Buses to and from Tampa Airport (TPA)

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is found in the American state of Florida, an area that is very popular for tourism. The airport is a major hub for the airline company Silver Airways, and is served by many other carriers as well, such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, US Airways and Southwest Airlines. The majority of the airport’s flights are domestic, but several international fights are also offered to cities in Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and to areas in the Caribbean. Tampa International Airport buses are available for ground transportation, for arriving and departing passengers. There are several bus services from which to choose, some of which are operated by private companies.

Tampa’s international airport is about six miles from the city centre, and consists of one main terminal building and four satellite constructions which house the airline gates. The satellites are referred to as A, C, E and F. Satellite E was built for Delta Air Lines and Satellite F is mainly used by US Airways. They are ‘airside’ buildings, connected to the landside terminal by automated people mover trains. This airport was the first in the world with a driverless APM system. The airport trains are elevated, available from the third level of the terminal and may be used free of charge. They are also accessible to passengers with reduced mobility challenges. Arriving passengers will find the ground transportation services on Level 1, which is same level as the baggage claim halls. There are bus spaces in the Ground Transportation Quadrants which are within easy reach of the baggage halls. Buses will drop off passengers at the Departure Level (Level 2) crossover drives.

The public bus services at the airport are operated by HART, or the Hillsborough Area Regional Transport company, and additional bus services are operated by Red Coach Inc. and SuperShuttle. Passengers can also reach the Greyhound bus terminal by taxi or limousine. Greyhound in Tampa is located in the downtown area, at 610 Polk Street nearby the corner of Pierce Street.

HART bus services at Tampa International Airport

There are good public bus services available to and from Tampa Airport which are frequently available. The Hart Route 30 is the bus that serves the airport, and it operates seven days a week. The buses are available every half an hour on weekdays and on weekends, from 04:10am on weekdays until midnight and from 07:00am to 10:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. HART buses run to the airport from Kennedy Boulevard, Whiting Street and the Marion Transit Centre in downtown Tampa, and are found at the curb-side by the east end of the Red Baggage Claim area at the airport. The airport’s facilities and airline companies are colour-coded. Blue is the colour used for airline companies, baggage claim areas and other facilities on the south side of the terminal, while red is the colour used for facilities on the north side of the building. The buses are therefore available from the north end of the building.

HART public transit fares are very affordable, and their buses are the cheapest form of transport available at the airport. Passengers could save a lot of money by using the bus rather than paying airport parking fees. A one-way trip paid in cash will cost just $1.75, and an Express bus ticket is available for $2.75. HART buses are also accessible to passengers in wheelchairs or motorized scooters, or persons may arrange a HARTplus service, if they are unable to use the conventional buses. This paratransit service will collect passengers at their location and will take them to an accessible bus stop.

Further details regarding the Tampa International Airport’s public buses is available at http://www.gohart.org. HART is also contactable at (813) 254-4278.

Red Coach Inc. at Tampa International Airport

Red Coach offers bus services between Tampa Airport and Miami-Tallahassee. Their coaches are available on the Ground Transportation Level, from the Red 2 area. Departing passengers will be dropped off at the departures area. The Orange Route is available at 02:00pm for north-bound trips and at 03:00pm for south-bound trips. Red Coach offers a luxury service in vehicles that are comfortable. There are 27 leather, reclining first class seats available on each bus, and 38 business class seats. Passengers may carry two luggage items and one carry-on piece of luggage without additional charges, provided that they do not weight more than 50 pounds each and the carry-on item can fit into the overhead luggage compartment. Red Coach tickets can be purchased online at http://www.redcoachusa.com.

SuperShuttle at Tampa International Airport

SuperShuttle is one of the most popular shared-ride services at many US airports. From Tampa Airport, SuperShuttle can take passengers to many of the nearby hotels and resorts, such as Don Cesar, Don Cesar Beach Club, Vinoy, Hilton Bayfront and the Sheraton Sand Key, and to residential areas in Hillsborough County, such as Apollo Beach, Dover, Gibsonton, Lutz, Plant City, Ruskin, Sun City Center and Tampa. Services are also available to the counties of Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando. SuperShuttle offers a door-to-door bus service that may require an advanced reservation. Passengers will find a booth for the company on the baggage claim level in the main terminal building. A ticket agent will be ready to provide assistance. A few of SuperShuttle’s vans are equipped with wheelchair lifts as well, in order to accommodate persons with mobility challenges.

Details for SuperShuttle are available at http://www.supershuttle.com, or their telephone number is (800) 282-6817.