Tampa International Airport
Also known as: Tampa Airport, TPA Airport, Tampa Bay Airport. Formerly Drew Field.
Private transfer from TPASee pricesSee pricesAbout Tampa International Airport
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the main airport for Tampa and the Tampa Bay area on Florida's Gulf Coast, including St. Petersburg and Clearwater. It sits about 6 miles (10 km) west of downtown Tampa, at the north end of the Westshore business district, and handled about 24.8 million passengers in 2025.
Southwest flies the most routes, alongside Delta, American, United, JetBlue, Frontier, Breeze, Alaska, Avelo and Sun Country across the United States. Air Canada, WestJet and Porter fly to Canada, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to London, Discover to Frankfurt and Edelweiss to Zurich, with flights to Mexico, Panama, Colombia and the Caribbean too.
The airport is built around one Main Terminal, where you check in and collect your bags, and four separate Airsides, A, C, E and F, each reached by an automated shuttle from the Main Terminal's third level. A fifth, Airside D, is under construction.
From the airport, most travelers head to downtown Tampa, Ybor City and the cruise terminals at Port Tampa Bay, or west across the bay to Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, about 20 to 30 miles away.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Hillsborough County Aviation Authority
- Passengers per year
About 24.8 million in 2025
- Runways
Three: 1L/19R (11,002 ft), 1R/19L (8,300 ft) and 10/28 (6,999 ft)
- Terminal layout
One Main Terminal and four Airsides (A, C, E, F) linked by automated shuttles
- Opened
1928 as Drew Field; renamed Tampa International Airport in 1950
Arrival tips for Tampa International Airport
On a domestic flight, you leave the plane at your Airside and ride the automated shuttle to the Main Terminal. Follow the signs down from Level 3 to Baggage Claim on Level 1, where each airline uses the red side or the blue side; the color matches your airline's ticket counter.
On an international flight, you clear US Customs and Border Protection at the Airside before reaching the Main Terminal. Arrive with your passport and, if you need one, your ESTA or visa approved. Automated Passport Control kiosks and Mobile Passport Control can speed up the line for eligible travelers. Collect your bags at the Airside, then take them on the shuttle to the Main Terminal; free baggage carts are provided. The airport warns that it can take an hour or more after landing to reach the Main Terminal.
Outside Baggage Claim, taxis wait at the ground transportation areas on the red and blue sides, and rideshare pickups are at the Red and Blue Express Curbsides. For a rental car, take the SkyConnect train from Level 3 to the Rental Car Center. Florida is on Eastern Time.
Ground transportation
There is no rail link from the airport, so most travelers leave by road: a pre-booked car, a taxi, a rideshare or a rental car.
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Book a transfer from TPAPrivate transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in Baggage Claim and drives you door to door to downtown Tampa, the cruise port, Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach. The easiest option with family, luggage or a late flight.
Taxi from Tampa airport
Taxis wait outside Baggage Claim at the Red 1 and Blue 2 ground transportation areas. About 15 minutes to downtown Tampa outside rush hour; fares rise quickly for the beaches across the bay.
Uber and Lyft
Rideshare pickups are at the Red and Blue Express Curbsides, signposted from Baggage Claim, and at the SkyCenter One remote curb. An airport fee is added to the fare.
Rental car
Take the SkyConnect train from Level 3 of the Main Terminal to the Rental Car Center. Many roads in the area, including the bridges to Pinellas County, have electronic tolls.
HART and PSTA buses
Local buses to Tampa and Pinellas County stop at the Rental Car Center, reached by SkyConnect. Cheapest, but slow with luggage and limited at night.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Airside shuttles
Automated shuttles run between each Airside and Level 3 of the Main Terminal, a ride of about a minute. There is no direct link between Airsides.
- 2
Changing Airsides
To connect between Airsides, ride the shuttle back to the Main Terminal and the shuttle out to your next Airside, then clear security again at its entrance, so allow extra time.
- 3
SkyConnect train
A separate landside train from Level 3 of the Main Terminal to the Economy Parking garage and the Rental Car Center, where the HART and PSTA buses stop.
Terminals
Every airline checks in and claims bags in the Main Terminal, on the red or blue side, and boards from one of four Airsides.
Main Terminal
The landside building for every flight: baggage claim on Level 1, ticketing on Level 2, and shops, restaurants and the shuttles to the Airsides on Level 3, the Transfer Level.
Airside A
Used by JetBlue, United, Breeze Airways and Sun Country Airlines for domestic and some Caribbean flights.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Breeze Airways, JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines
Airside C
Used by Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Avelo Airlines.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Southwest Airlines
Airside E
Used by Delta Air Lines, Frontier, Air Canada and Aeroméxico.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines
Airside F
The international airside, used by American Airlines and most foreign airlines, with US Customs and Border Protection on site.
Airlines commonly assigned here: American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Porter Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi with no time limit in the Main Terminal and all four Airsides.
Shops and restaurants
On Level 3 of the Main Terminal, the Transfer Level, and past security in each Airside.
Currency exchange
In the Main Terminal, with an exchange booth at Airside F, the international airside.
ATMs
In the Main Terminal on Levels 2 and 3 and in each Airside.
Hotel
The Tampa Airport Marriott is on airport property, reached from Level 3 of the Main Terminal.
Nursing rooms
In the Main Terminal near the red-side restrooms and in each Airside.
Pet relief areas
In the Main Terminal near the red-side restrooms and in Airsides A, C, E and F.
