Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Tampa Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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The ticket agent was like: ‘Hey you are the one with the Spongebob Pajama pants on! A t.v. reporter came through. You were on the news earlier! They were going to interview you but did not want to wake you.’ -Matthew
TPA Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Tampa International Airport.
What to Expect
Tampa Airport (Code: TPA) is a medium-sized airport with an efficient hub-and-spoke layout: the Main Terminal is the hub, and four terminals (A, C, E, and F) comprise the spokes. Each terminal has its own food court, shops, and gate areas. The SkyConnect automated monorail connects the Main Terminal with parking garages and rental car areas. Once inside, you’ll find a selection of local and well-known eateries and shops, with a landside Starbucks open 24 hours. WiFi is free and unlimited. Economy-class travellers who want to upgrade their airport experience can pay to enter a few of the airport lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in Tampa Airport
The airport is generally friendly to overnight sleepers. You’ll likely have no problem grabbing a seat, but don’t expect much in the way of comfort, as most are equipped with armrests. There are some flat bed benches near the car rentals and check-in counters. Quiet corners do exist if you prefer to stretch out on the carpeted floor. An extra blanket, sleeping bag, or sleep mat will help with the comfort factor.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Landside – from Baggage Claim, head to Floor 3 for space and privacy.
- Airside – follow signs for Gates 1-45 for some couches and lie-down furniture.
For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel is located inside the Main Terminal, and other nearby hotels offer free shuttle service. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more info.
Read the latest airport reviews for more tips or click here to add your review.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Tampa Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that TSA, airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Tampa Airport Hotels
Quick Facts
Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
Sleep Cabins or Pods: No
Day Rooms: No
Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is some good news for those who are looking to sleep at Tampa Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, you must pass through immigration/security, but there is an onsite hotel. Several nearby hotels can be found within a 10-minute drive by free airport shuttle.
Hotel inside the Airport
- Marriott Tampa Airport – Located inside the main terminal and accessible from the Transfer Level. No airport shuttle is available. » Check Rates
Hotels near Tampa Airport with free shuttles
- Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport Avion Park Westshore » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Airport Westshore » Check Rates
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport – Westshore » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Tampa Bay Airport » Check Rates
- TownePlace Suites Tampa Westshore/Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Tampa Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy-class ticket!
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Location: Airside, Concourse F, Gate 85. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of American Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.
Airline Lounges (members only)
- Delta Sky Club – Location: Concourse E, Airside, Gate 68. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounge
- USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Level 2, Ticketing Level – near the British Airways Ticket Counter.
Related Pages: Tampa Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us, “water bottle refill stations located above most, if not all, drinking fountains throughout the airport.” (June 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. Starbucks is open 24 hours daily (Landside, Main Terminal, Level 3, Transfer Level).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Power outlets have been built into some seating.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available at Tampa Airport.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Tampa Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Art in the Airport – Art exhibits and scheduled live music performances are available in the airport.
Chapel – Location: Transfer Level
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
- Banking Services – SunTrust Bank has a full-service branch in the Tampa Airport Marriott. Hours: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Mon-Wed), 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Thurs and Fri)
- Currency Exchange – Travelex has a currency exchange kiosk in the Main Terminal, Level 3 Transfer Level. Hours: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. A Travelex currency exchange ATM in Airside F is accessible 24 hours daily.
Information Desk – Location: Near the escalators on the North and South ends of Level 3, Main Terminal. Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:30 PM. Airport Ambassadors can be spotted throughout the airport to assist travellers.
Massage – Make your way over to Rick’s Massage to unwind. Location: Inside Tampa Airport Marriott. Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Mon – Fri) • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Sat).
Shoe Shine – Cole’s Shoe Shines provides services in Concourse E. Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM.
Shopping – Duty-Free is located Airside E and F, the hours are unknown. You will find a Newslink that is open 24 hours a day, selling newspapers, snacks, drinks, etc. Location: landside (main terminal).
Smoking – There are designated smoking areas in all airside terminals.
Spa – Services are available from the Terminal Getaway Spa. A location can be found in each airside concourse, as follows: Airside A. Hours: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM • Airside C. Hours: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM • Airside E. Hours: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM • Airside F. Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Traveler’s Aid – Traveler’s Aid is a non-profit organization that assists stranded and distressed passengers. Volunteers assist passengers with general airport and destination queries, such as transportation, lost or stolen money, wiring money, emergency housing, etc. Location: Main Terminal, Level 3, next to “F” monorail. Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Mon-Wed) Mon-Wed – 4:00 PM (Thurs – Sun).
Bus
Tampa Airport is served by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus route 30. For route maps, schedules and fare information, visit the HART website.
Car Rentals
Car rental services are available on-site and accessible with the SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal. On-site car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Sixt • Thrifty and more.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tampa Airport • Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay • Hampton Inn Tampa International Airport / Westshore • Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Airport Westshore • Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore • Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore • Homewood Suites Tampa Airport – Westshore • La Quinta Inn Tampa Bay Airport • Ramada Tampa Airport Westshore • Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza • Tampa Marriott Westshore • TownePlace Suites Tampa Westshore / Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttles
SuperShuttle offers shared-ride, door-to-door shuttle service between the airport and destinations within Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando Counties.
Taxis
Taxis are available outside of the baggage claim area. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. The minimum fare for rides from the airport is $15. At the time of this update, a flat fare of $28 is available for rides to the cruise terminal and downtown Tampa.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.