Airport FAQ
This page includes a series of questions that are commonly asked by guests and cover topics including services, business hours, parking, and more. If you need immediate assistance or Passenger Paging, please call (813) 870-8770 for the Airport Operations Center. The Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For questions regarding parking or online parking reservations, please call the parking operator at (813) 870-8791.
General Travel
-
TPA suggests arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.
-
Please visit: https://www.tampaairport.com/airlines-tpa
-
To potentially obtain a gate pass, please visit the airline’s ticketing counter on the Main Terminal, Level 2.
-
TPA does not offer luggage storage, but the Tampa Airport Marriott may assist given availability. Please contact the Airport Marriott: (813) 879-5151.
-
Tampa International Airport flies to more than 80 destinations nonstop routes. To see all the latest information on our nonstop flights page.
-
For all of TPA’s shops and restaurants with hours of availability, visit our Explore TPA page.
Assistance Needed
-
All luggage is handled by the airlines directly. Please contact your airline.
-
Please visit our lost and found page for more information.
-
To request wheelchair assistance, please reach out to your airline directly.
-
We offer SmarteCarte rentals at each garage and at the Main Terminal.
Safety and Security
-
Current TSA checkpoint opening times:
- Airside A: 4:15 a.m.
- Airside C: 4:15 a.m.
- Airside E: 4:15 a.m.
- Airside F: 4:00 a.m.
-
Please check with TSA on which items can be carried through security:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all -
For all COVID-19-related travel inquiries, please contact the Florida Department of Health at (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
Airport | General
-
Visit the careers page of our website for information on employers and opportunities at TPA.
-
To request public records call Hillsborough County Aviation Authority's Public Records Custodian, Dylan Didion, at (813) 870-8721, email, or mail a letter to:
Hillsborough County Aviation Authority
Records and Information Center
P.O. Box 22287
Tampa, FL 33622Hillsborough County Aviation Authority fulfills record requests in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (Public Records Law). The Authority assesses a labor charge and a charge for copies in accordance with Section 119.07(4) of the Public Records Law.
STREET ADDRESS: MAILING ADDRESS: 4160 George J. Bean Parkway
Suite 2400
Tampa, FL 33607
USAP.O. Box 22287
Tampa, FL 33622-2287
USA
SkyConnect
-
The SkyConnect operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with decreased frequency during the overnight hours.
-
Less than five minutes, and that includes the stop time at the Economy Garage
-
Trains arrive at each station roughly every two minutes. That means if you have just missed the train, you will wait about two minutes for the next one.
-
Yes
-
Yes, The SkyConnect is pre-security. Short Term Parking at Tampa International Airport is free for the first hour.
-
Yes, after the arriving passenger claims their luggage, have them follow the signs in the Main Terminal to the train. When they exit the train at the Rental Car Center, follow signs to the Remote Curbside, which is accessible to all public vehicles.
-
I just got off a flight and I need to get to the Rental Car Center. How do I do it?
- If you have luggage, proceed to the bag claim as normal. You will then take an elevator or large escalator directly to the Boarding Level of the Main Terminal SkyConnect station. The train will take you directly to your rental car company counter. Everything is clearly marked with signage.
- If you do not have luggage, walk from the Airside to the Main Terminal SkyConnect station. The entrance is located between P.F. Chang’s and Hard Rock Café. It is clearly marked on overhead signs. Once you get into the station, take the escalator or elevator up one level to the Boarding Level. Get on the SkyConnect and take it to the Rental Car Center.
-
From your parking location, take the nearest elevator down to Level 1 of the parking garage. Follow the signs to the moving walkway which will take you to the elevators at the SkyConnect station.
Rental Cars
-
The new Rental Car Center doubles the number of rental car brands at the airport, creating more competition. It is more efficient, meaning passengers will get in and out faster, and it helps decongest the Airport’s curbsides and roadways. It’s critically important to accommodate future passenger growth.
Remote Bag Check
-
Most domestic passengers can check their luggage using the Remote Bag Check. Passengers must arrive 90 minutes prior to departure to use Remote Bag Check. Participating airlines include: American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.
-
Remote Bag Check hours are Mon-Fri from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sat-Sun 5:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
-
Yes, TPA has common use boarding pass kiosks for all passengers.
