A guide to Tampa International Airport

Quick Insights

• Tampa International Airport is located 5 miles west of downtown Tampa and serves more than 20 million passengers every year.
• The airport has one main terminal with four connecting satellite airside terminals.
• Travelers will find two main parking garages connected to the main terminal and a free shuttle service to and from the economy parking lot.

The world's first scheduled commercial airline flight landed in Tampa on January 1, 1914. Those who flew on that first flight would probably be amazed to see the Tampa International Airport (TPA) today. Located just five miles west of downtown Tampa and serving more than 20 million passengers annually, TPA is the fourth busiest airport in Florida and hosts a variety of shopping and dining options. Below, we cover details on ground transportation, parking, terminal information and more to help you get to, from and around the airport.

Navigating to and from TPA

Located on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, there are several connecting toll roads around the airport, including the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Veteran's Expressway, Suncoast Parkway and The Florida Turnpike.

When arriving at or departing from the airport, there are a few ways to get around, including:

• Taxi: Taxi service by Yellow Cab is available at curbside outside the baggage claim at the ground transportation areas, Red 1 and Blue 2.
• Rideshare: If you’re leaving the airport via a rideshare service, you can be picked up at the Red Baggage Claim, the Blue Express Curbside or SkyCenter One building. If you’re being dropped off at the airport via rideshare, your driver can go to any public access location.
• Rental car: Rental car companies are in the Rental Car Center, which can be reached by taking the free SkyConnect train from TPA's Main Terminal. Those taking travelers to pick up or drop off a rental car should go to customer drop off at the remote curb located in front of and adjacent to the Rental Car Center.
• Public Transportation: There are two public buses—the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. Both bus stops are at the Rental Car Center. Follow signs to the remote curb.

Parking at TPA

TPA has multiple parking options for those who need to leave their car at the airport anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Two of the main parking garages are covered and provide direct access to TPA’s main terminal by foot. Those that don’t can be accessed with a quick ride on the SkyConnect train.

Parking options include:

• Short term: This garage is located on levels 4-9 above TPA's main terminal. Take the elevators in the garage to access the main terminal.
• Long term: This garage is adjacent to the main terminal. Take the moving walkway on level 4 of the garage to get to the main terminal.
• Economy: This lot is not connected and located south of the main terminal. There is a free SkyConnect train to take passengers from the lot to the main terminal.
• Cell phone waiting lot: Located south of the airport, this lot is free and provides direct access to the airport via George J Bean Parkway.

There are also free electric vehicle charging stations at all TPA’s parking facilities. Parking reservations can be made in advance on the TPA website.

Tampa Airport map

Whether you’re flying from TPA or it’s a stop on the way, knowing the airport layout may be helpful. There is only one main terminal that connects to four satellite terminals, each with more than a dozen gates. Refer to the TPA website for interactive terminal maps of the campus overview.

Terminals at TPA

Passengers are taken to the main terminal where they will find four satellite airside terminals— A, C, E and F—each leading to a series of gates. The airsides are connected to the main terminal by automated people movers.

The main TPA terminal has three levels:

• Level 1: Arrivals and pick ups
• Level 2: Departures and drop offs
• Level 3: Concessions and gate access

Information boards on levels 2 and 3 of the main terminal will help you with airport directions, flight status and more. The information kiosk is in the center of level 3 of the main terminal. It is staffed with guest experience representatives daily usually from 4 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

How long it takes to navigate through TPA

You may want to consider arriving at the airport no later than 2 hours before a domestic flight and at least 3 hours before an international flight.

TPA recommends giving yourself 20 minutes to get through security during non-peak times and 45 minutes during peak times. If you have TSA PreCheck^® or Global Entry, you may find shorter than average wait times to get through airport screening.

Making the most of your time at TPA Airport

If you have a long layover or your flight gets delayed, there is plenty to see and do at the airport. There are dozens of shopping and dining options as well as an impressive art collection to help you pass the time at TPA.

Dining at TPA

From sit down restaurants to casual grab-and-go eateries and coffee shops, there is no shortage of dining choices. In the main terminal, you’ll find burger joints, Asian cuisine and coffee shops. And within each of the four airsides, there are additional places to grab food near the gates. Please visit TPA’s website to see a full list of dining options.

Shopping at TPA

There are more than two dozen shops within TPA’s main terminal and airsides. When passing through the main terminal, you may find shops that sell:

• Children's toys and activities
• Clothing
• Books, headphones and other travel necessities
• Tampa-inspired gifts and souvenirs

Once through the main terminal and onto your gate, you’ll find each airside has its own collection of shops where you can purchase electronics, the latest bestsellers, clothing, gifts, candy, jewelry and more.

Art at TPA

In 2017, the airport began a $2 million investment in the public art exhibitions in TPA. Tampa’s largest and most striking art piece, “Home” by Matthew Mazzotta, was installed in 2022. This floor-to-ceiling flamingo sculpture is in the center of the main terminal. The 21-foot-tall sculpture is made to look like the bird is peaking its head below the water’s surface thanks in part to a reflective wavy material mounted directly above the sculpture that mimics the ripples of water on the floor below.

It is one of the dozens of art pieces that can be found around TPA’s terminals and parking garages. Works include mosaics, hanging installations, murals, photography, paintings and sculptures scattered throughout the airport.

Priority Pass amenities at TPA

As of July 2024, there are no participating airport lounges in the Priority Pass™ network at TPA. If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve^® credit card or are interested in applying for one, you may be eligible for complimentary Priority Pass membership as a credit card benefit (note that the card has an annual fee).

Priority Pass members may be eligible for benefits like preferential rental car rates, advance duty-free shopping and retail offers at select airport stores. Members can review eligible Priority Pass travel-related benefits before their next visit to TPA.

In summary

While it may not be Florida’s largest or busiest airport, TPA might be a great option for Florida travelers looking to enjoy Florida’s white sand beaches or merely passing through on the way to their final destination.

Those passing through the airport may be delighted by its works of art and its shops and food vendors. If you are travelling to or from the airport, you may find plenty of parking options next to and near the main terminal.

This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication. Details since publication are subject to change. Visit Priority Pass’ official website for the most current benefits information.