Tampa car rental information
| Pick-up location | Tampa |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Minivan, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Rental locations | 111 |
| Airport locations | 55 |
| Popular agencies | Sixt, AZ Car Rental, Priceless, GREEN MOTION , York Car Rental |
Cheap car rentals in Tampa
| Economy | C$ 21/day |
| Compact | C$ 22/day |
| Intermediate | C$ 24/day |
| Standard | C$ 30/day |
| Full-size | C$ 30/day |
| Minivan | C$ 42/day |
| Full-size SUV | C$ 47/day |
| Intermediate SUV | C$ 27/day |
| Supplier choice | C$ 30/day |
| Compact SUV | C$ 33/day |
| Standard SUV | C$ 35/day |
Top tips for renting a car in Tampa
- Tampa is known for its top-rated attractions, making locals and foreigners visit the city. These include Busch Gardens, Florida Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Museum & Factory, and Sparkman Wharf, among many others. If you are part of the people planning to tour most, if not all, the attractions, then Tampa car rentals are the way to go. A rental car will ensure you get from one attraction site to another within the shortest time compared to using a public bus which often operates by a schedule. In addition, you’ll have the convenience of touring any site you want at any time.
- When driving Tampa car rentals, consider following the existing traffic laws that are in place. First, when you approach a four-way stop, you must stop and only go through the intersection using the order you arrived at it. Also, you may take a left turn on a one-way street into another one-way street as long as traffic moves on the left. Finally, you should flash or honk to notify another driver if you are passing them.
- Tampa is known for having many outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy bike rides and even skating. Note that in Tampa, cyclists are legally permitted to share the road with vehicles. Cyclists riding bikes on the road have equal rights as drivers in cars. Therefore, you need to be respectful as well as careful as you approach cyclists when driving cheap Tampa car rentals. Consider honking to notify a cyclist as you pass them and give way when you approach a junction, and a cyclist has the right of way. This will keep you away from trouble with the law.
- For travelers planning on renting a car during their time in Tampa, it is as simple as hopping onto the SkyConnect train after your flight to Tampa International Airport lands. The SkyConnect train can be found in the main terminal building and connects the airport to the Rental Car Center and the Economy Parking Lot.
- Travelers new to Florida should be extra careful when driving in the rain, especially during the later summer months. Storms can appear out of nowhere and can quickly flood the streets with water, making them dangerous for inexperienced drivers. The flooding will pass quickly, so just be sure to keep an eye on the weather.
- Rush hour in Tampa lasts from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and picks back up again from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. During rush hour, Hillsborough Ave and many of the I-275 exits can become very backed up so it pays to time your trip accordingly. Much of the historic downtown is made up of smaller streets that can grind to a halt during rush hour as well.
- One of the major advantages to renting a car in Tampa is the easy access to all of its wonderful nearby beaches and state parks. For instance, Clearwater Beach, Fort De Soto Park, and Caladesi Island State Park are all readily accessed by car, but are extremely laborious to reach via public transportation. Chances are, you will want to take advantage of the wonderful shopping opportunities in the greater Tampa area and a car is necessary for that as well.
- 25% of our users found rental cars in Tampa for C$ 41 or less
- Book your rental car in Tampa at least 3 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Tampa are around 4% more expensive than airport locations on average
- Intermediate rental cars in Tampa are around 16% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Tampa
What type of car is recommended for driving in Tampa?
Fortunately for drivers who prefer large vehicles, Tampa has wide streets that offer ample room for vehicles of all sizes. In general, drivers will have no problem navigating the city whether they are driving an SUV or a coupe. However, drivers should note that in the historic downtown area, large vehicles may struggle with streetside parking.
What’s the speed limit in Tampa?
Tampa sees a variety of speed limits from 25 mph all the way up to 70 mph on interstate highways. In the downtown area, drivers will typically see speed limits ranging between 30 - 50 mph, depending on the size of the road. On highways, the speed limit is always 55 mph, unless otherwise posted.
Where are the best places to park in Tampa?
