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Tampa International Airport Car Rentals | AirportVanRental

08/03/2025 – 08/06/2025

Why rent a car at Tampa Airport

Don’t waste time, let’s find you the perfect Tampa ride! Use the search box above to compare rates from rental companies at TPA Airport. Just input your travel dates and Tampa Intl (TPA) as the location. In seconds, you’ll see a full range of options: compact cars for zipping around town, roomy sedans for comfort, SUVs and minivans for family trips to the beach or Busch Gardens, even convertibles to enjoy Florida’s sunshine. Filter results by car type, price, or brand to narrow it down. Booking is a breeze, reserve your chosen car now (most rentals require no prepayment) and take advantage of free cancellation flexibility. We bring together the best deals across all Tampa rental brands, so you get the lowest price available. Once you book, you’re all set, just hop off the plane, take the SkyConnect train to the Rental Car Center, and your car will be ready to kick off your Tampa adventure!

Welcome to Tampa, Florida, the heart of the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast! If you’re flying into Tampa International Airport (TPA), renting a car will unlock all the excitement this region has to offer. From the bustling Riverwalk downtown and historic Ybor City to the pristine beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete just across the bay, and even Orlando’s theme parks a short drive east, a car is your ticket to explore. Tampa’s airport is known for its ease and modern facilities, and that extends to renting a car too. In this guide, we’ll cover how to get your rental at TPA’s convenient Rental Car Center and share local tips for a smooth journey. With AirportVanRental, you’ll snag a great deal (we’ve seen rates as low as $11/day) and enjoy free cancellation and no hidden fees, so you can cruise the Gulf Coast worry-free.

Tips for Renting at Tampa International Airport

  • Using the SkyConnect to the Rental Car Center: After you deplane and grab any checked luggage, follow the signs for “Rental Cars / SkyConnect Train.” Tampa’s terminal is organized with a main terminal and airsides; once you’re in the main terminal (baggage claim area), you’ll take an escalator or elevator up one level to the SkyConnect station. The SkyConnect is a free automated train that runs continuously between the terminal, the Economy Parking Garage, and the Rental Car Center. Board the SkyConnect (it comes every couple of minutes) and enjoy the short ride, in under 5 minutes you’ll arrive at the Rental Car Center station. It’s super convenient, and beats having lots of shuttle buses. When the doors open, you’ll be at the RCC, take the escalator or elevator down into the facility.
  • At the Rental Car Center: Inside the RCC, you’ll find all the rental car counters lined up, it’s a large, modern facility with clear signage. Go to your company’s counter (or if you’re an Emerald Club or similar member with a skip-the-counter option, follow those directions, usually you’d go straight to the garage area). The agents will process your contract. Then, they’ll direct you to the garage just outside where the cars are parked. The RCC has four levels; typically, the bottom level is the lobby and the upper levels are garages. Each rental brand has designated parking areas. It’s well-marked, and there are often attendants to guide you. The whole process is designed to handle lots of travelers quickly, so even when it’s busy (weekend mornings, holidays), it’s about as smooth as it gets. Expect the walk from counter to car to be short, you might even see your car from the counter through the glass.
  • Leaving the Airport: The Rental Car Center connects to the main airport exit roads. From the RCC, you’ll follow signs to leave the facility, you’ll end up on Airport Access Road which leads to the highways. TPA is conveniently located near major routes: you can get on I-275 (which runs north-south through Tampa) or Highway 60 which goes west over the Courtney Campbell Causeway toward Clearwater. If you’re heading to downtown Tampa, you’ll likely take I-275 north (actually eastward direction but signed north). If going to St. Petersburg or the beaches, you might take I-275 south over the big Howard Frankland Bridge or take Highway 60 west. The rental car exit will put you on the loop ramp to these highways quickly. Just make sure you’re in the correct lane for your direction because the exits come up fast. It’s all clearly labeled with big signs like “To I-275 North / Tampa” or “To 60 West / Clearwater.”
  • Tolls in the Tampa Area: Tampa’s immediate area doesn’t have many toll roads in the city, but there are some you might encounter on longer drives. For instance, Veterans Expressway (FL-589) runs north from the airport area, it’s a toll road (cashless, uses SunPass). If you’re going to Pasco County or toward Crystal River, you might use that. Also, Polk Parkway (FL-570) near Lakeland or Alligator Alley (I-75 south of Naples) are toll, but those are further out. For Orlando trips, note that I-4 is free, but if you detour on 417 around Orlando, that’s toll. Your rental car likely comes with a toll transponder or program. Typically, you get charged tolls plus a small daily fee on days you use a toll. If you plan to drive a lot in the region, it’s convenient to just drive through tolls and let the program handle it. If it’s just a one-off, you also have the option to pay some tolls in cash (like on the causeways to the beaches, there is no toll for Clearwater causeway, but there is for Sunshine Skyway bridge to Bradenton). Sunshine Skyway is $1.50 toll (cash or SunPass). The Courtney Campbell and Howard Frankland bridges are free. When in doubt, follow the signs, Florida toll roads will say if no cash (like “Toll by plate”). In short, ask the rental agent about the toll policy for your car. Tampa isn’t as toll-heavy as Orlando or Miami, but it could come into play if you explore the wider area.
  • Driving in Tampa Bay: Tampa’s road network is a mix of city streets and freeways. Downtown Tampa has some one-way streets but is fairly navigable. Parking downtown and in Ybor City is usually available in garages or lots. If you’re headed to the beaches (Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach), go early on busy weekends, causeways can back up by late morning. Tampa drivers are generally moderate, but like any city, there’s some aggressive rush hour behavior on I-275. Speaking of, rush hour in Tampa (7:30-9:30am and 4-6:30pm) can slow I-275 and I-4 significantly near downtown. The I-275/I-4 interchange (Malfunction Junction) is often a slow spot. Use a navigation app for real-time routing, sometimes the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway (toll) is a good alternate through south Tampa if I-4/275 is jammed. Also, summer brings thunderstorms, roads can pond with water in heavy rain, so drive cautiously and note that visibility can drop in those quick downpours. Lastly, watch for wildlife if you drive in rural areas (yes, Florida has gators, but you’re more likely to encounter birds or the occasional deer at dusk in outskirts). With your rental car, you have the freedom to check out not just Tampa, but also Orlando (about 1.5 hour drive), Sarasota (1 hour south), or even do the famous drive down to the Everglades. Florida’s flat, scenic highways await, just keep that sunscreen handy and enjoy the ride!

