Arrival: Orlando vs Tampa

[mgm4444]

Is there a big difference driving from Orlando airport vs. Tampa airport to TV? I mapquested the mileage on both to TV, but just curious on tolls, traffic, construction, etc. with both areas.

[RayB]

Much easier to travel to Tampa. Non stop from Wildwood to Tampa Airport parking on same highway all the way. Airport at Tampa is much easier to get to parking which is on top of terminal and/or next to terminal and all you have to do is take the elevator down or take the shuttle train right to your airline ticket or departure gate. NO Tolls all the way! I have found through the years of traveling out of Tampa that fares can be less than Orlando. Not always but usually. Airport is less crowded than Orlando due to less tourist travel to Disney. Terminal is less crowded and hectic. Whenever we travel I try to book through Tampa if ticket prices justify. They usually do. Due to non stop travel on same highway and condition of roads to Tampa, I find it takes about the same time to go to Tampa or Orlando. Often wondered why TV does not offer shuttle service to Tampa.

[graciegirl]

Much easier to travel to Tampa. Non stop from Wildwood to Tampa Airport parking on same highway all the way. Airport at Tampa is much easier to get to parking which is on top of terminal and/or next to terminal and all you have to do is take the elevator down or take the shuttle train right to your airline ticket or departure gate. NO Tolls all the way! I have found through the years of traveling out of Tampa that fares can be less than Orlando. Not always but usually. Airport is less crowded than Orlando due to less tourist travel to Disney. Terminal is less crowded and hectic. Whenever we travel I try to book through Tampa if ticket prices justify. They usually do. Due to non stop travel on same highway and condition of roads to Tampa, I find it takes about the same time to go to Tampa or Orlando. Often wondered why TV does not offer shuttle service to Tampa.

I agree!

[Avista]

I like traveling through Tampa much better. There are no necessary tolls, and the airport is less congested.

[Biker Dog]

When we fly down we normally fly none stop into Sanford. The trip from Orlando to TV is too hectic (spelling) for us and too many tolls. Have been checking out flying into Tampa and will use it in the future for sure.

[red tail]

what do you find hectic about traveling the turnpike?

[asianthree]

well we find the flight to tampa much more quiet...no young ones that can't wait to get to disney

[nitehawk]

Is there any shuttle from Tampa ?

[l2ridehd]

The only issue I find with Tampa is flight selection. There are many more options in and out of Orlando. And usually I find cheaper flights RT to Orlando. I try to check both as I do agree travel, parking and tolls are better with Tampa.

[drdodge]

Orlando is about a one hour trip and Tampa is about one and a half hour trip
Both one way. Orlando has toll roads Tampa does not. Times are give or take about 15 min.
drd

[Mallory]

Prior to our full time move to The Villages, we were able to choose between Orlando and Tampa and usually took the Southwest flight that had the better pricing and schedule. If you are able to fly Southwest and use their "Ding" fares you can get some really good bargains to either airport.

My only real problem with the Tampa Airport is that it's on the other side of Tampa so, depending on your flight time, you can get caught up in some heavy rush hour traffic. Traffic doesn't seem as much of an issue regarding Orlando.

From our house in Mallory to Orlando airport parking it's 70 minutes and 90 minutes to Tampa airport parking (with no traffic backup). Orlando does welcome you to Florida with tolls and you have them with the Turnpike also, especially the $2.50 in the south Leesburg area (get a transponder and you won't have a backup which can be significant. It's portable. The transponder works in other states also such as Ohio, New York, and others. Don't forget it in your rental car, however).

If you are arriving late the extra 20 minutes from Tampa can be significant and makes the drive seem longer. The drive from Tampa is also darker and other drivers seem to drive about 5-10 mph faster than on the Turnpike.

Picking up a rental car is about the same in either city. If you are driving your own vehicle and parking at or near the airports, I think Orlando is better and usually cheaper.

TSA is a little more efficient in Orlando and if you use the "Experienced Traveler" line it moves fairly quickly since there aren't as many families in that line. I don't think they have that line in Tampa.

You can pick up WVLG sooner coming from Orlando and that always makes us feel we're closer to home.

At this point, given a choice we would usually pick Orlando over Tampa but the decision is still price and schedule driven.

[jojo]

I fly almost every week and find that Tampa traffic is a deal breaker. Can be horrendous. In the three years that I've used the turnpike to Orlando have only had one traffic jam due to a truck hitting the bridge but still made it on time. The distance to Tampa is indeed greater. It does take a couple trips to get comfortable with the Orlando airport but I find it easy to get around. I go 27 to Leesburg, then pick up the turnpike to save time and it happens to avoid one toll.

[batman911]

I believe Tampa is one of the nicest airports I have visited. Lots of good food places and the airport public areas are clean and nicely decorated. We usually fly into Tampa and stay overnight at the Marriott inside the airport before we pick up a rental car below the hotel and drive to our destination. Because we are coming from West to East we usually arrive late afternoon or early evening. We seldom encounter traffic as we use the Veterans Expressway (toll road) that connects at the airport. I believe taking the toll road cuts down the drive time to TV.

[JenAjd]

We'd prefer Tampa over Orlando for picking folks up and delivering. Easier to get to etc. We've had friends who've gone to Orlando and been delayed on the road due to an accident but guess that could happen on the way to Tampa as well. Still...would opt for easier in and out if possible

[swrinfla]

Background: I've never used Tampa myself, nor suggested it for my guests!

Yes, it's a little further from TV by road.

On t'other hand, there aren't any tolls.