In general, streetside parking is not too difficult to find throughout Tampa, especially in the less crowded outer areas. However, in the historic downtown area, streetside parking can become scarce and difficult to find. Parking garages are a great option for drivers heading downtown, though, as they are amply available and fairly cheap.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Tampa?
On average a rental car in Tampa costs C$ 48 per day.
What is the cheapest car rental company in Tampa?
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at AZ Car Rental (C$ 21/day), Priceless (C$ 22/day) and GREEN MOTION (C$ 27/day). In the last 72 hours the cheapest rental car price was found at AZ Car Rental 4100 George J Bean Parkway 33607 (8 kilometers from city center).
What is the best rental car company in Tampa?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Tampa are Sixt (7.4, 469 reviews), NextCar (7.4, 50 reviews), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.2, 171 reviews).
How much is gas price in Tampa?
The average gas price in Tampa is C$ 5.54 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a gas tank costs between C$ 66 and C$ 89, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular rental car in Tampa?
Intermediate (Class Intermediate SUV or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Tampa.
Which car rental companies are at Tampa airport (TPA)?
Car rental companies onsite at Tampa airport include Thrifty, Priceless, Dollar, GREEN MOTION, AZ Car Rental, Easirent, NextCar, Sixt, Fox and Hertz.
How can I find car rentals near me in Tampa?
Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.
How much does an Intermediate car rental cost in Tampa?
An Intermediate car rental in Tampa costs C$ 59 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car rental cost in Tampa?
A Standard car rental in Tampa costs C$ 60 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car rental cost in Tampa?
A Compact car rental in Tampa costs C$ 54 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Tampa?
In Tampa, cars are most frequently rented at GREEN MOTION 4502 W Dr Mlk Blvld (7 km from city centre ).
How much does it cost to rent a car for a week in Tampa?
On average a rental car in Tampa costs C$ 338 per week (C$ 48 per day).
How much does it cost to rent a car long term for a month in Tampa?
On average a rental car in Tampa costs C$ 1,450 per month (C$ 48 per day).
Which car rental companies in Tampa have updated their vehicle cleaning and safety policies because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Some car rental companies in Tampa which have updated their car rental health and safety policies due to COVID-19 to make sure vehicles are clean and disinfected include Thrifty, Dollar and Hertz
Does Tampa have toll roads?
Tampa has a few roads with tolls. These include Veterans Expressway, Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, Suncoast Parkway, and I-4 Connector. The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway and Veterans Expressway accept no cash as it uses electronic billing. If you are using cheap Tampa car rentals, consider using roads that do not have polls to save money.
What is the ideal place to rent a vehicle in Tampa?
You can get affordable and reliable Tampa car rentals in the downtown area. Downtown Tampa is an ideal place to get a rental vehicle from companies such as Alamo and Thrifty. The area features vibrant nightlife and parks and has many entertainment spots, making it a destination for many. This has made it possible for car rental companies to establish themselves in the area and offer affordable prices for their services to meet the need of their growing clients.