Lost and found
On Level 2 of the Main Terminal, the ticketing level.
Trusted traveler enrollment
Enrollment centers for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are on Level 1 of the Main Terminal.
USO center
The USO Tampa Bay center for active-duty military and their families is on Level 2 of the Main Terminal, near the British Airways counter.
Airport lounges
Admirals Club, Airside F
American Airlines' lounge near gate 85, for eligible American and oneworld passengers, Admirals Club members and day-pass holders.
Delta Sky Club, Airside E
Delta's lounge near gate 68, for eligible Delta premium-cabin passengers, Sky Club members and eligible cardholders.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Ask your airline for wheelchair or mobility assistance when you book, and confirm it at least 48 hours before you fly.
Reduced mobility
The shuttles to the Airsides board level with the platform, and elevators link Baggage Claim, Ticketing and the Transfer Level in the Main Terminal.
Hearing and visual support
Tell your airline when you book if you need help following announcements or finding your gate.
Service animals
Pet relief areas are in the Main Terminal and in every Airside; rules for service animals are set by each airline.
Parking
Short Term Parking
The garage at the Main Terminal, for drop-offs and pick-ups; stays under one hour are free (airport website, October 2026).
Long Term Parking
Garage parking a short walk from the Main Terminal, for longer trips.
Economy Parking
The Economy Parking garage, reached from the Main Terminal by the SkyConnect train.
Cell Phone Lot
A free waiting lot near the Rental Car Center for drivers picking up passengers; vehicles cannot wait at the Baggage Claim curb.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Tampa airport from downtown Tampa?
Tampa International Airport is about 6 miles (10 km) west of downtown Tampa, at the edge of the Westshore business district. The drive usually takes about 15 minutes outside rush hour, by taxi, rideshare, rental car or pre-booked car. HART buses also run to downtown from the Rental Car Center, which you reach by the SkyConnect train.
How far is Tampa airport from Clearwater Beach?
Clearwater Beach is about 20 to 25 miles west of Tampa International Airport, across Old Tampa Bay in Pinellas County. The drive takes about 35 minutes with normal traffic, longer at rush hour or on busy beach weekends. There is no rail link, so most visitors go by car, taxi, rideshare or pre-booked transfer.
How far is Tampa airport from St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach?
Downtown St. Petersburg is about 21 miles from Tampa International Airport, roughly 25 minutes by road across the Howard Frankland Bridge. St. Pete Beach, on the Gulf barrier islands, is about 29 miles away, around 36 minutes with normal traffic. Allow more time at rush hour and on weekends.
How many terminals does Tampa airport have?
Tampa has one Main Terminal, where all passengers check in and collect bags, and four Airsides with the gates: A, C, E and F. Each Airside is linked to the Main Terminal by its own automated shuttle from Level 3. A fifth, Airside D, is under construction.
Which Airside does Southwest use at Tampa?
Southwest Airlines uses Airside C, together with Alaska Airlines and Avelo. Delta, Frontier, Air Canada and Aeroméxico use Airside E; JetBlue, United, Breeze and Sun Country use Airside A; and American Airlines and most international airlines use Airside F. Check your boarding pass, since assignments can change.
Where is baggage claim at Tampa airport?
Baggage claim is on Level 1 of the Main Terminal, not at the Airsides. Ride the shuttle from your Airside to Level 3, then follow the signs down. Baggage claim is split into a red side and a blue side by airline, matching the color of your airline's ticket counter on Level 2.
Where do international flights arrive at Tampa airport?
International flights arrive at an Airside, mainly Airside F, where you clear US Customs and Border Protection before reaching the Main Terminal. You collect your bags there and take them on the shuttle to the Main Terminal, with free baggage carts. The airport says this can take an hour or more after landing.
Is there a train from Tampa airport?
No passenger rail line serves Tampa International Airport. The SkyConnect train runs only within the airport, from the Main Terminal to the Economy Parking garage and the Rental Car Center. HART and PSTA buses stop at the Rental Car Center for Tampa and Pinellas County, and most travelers continue by road.
Where do I get an Uber or Lyft at Tampa airport?
Rideshare pickups at Tampa International are at the Red Express Curbside and the Blue Express Curbside, signposted from Baggage Claim on Level 1, and at the SkyCenter One remote curb. Use the side that matches your airline. An airport service fee is added to each rideshare fare.
Where are taxis at Tampa airport?
Taxis wait curbside outside the Baggage Claim level of the Main Terminal, at the ground transportation areas marked Red 1 and Blue 2. A taxi goes door to door to downtown Tampa, the cruise terminals at Port Tampa Bay, the Westshore hotels and the beaches.
Does Tampa airport have lounges?
Yes. American Airlines' Admirals Club is in Airside F near gate 85, and the Delta Sky Club is in Airside E near gate 68. Entry depends on your ticket class, airline status, membership or eligible credit card. The USO center on the ticketing level welcomes active-duty military and their families.
Is there a hotel at Tampa airport?
Yes. The Tampa Airport Marriott is on airport property and is reached from Level 3 of the Main Terminal, the Transfer Level, so you can walk to it without going outside. Many more hotels are nearby in the Westshore district, a few minutes from the airport by road.
How far is Tampa airport from the cruise port?
The cruise terminals at Port Tampa Bay are on the Channelside waterfront next to downtown Tampa, about 9 to 10 miles from the airport. The drive usually takes 15 to 20 minutes outside rush hour. Taxis, rideshares and pre-booked cars all go there; check which cruise terminal your ship uses before you travel.