-
No, there is no additional fee for this service, however, any baggage fees imposed by the airline, including oversized and overweight baggage fees, still apply. Fees can be paid at check-in, if prior arrangements have not already been made.
-
No, travelers lawfully transporting firearms in their checked luggage, must take it in person to the airline ticket counter to declare the firearm and satisfy any additional requirements per airline policy.
Parking | General
-
You can book your parking 365 days in advance.
-
To pre-book parking you will need to make an online reservation no later than 24 hours before you plan to park at Tampa International Airport.
-
Yes, you can pre-book at any one of our parking garages subject to availability, with the exception of the cell phone waiting lot.
-
The maximum booking duration is 45 days.
-
Pre-booking guarantees there will be space for you to park in the selected garage, but does not give you a specifically identified spot.
-
Yes, the height restrictions are 6 feet 8 inches for Valet and Short Term; 7 feet 10 inches for Long Term; and 8 feet for Economy.
-
Parking for passengers with disabilities is available 24 hours a day in all airport parking areas including Short Term, Long Term, and Economy Parking. Upon entering the parking garage, please follow standard signage symbols for designated disabled parking spaces, commonly located adjacent to nearby elevators.
-
Tampa International Airport is proud to offer free electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at all of our on-airport parking garages. All-electric or hybrid-electric vehicles capable of receiving a charge are encouraged to use the spaces designated for EV charging.
-
Parking options are not available to motorcycles.
-
Tampa International Airport is not responsible for any damages or theft. If your car is damaged or stolen, please contact the Airport Police Department at (813) 870-8760 right away to file a report.
-
If your car is not starting or if you have a flat tire, contact the parking operator at (813) 870-8791 and they will be able to assist you.
-
If you have a question regarding parking at the Airport or an online parking reservation, please call the parking operator at (813) 870-8791 or via email at ParkTPA@tampaairport.com.
Parking | Pricing and Payment
-
Please refer to the parking page for full details.
-
Yes, it is always cheaper online.
-
We accept all major credit cards and debit cards.
-
No, you cannot use SunPass Plus to book online.
-
There is no administrative fee for booking online.
-
Yes, our price includes taxes.
-
A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided while booking or the email address you entered when you registered. Please remember to have this confirmation email available when arriving at Tampa International Airport. You will need to scan the QR code provided in the email or on your phone in order to enter and exit the garage.
-
If you stay longer than expected you will be responsible for paying the outstanding charges upon exiting the parking garage.
-
If you stay longer than expected you will be responsible for paying the outstanding charges upon exiting the parking garage.
-
We cannot provide refunds if you decide on a shorter stay.
-
The booking confirmation you receive via email is your proof of payment. You can also go to “Manage booking” and resend a confirmation or login to your account and resend a confirmation.
Parking | Online Booking
-
Your booking reference will be at the top of your confirmation email and begins with the letters “TPA”.
-
Yes, but you will need to make any changes more than 24 hours prior to arrival. In the event of Airport closure, the 24-hours notice period for modification may be waived.
-
Yes, but you must cancel more than 24 hours prior to arrival to get a full refund. You can cancel here (hyperlinked). If you cancel your booking within 24 hours of your reservation, you will be charged 50% of the total cost of your booking. All refunds will go back to the credit card you used at the time of booking. Updated 7/6/21, in the event of Airport closure, the 24 hours notice period for cancellation may be waived.
-
Please bring your email confirmation with you and have it available for scanning when you arrive at the parking garage. You may use a printed copy of your confirmation or the electronic copy on your phone.
-
When you arrive at the parking garage, you may enter through any lane, except the SunPass lane. Please pull up to the ticket machine at the entrance to the garage and scan the QR code from your email confirmation in the designated area. If your QR does not work or if you experience any other entry issues, please press the “Help” button on the ticket machine.
-
To exit the parking garage, please follow the exit signs, which lead you to the exit lane booths. You may exit through any lane other than the SunPass lane. Please pull up to the ticket machine and scan the QR code from your email confirmation in the designated area to exit. If your QR does not work or if you experience any exit issues, please press the “Help” button on the ticket machine.
-
Please call our parking operator at (813)-870-8791.