Tampa car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
7.8
Good
550 reviewsCleanliness
8.4
Comfort
7.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.8
Value for money
7.8
2 locations in Tampa
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Reviews
8.0 Very good
May 2021
Pros:
Good staff and return was easy.Cons:
We were moving things and the back area was tight. We could have used more room.8.0 Very good
Apr. 2021
Pros:
Drop off awesomeCons:
Received car with ZERO miles to empty in a strange city had to find gas station that luckily was a block away10.0 Wonderful
Jan. 2021
Pros:
Very professional..Great Customer Service.Cons:
Nothing10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2020
Pros:
Very good8.8 Very good
Oct. 2020
Pros:
Ryan at rental and Dante at dropoff were excellentCons:
more convenient pickup and dropoff locations at more reasonable price10.0 Wonderful
Apr. 2020
Pros:
Staff was great. The agent was Very helpful even though he was standing outside in the hot sun. Great guy.Cons:
Nothing - it was great.Sixt
7.4
Good
557 reviewsCleanliness
7.8
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.3
Value for money
7.4
2 locations in Tampa
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10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Nov. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Sep. 2022
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.2
Good
540 reviewsCleanliness
7.3
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.2
Value for money
7.0
20 locations in Tampa
Locations in Tampa
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Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Drop off was easy.Cons:
The little economy car I received was uncomfortable. But the biggest complaint I have is that it was booked at the wrong location. I asked for airport pickup. They did find me a car, but charged me almost double. Very unhappy.2.0 Poor
Apr. 2021
Cons:
Was not informed that car rental was full at the airport and I would have to get an Uber to Hillsborough Enterprise6.0 Okay
Apr. 2021
Pros:
The staff was difficult at the airport, we had to pickup are car at a different location(On Nebraska) and to get a Uber to that location. Once we got there.....The young lady was very helpful. Was concerned on drop off because we originally was to have a car from the airport but the young lady state we could drop off the car at 3909 hillsborough ave. Which was ok but we still were inconvenienced on a expense of getting a Uber.Cons:
Making sure that you have enough vehicles to rent to customers. All three locations next to enterprises did not have cars to rent to customers. Customers were pissed off and being turned away without any assistances.10.0 Wonderful
Apr. 2021
Pros:
Smooth and fast transaction.2.0 Poor
Apr. 2021
Cons:
Enterprise accepted my reservation for a Sunday return to a location that is not open on Sundays. I walked to the Dropbox to find that “due to security issues” they do not accept drop offs after hours and if you drop the keys, you are liable for anything that happens to the vehicle. My flight out was before they opened on Monday. I spent 90 minutes on the phone trying to find someone who could tell me what to do and ultimately, no one had an answer for me. National chain submitted a ticket with the branch I was using in HOPES that they wouldn’t charge me if I returned the car to the airport the next day. Apparently the national brand has no way of contacting branch managers in instances like this and they also don’t have authority to waive fees on behalf of stores using their name. The entire experience was extremely inconvenient. Luckily I didn’t miss a flight because of it but as a young female renting a car alone, I did NOT appreciate sitting in a car in a bad part of town (bad enough for them to blame no drop offs on security issues) for 90 minutes. It has been 2 days since Sunday and I still have not received a call regarding my experience, though I’ve left multiple messages. I’ve had great experiences with Enterprise in the past but the lack of competence I experienced from the team this past weekend will cause me to take my business elsewhere going forward. I know mistakes happen but a large chain should have a much better internal communication system and plan for things like this. Very disappointing.2.0 Poor
Apr. 2021
Pros:
It was ugly and stressful experience. Everything could and should be better.Cons:
EverythingThrifty
7.0
Good
437 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
6.9
4 locations in Tampa
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4.0 Mediocre
Mar. 2023
3.9 Poor
Jul. 2021
6.0 Okay
May 2021
Pros:
The car was niceCons:
Nickel and dime everything. The pick up line was more then 50 min long with two kids after a long flight and we had prepaid. I get it’s busy, but it was awful.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
The Tampa Thrifty rental car line wrapped the entire rental concourse and was 2 hour + wait. They overbook and under staff. We quickly cancelled our reservation with Thrifty and booked quickly with enterprise. Won't go through Thrifty again.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
The wait to retrieve the car was unacceptably long. The car smelled of cigarette smoke. there were hidden costs.6.0 Okay
May 2021
Pros:
The drop off was easy and the car was exactly as advertised.Cons:
I had to wait in line for over an hour to pick up my rental because dollar, thrifty, and hertz were all using only 1 counter with 2 employees to arrange the pickup.Dollar
6.8
Okay
779 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.6
Value for money
6.6
One location in Tampa
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4.0 Mediocre
Mar. 2023
2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
This was the worst experience I have ever had with a car rental company. The associated who was to help us, didn't. He not only gave me information that was never shared ahead of time, but then when we pushed back he just said "Do you want the car or not". I have never been treated that way. We left and went to Alamo and received the best experience ever. We even were given a much cheaper price.Cons:
Do not use Dollar. I observed them treating other customers the same way. One associate was even speaking to friends while trying to help another customer. Those customers just walked away. Such poor customer service.6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
Almost a 2 hour wait in line to get the car!!4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Drop off was easy.Cons:
There was one agent working on a Saturday afternoon so the line took 1.5hrs to get to the rental counter. Once we got to the counter, the agent told us where to pick up our car and that someone would meet us there. The area he directed us to for our car was empty, no cars. When we finally tracked down what we thought was a clean car and someone to us it was another 25 minutes. While leaving the garage we realized the car was not clean at all. There was trash on the floor, sand on the inside of the doors and pieces of food all over. The check out person didn’t seem to care. As we left the rental car center and proceeded to get on the highway the car started shaking severely at 45 mph. I called Dollar to let them know about the cleanliness and the shaking. The first agent I spoke to told me to fill out something online about the cleanliness that didn’t exist. She then transferred me to someone else. I waited another hour on hold to explain the shaking issue primarily so I wouldn’t be responsible for the damage. No one ever answered. Everything about this could have been better.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
The car was clean and well maintained. Being offered a choice of vehicles was great.Cons:
We were not informed of Florida Toll road processes. Since we did not set up toll road options when renting we were unable to use FL tolls without added expense. We also were told we could not add a spouse as an additional driver without an added fee. That was very annoying. It was clear the individual who checked us in hated his job and the customers he was helping.6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
We had made a reservation before our trip to rent a car, when we waited at the rental car counter desk for half an hour, there were only two agents on staff while fifty people waited to get served. When our turn was called, we gave the clerk our confirmation information they said they had no record of our car rental information, that we had already paid in advance for the rental, we had to reapply and start from scratch to fill out forms, this took another half hour while others had to wait longer, then there was only one agent because the other agent took a break, by this time we just wanted to get our car and get on with our business. Bottom line, we paid twice for the rental. No excuse for this to happen, we will never use Dollar again. We made this reservation on March 9 2021 and paid $ 117.00. # J 6951858720. Rental record at Tampa was : 919092370, For all of the inconvenience and embarrassment at Tampa airport, we feel we are entitled to a refund for the $117.00, thank you. Rebecca & William DiNuoscio 1714 Edwin Drive Bel Air, Md. 21015 443:640-4056 rjdinuoscio@gmail.comPayless
6.5
Okay
419 reviewsCleanliness
6.8
Comfort
7.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.7
Value for money
6.4
One location in Tampa
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8.0 Very good
Apr. 2021
Pros:
Friendly, quick staff. No issues whatsoever.Cons:
The vehicle was very basic. This wasn't really a problem based on our needs and we did choose economy, but I can't think of anything else that could have been better- other than maybe price but I realize this is a supply/demand issue.4.0 Mediocre
Jan. 2021
Pros:
Once we actually got to a staff member (after waiting in line for over an hour because the Payless, Avis, and Budget counters were all combined), he was very polite and helpful. The car was new and it was very nice. Drop off was an ease.Cons:
A warning at least would have been nice about the lack of staffing or the possible extended wait times. The fact that I set a pick up time and expected to go to the counter to get my car, but waited in line for over an hour instead was frustrating to say the least. I have appreciated an offered substantial upgrade or refund for the inconvenience.4.8 Mediocre
Jan. 2020
Pros:
I like the vehicle.Cons:
The truck was not cleaned inside or out from the previous renter. We found water bottles, toothpaste, towels, Etc. It should be noted on my paperwork.8.4 Very good
Nov. 2019
Cons:
A somewhat different type of car than we booked (got a minivan instead of an SUV) but it did the job well enough.9.2 Wonderful
Oct. 2019
Pros:
The staff member in Tampa was terrific. We wanted to rent a Jeep Cherokee, and he went out of his way to ensure we got one. Thanks!Cons:
The car was overall very clean, but there was a bit of sand in the back seat of the vehicle. I suppose that's to be expected since it was Florida and beach season. At any rate, it didn't bother us in the slightest and the experience was great.4.0 Mediocre
Mar. 2019
Cons:
There is no customer service department available to call.Hertz
6.3
Okay
980 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.3
Value for money
6.3
10 locations in Tampa
Locations in Tampa
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6.0 Okay
Nov. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2022
6.0 Okay
Jan. 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Jan. 2022