Undoubtedly, the Tampa airport should be one h*** of a lot easier to cope with than Orlando.

Your guests must evaluate their own itineraries! My guests inevitably discover that they can come to Orlando on non-stop flights, whereas flying in to Tampa generally means that they must change planes somewhere along the line! In today's world, that is NOT ideal!

My personal bottom line: Always suggest Orlando (MCO) as the destination of choice. Arriving guests need to pre-program their flight itineraries, then decide on a "plan of attack !."

SWR
:beer3:

[Avista]

As far as guests go, we prefer to pick them up at Tampa all things being equal. We always compare prices. Sometimes Tampa is cheaper, and sometimes Orlando. The Tampa airport is nicer.

[NJblue]

For those who prefer picking up guests in Tampa, have you used the express parking under the Orlando airport terminal? We used it for the first time when picking up our daughter/SIL and grandson and it was a complete breeze. You can park almost directly under the baggage carousel for the airline that they are coming in on, walk 20 feet to the elevator and go up one level and meet your guests. It's great for when there are lots of baggage. There is no stress of cars pulling in and out as there is at the regular arriving passenger pickup area. For the dollar or two that it costs, I can't imagine any airport experience being more friendly and stress free. It was so nice that when we returned them to the airport we parked there to see them into the terminal and give a leisurely goodby rather than the hurried send off that you have to do in the departing passenger drop-off area. Note, since it is under the terminal, there is special security to prevent car bombs but that took only about a minute at most.

Having always been within 30 - 40 minutes from a major airport, I find the hour it takes to get to Orlando about my upper limit. The time we drove to Tampa for a Yankee exhibition game (which is relatively near the airport) it seemed to take forever and the traffic was much worse than anything I have experienced going to MCO.

[Freeda]

We use both Tampa and Orlando; both have their pluses and minuses, as others have mentioned. Did almost miss a flight once when we got caught in rush hour traffic on the I-275 in Tampa

Another option that might be helpful is the Orlando Sanford Airport, which has Allegiantair and Vision (and some others; but these are the ones we've used from that airport). They are smaller airlines with limited routes and schedules, but if your route is available from/to there, it is usually a direct flight, often at less expense, and it takes about the same time to drive to the Sanford airport as driving to MCO (Orlando); but without the tolls, as it is state road, either through Tavares or through Eustis (mapquest will show you two routes to choose from to get there).

The Sanford airport's website shows all of the airlines that fly from there http://orlandosanfordairport.com ; and then you can check those airlines to see if they offer your route.

We have used Allegiantair alot. Of course, the downside is that the shuttles don't go to the Sanford airport; so we just drive and park our car there. Some of the independent drivers will also transport to/from the Sanford airport.

Spirit air is another airline we have used, flying from MCO (Orlando).

I don't think that these smaller airlines show up in the online travel sites, like Priceline, Expedia or others (Spirit air may be an exception, I'm not sure); as with Southwest, you have to know about the airlines and book flights directly from their websites.

[mrfixit]

Is there a big difference driving from Orlando airport vs. Tampa airport to TV? I mapquested the mileage on both to TV, but just curious on tolls, traffic, construction, etc. with both areas.

...........Just as a FYI.......WHEN traveling on the 528 Beachline Expressway (formerly called the Beeline ) at the ORLANDO Airport exit... You DO NOT HAVE TO USE THE LEFT LANES to use your pre-paid tolls transponder.......You can STAY IN THE FAR RIGHT LANES and when you enter the toll-booth area your transponder will turn the light to green...(You don't even have to smile at the human like creature in the toll-booth)....PLUS.....That way you do not have to cross the 3 lanes of traffic to make the IMMEDIATE right turn onto the exit ramp to the ORLANDO Airport ...a whole bunch safer to do it this way....Personally....ORLANDO more CONVENIENT...and Quicker....AND.....the cell phone waiting lots have those cute little plasticy phone-booth lookin' hut-like thingys ( "terlits" )...and... you can watch the planes land too........Dang.......Life IS Good.

[ijusluvit]

I fly almost every week and find that Tampa traffic is a deal breaker. Can be horrendous. In the three years that I've used the turnpike to Orlando have only had one traffic jam due to a truck hitting the bridge but still made it on time. The distance to Tampa is indeed greater. It does take a couple trips to get comfortable with the Orlando airport but I find it easy to get around. I go 27 to Leesburg, then pick up the turnpike to save time and it happens to avoid one toll.

Have you ever tried the Veterans Tollway? If you are headed in or out of Tampa at rush hours it is a terrific alternative to I-275. Going in, you exit near the junction of I-75 and I-275, drive west a few miles to the entrance. It ends at the airport. Tolls total $1.00. Leaving the airport you will see northern traffic on 275 and if it is backed up you can choose the Veterans entrance instead. I've never seen it crowded.
This option, which you don't have going to Orlando, is a big reason why I choose Tampa whenever possible.

[gatherer47]

Elite Transportation in the Villages goes to and from both Sanford and Tampa.E-mail me if you want the number.

[DebbieB]

I have driven both now, absolutely like the Tampa airport much better and ease of arriving and departing. About a half hour more driving, but worth it IMHO. Less noise on planes as well. I love kids, I have two grandkids, but the noise volume from the little ones with Mickey mouse hats on are tough unless you use a good pair of noise reduction headphones flying in and out of Orlando. LOL!

[CentralNYer]

Anyone flying out of Tampa have any suggestions on parking?? Website indicates "economy" parking is $9/day but some "offsite" locations advertise much less with 24 hr. security and a free shuttle. Any experiences pro or con would be helpful - thanks.