£506 Cheap Flights to Tampa

Why You Should Take a Flight to Tampa

With its beautiful beaches, glitzy city centre, vibrant nightlife, buzzing arts scene and wonderful weather, Tampa is the epitome of Florida cool. With year-round sunshine and so many activities to choose from there is never a bad time to visit.

When to Book Flights to Tampa

The most popular time to visit Florida is during the winter months, when temperatures are still warm (averaging around 20°C) and there is little rain. If you plan to visit between November and April be sure to book well in advance. The city gets extra busy during spring break over Easter and during February’s state fair.

Between May and August the temperatures rise and there is more chance of rain. But Tampa is still a popular summer holiday destination for families.

Hurricane season lasts from June until November, but the chance of being hit by a storm are slim.

Perhaps the best time to visit Tampa is in September and October when there are fewer visitors and the weather is cooler.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Tampa

Gatwick is the only UK airport with direct flights to Tampa but you can use the ‘Nearby airports’ option to compare fares to and from other airports in Florida.

The ‘Show flexible dates’ option shows prices on different dates, which can vary dramatically.

UK Departures to Tampa

• London to Tampa 9 hours 55 minutes
• Manchester to Tampa 12 hours 10 minutes (no direct flights)
• Birmingham to Tampa 14 hours 40 minutes (no direct flights)
• Glasgow to Tampa 12 hours 50 minutes (no direct flights)
• Newcastle to Tampa 14 hours 40 minutes (no direct flights)
• Edinburgh to Tampa 12 hours 55 minutes (no direct flights)
• Belfast to Tampa 14 hours 10 minutes (no direct flights)

Main Airports in Tampa

Tampa International is the fourth biggest airport in Florida and deals with nearly 20 million passengers a year. It lies six miles west of the city centre.

There are plenty of food and shopping options, tourist information offices, money changing facilities and hire car centre on site.

Orlando International is around a 90-minute drive from Tampa and it is also possible to fly to nearby Sarasota on the other side of Tampa Bay.

Which Airlines Fly to Tampa?

Airlines that fly from the UK to Tampa include:

• British Airways
• Icelandair
• Norwegian Air UK
• Air Canada

How to Get to and Around Tampa

From Tampa International Airport you can take a bus, shuttle or taxi to the city centre or drive in a hire car.

Tampa has a good bus system and you can also ride the electric streetcars that run through the centre of the city.

Renting a car is a good option for exploring Tampa and beyond, particularly if you are staying outside downtown. The city is easy to navigate and there is plenty of parking.

What Are the Must-sees in Tampa?

A visit to Busch Gardens must be top of the list of things to do in Tampa. Part theme park part zoo, it has rollercoasters, restaurants and family entertainment and is home to more than 12,000 exotic animals.

Tampa is blessed with wonderful beaches. Caladesi Island, west of the city in the Gulf of Mexico, has one of the best beaches in the US but there are plenty to choose from along the coast.

Despite being a city Tampa has lots of wildlife. Visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to go birdwatching and see native manatees.

Tips and Tricks for Travelling in Tampa

Take some time to explore Ybor City, with its cobbled streets and cigar shops, for a taste of old Florida.

Tampa hosts lots of festivals celebrating everything from guavas to margaritas to pirates. So check to see what’s on while you are there.