtown in under 20 minutes. 

 

  • Airport Shuttles: Be sure to ask your Elite Sports Tours representative about your hotel’s shuttle service, if applicable. Pick-up times and pick up location can be coordinated by communicating your flight information with your hotel.

 

If you are looking for the least expensive option to get to Downtown Tampa from TPA, then take either the line 60 or the line 275 bus. If you are looking for the most convenient option that won’t break the bank, either take a taxi or a ride-sharing option. We always recommend checking the cost of your Uber and Lyft ride prior to paying the $29 USD cab to see if you can save some money. If not, spending a little extra upfront for the ease and efficiency and comfort that a taxi or Uber/Lyft brings over a bus is well worth it.

Airport (PIE) & (TPA) to Downtown

Here is a list of options on how to get around in Tampa Bay:

 

  • Biking - We think that this is one of the best ways to get around Tampa
    • HOPR (Coast Bike Share) - 500 rentable bikes across the city of Tampa with dozens of hubs to park them around downtown
      • Cost $1 to unlock, and 15 cents per minute to use.
    • Tampa has 137 miles of bike lanes
    • The bike path that runs along Jackson Street (between Ashley Drive and Nebraska Avenue) is Florida’s first cycle track to be built on a state road. Cyclists are protected from motor vehicles by a 4-foot raised island.
    • In 2016, the separated bike lane on Cass Street was named one of the 10 best new bike lanes in the country by PeopleForBikes.

  • Scootersharing
    • JUMP
    • Lime
    • Bird
    • Spin

  • Water Taxi
    • Pirate Water Taxi - Lots of great sites to see along the water
    • 15 stops in Downtown Tampa, Tampa Heights, Harbour Island and Davis Islands
      • Passes start at $15 for adults and $5 for children

  • Downtowner - Free shuttles in and around downtown! Just download the app. Probably your best option for getting around Downtown Tampa during the day, especially if the weather is nice

  • Bus
    • HARTBus
      • 10 routes serve downtown, Tampa Heights and Ybor City
      • 6 express and limited express routes serve downtown
      • Downtown’s Marion Transit Center serves as one of the city’s major transit hubs.
      • OneBusAway app gives you real-time information on when the bus is arriving and gives you route options based on your destination and desired arrival time.
      • $2 one-way

  • Streetcar
    • Free to ride through a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation
    • Stops every 15 minutes
    • Two days a year without service (Thanksgiving and Christmas)
    • 25 minutes to run from one end of the line to the other
    • 11 stations along 2.7 miles throughout Downtown Tampa and Ybor City
    • Tampa’s first electric streetcar lines were built in 1892; the current system was revived in 2002.
    • The TECO Line’s standard streetcars are 46 feet long and can hold up to 74 passengers.
    • The line includes one Breezer, Tampa’s only operating open-air streetcar.

  • Rideshare
    • Uber
    • Lyft

  • Car Rental
    • Elite Sports Tours can assist you with a car rental reservation during your trip.

  • Taxis
    • Can be difficult to hail on the street, best to get one at a hotel.



These are some of the best transportation options when trying to figure out how to get around in Tampa Bay.

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