Tampa is a popular city for travelers on a vacation to Florida. The city has many attractions to enjoy, but in order to travel to all the places it has to offer, having a rental car in Tampa is vital. Usually, the most convenient way to get one is at the start of your trip, so upon arriving, visit the Tampa airport car rental locations to secure the type of vehicle that best suits your travel plans.

There are several Tampa car rental locations within the airport, as well as additional locations near the airport that provide rentals. For Tampa rental cars that are away from the Tampa airport, courtesy transportation is provided through the Commercial Ground Transportation counters located in the four areas of the baggage claim level.

Tampa airport car rental options on-site in both the red and blue baggage claim areas include Hertz, Budget, Avis, Enterprise, Dollar, and Thrifty Car Rental.  To secure a rental car in Tampa at nearby locations, take the shuttles from the airport to the counters for Alamo, E-Z Rent a Car, Payless, Specialty Auto Rentals, National, and U Save Auto Rental of Florida. Tampa rental cars come in a variety of models and styles including sedans, SUVs, vans, Hummers, trucks, sports models, and luxury cars, and remember that a sporty model with a convertible top is the perfect way to take advantage of the Florida sunshine.

Tampa Map

Keep in mind when selecting Tampa rental cars, a good portion of your vacation time might be spent negotiating the city traffic, and choosing the right model and style of vehicle to suit your travel plans can make the driving experience less stressful. A GPS system in your Tampa car rental makes finding your way around the city a much easier task.

Tampa is a large and sprawling city with an array of activities, sightseeing, and attractions throughout all four corners of the county. Unless you plan to spend your vacation in one specific area and use public transportation, a rental car in Tampa is necessary to travel around the area quickly and is less expensive than a cab, which can be important if you're trying to save money.

Regardless of your budget, however, the array of things to do in the city means that having a your own vehicle is often the best way to go. Regardless of whether the itinerary for your Tampa vacation includes visiting nearby cities, driving to pristine Florida beaches, or checking out attractions such as Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, you'll have no trouble fitting in your chosen activities if you have your own car. When selecting a vehicle, go for one that is roomy and comfortable, rates well on gas mileage, and has air-conditioning, particularly if you're visiting in the summer, when temperatures can reach the 90s.

For vacationers who don't need a Tampa car rental car who choose to rent one partway through their vacation, the SuperShuttle service at the airport provides residential transportation service to and from specific destinations in and around the city, including many Tampa hotels. Make arrangements at the Commercial Ground Transportation Quadrants in the baggage claim area; the shuttle services has a reasonable fee and each person is allowed up to three pieces of luggage.

Making reservations ahead of time through a rental car agent, hotel services, or a travel agent for a rental car in Tampa will ensure that you have transportation upon arrival, making for a stress-free start to your trip. Waiting until you arrive to secure a Tampa airport car rental may mean the type of vehicle requested is not readily available. Keep in mind that many vacation packages include rental cars in the fee, which makes the planning even easier and leaves you extra time to focus on the many fun things to do during a Tampa vacation.