Airport
Tampa International Airport
IATA Code: TPALocation: The airport is located four miles (6km) west of downtown Tampa.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Contacts: Tel: +1 813 870 8700.
Transfer between terminals: The terminals are connected by walkways.
Transfer to the city: Interactive Ground Transportation information kiosks are available in the baggage claim area near the escalators. There are shared passenger van services as well as several city buses that travel to Tampa and other destinations. The local HARTLine bus stop is at the East end of the Red Baggage Claim. Taxis are also available curbside outside the baggage claim areas; the ride to the city centre takes around 20 minutes and costs a flat rate of $20.
Car rental: Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and Thrifty.
Facilities: The airport has a bank, ATMs, bureaux de change, a shopping mall and several restaurants, bars and cafes. The business centre at the airport offers Internet access, fax and photocopy facilities. The Airport Marriott (located in the terminal) has its own business centre and conference rooms. Disabled facilities are good, those with special needs should advise their airline in advance.
Parking: Both short and long-term parking is available adjacent to the terminal. There is also a remote economy parking lot linked by a shuttle bus. Valet parking is also available in the short-term garage.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.tampaairport.com
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Tampa
Multi-ethnic Tampa on the Florida peninsula's west coast is a thriving city where quaint historic neighbourhoods co-exist happily with sleek skyscrapers, and shrimp boats vie with cruise liners for space in the busy port. It was the Cuban immigrant community, led by Vicente Martinez Ybor, who put Tampa on the map when they introduced the cigar industry in the 1880s and developed Ybor City, now fully restored to its Latin Quarter elegance and a favourite neighbourhood for tourists to explore, by day or night.
Most visitors to the Tampa area stay in the resorts of St Petersburg and Clearwater, across Tampa Bay from the city. Most pay at least one visit to Tampa itself, however, for the exciting attractions and excellent museums on offer, particularly families with children in tow. The most popular attraction is the Busch Gardens entertainment park. Tampa is also within easy reach of Orlando, site of the world-famous Walt Disney World's theme and adventure park.
