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Tampa Layover Guide (TPA)

What are you looking for in TPA?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Tampa Airport (TPA) is an international airport located in Tampa, Florida. It’s situated about 10 km (6 miles) from downtown Tampa. The airport officially opened in 1971. Tampa is a major city on Florida’s Gulf Coast and is known for its warm climate, diverse culture, and thriving economy. It’s also popular for its beaches, outdoor activities, and attractions like Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium, making it a great place to visit or live.

Can you leave Tampa Airport (TPA) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Travelers with a valid US entry permit (visa or ESTA) can exit Tampa International Airport during a layover. Passengers typically qualify. You must clear immigration and customs, collect checked bags if applicable, then re-check them for your onward flight. Ensure your visa status covers multiple entries. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Tampa Riverwalk 2.6-mile scenic waterfront walkway connecting parks, museums and downtown landmarks. Perfect for a leisurely stroll with city skyline views. (Time required: 1–2 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi or rideshare ~15 min.)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay African-themed adventure park featuring thrilling roller coasters, live animal habitats and seasonal shows. (Time required: 3–4 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi or rideshare ~20 min.)
• Ybor City Historic District Vibrant neighborhood known for its rich Cuban heritage, cigar shops, colorful architecture and eclectic nightlife. (Time required: 1.5–2 hours. / Airport to here: MetroRapid bus Route 30 ~30 min.)
• The Florida Aquarium Interactive marine exhibits showcasing local and exotic sea life in immersive habitats. Ideal for families and wildlife enthusiasts. (Time required: 2–3 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi or rideshare ~15 min.)
• Tampa Museum of Art Modern and classical art collection housed in an architecturally striking riverside building overlooking the Hillsborough River. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi or rideshare ~15 min.)
• Sparkman Wharf Trendy waterfront food hall and outdoor lounge featuring local eateries, live music and communal seating. (Time required: 1–2 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi or rideshare ~15 min.)
• Hyde Park Village Charming open-air shopping district with boutiques, cafés and green spaces perfect for a quick bite or window-shopping. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi or rideshare ~20 min.)
• Tampa Bay History Center Engaging museum exploring Florida’s Gulf Coast history with interactive exhibits and authentic artifacts. (Time required: 1–1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Taxi or rideshare ~15 min.)

Things to Do in Tampa Airport (TPA)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Tampa International offers two main public lounges: the Admirals Club (American Airlines) in Airside F and the Delta Sky Club in Airside E. Both provide complimentary snacks, beverages, Wi-Fi, workstations and tarmac views. Additionally, The Club lounge airside C is accessible via day passes for around $50. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
The on-site Tampa Airport Marriott sits within the Landside terminal, featuring 350 rooms, meeting spaces, a fitness center, pool and 24-hour airport shuttle. Westshore hotels like the Hilton Garden Inn and Sheraton Suites lie within two miles, offering complimentary shuttles, business centers and day-use options for short stays. » Find and book airport hotel/sleeping pod in our Tampa Airport (TPA) hotels/sleeping pods page.

Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
TPA lacks dedicated sleep zones or pods. Travelers can use cushioned club chairs in quieter airsides, floor-level seating near gates, and power-equipped countertops for brief rests. USO Center on Level 3 offers seating but no overnight lodging; distressed service referrals available. Expect standard benches with armrests throughout the terminal.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Free, unlimited Wi-Fi is provided under “TPA Free WiFi” across the Main Terminal and airsides—no password required, just acceptance of terms. Speeds suit browsing and messaging. Airline lounges and the airport hotel lobby offer faster, secure connections to guests.

SIM/eSIM Card: TPA has no dedicated SIM kiosks. Physical SIMs from AT&T and T-Mobile can be purchased at their retail counters on Level 3 of the Main Terminal. Alternatively, travelers should buy and activate eSIM data plans online before arrival for immediate cellular access. Coverage is robust across the Tampa area. » Find out where and how to buy SIM card/eSIM in our Tampa Airport (TPA) sim/eSim page.

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Yellow cabs queue at Red 1 curb (arrivals) and Blue 2 curb (departures), operating 24/7. Flat fare to downtown Tampa is about $30; longer trips use metered rates. Payment by cash or major credit cards is accepted. Rideshare apps (Uber, Lyft) pick up from designated zones outside the terminal.

Train: SkyConnect is a free automated people-mover linking the Main Terminal, Economy Garage and Rental Car Center. It runs 24/7, every 5 minutes during the day and 15 minutes overnight. Trains depart from Level 1 near the public bus stops. (more info)

Bus: HART Routes 10, 30 and 32 serve TPA daily. Route 30 links downtown to the Rental Car Center bus bay via the SkyConnect station. Weekday service runs 5:30 am–midnight; weekends 7 am–11:30 pm. Standard fare is $2.25; riders pay with GO cards or the HART app. (more info)

Shuttle: Many hotels provide complimentary shuttle service; guests should reserve ahead and meet buses at baggage claim Level 2. Shared-ride shuttles (e.g., SuperShuttle) can be pre-booked for regional transport. Pick-ups occur at Zones 2–8 outside the Main Terminal; seating is limited, so early booking is advised.

Car rentals: The Rental Car Center, accessible via SkyConnect from Level 1, hosts over ten companies. Onsite counters and self-service kiosks operate daily; after-hours drop boxes are available. Services include insurance, GPS rental, “fuel-and-go” pre-pay options and an onsite fueling station adjacent to the center. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Short-Term Parking (Blue Garage) sits directly above the terminal with walkways to ticketing. Long-Term (Orange Garage) is next door. Economy Parking (Gold/Green) connects via SkyConnect. Rates start at $2 per 30 minutes (short-term), $22/day (long-term) and $12/day (economy). A free cell-phone lot is on Airside D.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

TPA does not offer onsite luggage storage or lockers. Travelers may purchase day-use passes at the Tampa Airport Marriott for storage. Offsite services like Stasher and Qeepl operate near the airport, offering insured baggage storage from about $7 per day, bookable online for flexible drop-off and pickup. » Find out where to book and left your luggage in our Tampa Airport (TPA) left luggage and storage page or directly book here (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Tampa Airport (TPA) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks