Tampa

The questions people ask first about Tampa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetyTampa is generally fine for visitors in the day; at night stay in lit areas of downtown, Ybor City and Hyde Park and use rideshares after bar close.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$4–7
• Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, main courseAdd 18–22% tip and 7.5% sales tax.$18–35
• Street or quick mealCuban sandwich$9–16
• BeerDraft beer at a bar$6–9
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Rideshare, 5 km (3.1 mi) downtownRideshare, 3.1 mi (5 km) downtown$12–20
• Metro or bus rideBus fare (HART local)$1.75
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personUS$40
• Mid-range bedMid hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$190
• High-end bedMid hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

TPA Tampa International Airport (13 km (8 mi) west of downtown; SkyConnect train links the terminal to four airside gates. HART route 10 runs to downtown.) · PIE St. Pete–Clearwater International (About 24 km (15 mi) west across the bay; mostly Allegiant and Sun Country.) · SRQ Sarasota–Bradenton International (Further south, useful if you pair Tampa with Gulf beaches.)TPA Tampa International Airport (8 mi (13 km) west of downtown; SkyConnect train links the terminal to four airside gates. HART route 10 runs to downtown.) · PIE St. Pete–Clearwater International (About 15 mi (24 km) west across the bay; mostly Allegiant and Sun Country.) · SRQ Sarasota–Bradenton International (Further south, useful if you pair Tampa with Gulf beaches.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$70–110 excl. bed

Mid

$120–200 excl. bed

High

$220+ excl. bed

• Summer heat index runs well above the air temperature; carry water and plan indoor stops midday.
• Afternoon thunderstorms are routine June–September, and hurricane season runs June–November.
• I-275 between I-4 and SR 60 is congested and under long-term rebuilding; avoid 7:30–9:30am and 3:30–7:30pm.I-275 between I-4 and SR 60 is congested and under long-term rebuilding; avoid 7:30 AM–9:30 AMam and 3:30 AM–7:30 AMpm.
• Downtown and airport-area roadworks change lanes often; follow signs, not your map.
• Parking downtown is paid and enforced; read the meter app before you leave the car.