Frequently Asked Questions

Tampa often has some of the most affordable rental car rates among major U.S. airports, thanks to a lot of competition and Florida’s generally lower rental costs (especially in off-peak seasons). Yes, rates from $11/day for an economy car are indeed possible, particularly in non-peak travel periods or with advance booking. That said, those low teaser rates might not include taxes/fees, and usually apply to longer rentals (a weekly rate average, for example). Realistically, you might find base rates in the $20s-$30s per day for an economy or compact if demand is normal. During peak times (think spring break, holidays, big events like the Tampa Super Bowl or Gasparilla festival), prices can rise, maybe $40-$50/day for the same car. Florida also has seasonal fluctuations: winter (Jan-Mar) is high tourist season, so rates can be higher than summer (which is off-peak for some, aside from holiday weeks). The key is to book early for peak times and compare companies. Sometimes a lesser-known brand might have a $5-10 lower rate per day than a top brand. Also consider car size, often a full-size might be only a few dollars more than compact, so you might upgrade for comfort cheaply. Keep in mind, our site will show total price including mandatory fees so you won’t be surprised at the counter. And remember, Florida rentals usually have unlimited mileage and no one-way fee within Florida (if you plan to drop elsewhere in FL). In summary, yes, Tampa rentals are frequently quite cheap, one reason many road trippers start in Florida! Just always double-check the final pricing with taxes, and enjoy the deal you find.

Tampa’s RCC houses all the major car rental players and a few additional ones. You’ll find Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Thrifty, these are the big national brands. In addition, agencies like Sixt, Fox, Payless, Zipcar (and sometimes others like ACE or Advantage if operating) have presence. In total, about 14 companies are at TPA. The advantage of the RCC is that even if a smaller company doesn’t have a big counter, they often share space or are right next to the big ones, so it’s still one-stop shopping. For instance, Payless may be serviced by Avis/Budget staff, etc. The key is: nearly any rental option you’d consider is available on-site at Tampa’s airport. When you search on our site, we show you all the available offers from these companies so you can compare easily. Rest assured, whether you go with a household name or a budget brand, you’re picking up at the same convenient center at TPA.

It’s easy and even a bit fun, you’ll take the SkyConnect train from the main terminal to the Rental Car Center (RCC). After you collect any checked bags at Tampa’s baggage claim, follow signs for “Rental Cars / SkyConnect.” You’ll take an elevator or escalator up to the SkyConnect station (which is attached to the main terminal). Hop on the next SkyConnect tram, they come every couple of minutes and run 24/7. It’s a quick ride (around 5 minutes) over to the Rental Car Center. When you arrive, go down to Level 1 for the rental car counters. The whole process is very streamlined; no need to go outside or catch a bus. The SkyConnect is free and luggage-friendly, with plenty of space for bags. This setup is one of the perks of TPA, no traffic to fight between terminal and rental lot, just a smooth air-conditioned ride. On your return, you’ll do the reverse: drop the car at the RCC, then take SkyConnect back to the terminal (it’ll drop you right at the airline check-in area). So, bottom line: SkyConnect = your shuttle, fast, convenient, and you can’t miss it thanks to ample signage in the airport.

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