Tampa Port Guide
About Port Tampa Bay
The Tampa cruise port is officially named “Port Tampa Bay.” Of the many ports in Florida, it’s one of the smallest, serving just over 1 million cruise passengers annually. With Margaritaville at Sea recently starting sailings from Tampa, that number will continue to rise. In addition to Margaritaville at Sea, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line depart from this port.
Florida is home to several cruise ports, including two of the biggest in the world — Port Miami and Port Canaveral — and Port Tampa Bay is very small in comparison. I like this port because it isn’t as bustling as the giant ones, but it’s still well-run with efficient boarding, and the terminal is clean and modern. Despite its smaller size, I’ve found it to run just as smoothly and efficiently as the bigger ports.
Port Tampa Bay accommodates a variety of watercraft but only has three terminals specifically allocated for cruise ships: Terminals #2, #3, and #6, making it quite easy to navigate. Cruisers can determine their departure terminal by consulting the cruise documents provided by the cruise line. Still, upon arrival at the port, signage will indicate where each cruise ship is docked.
The address of the Tampa cruise port is, in general, located on Channelside Drive, but the specific addresses per terminal are as follows: Terminal #2 is 651 Channelside Drive, and its corresponding parking garage address is 810 Channelside Drive, and Terminal #3 is 815 Channelside Drive, and its parking garage is shared with Terminal #2 with the same address (810 Channelside Drive). The Terminal #6 address is the same as the address for its corresponding parking lot: 1331 McKay Street.
Getting to Port Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay is about 15 miles from TPA (Tampa International Airport), which is approximately a 20-30 minute drive, depending upon traffic.
Cruisers flying to Tampa may also consider searching for flights to St. Petersburg (PIE) (14.6 miles), given how close it is to Port Tampa Bay and the fact that there sometimes can be a substantial difference in airfare pricing between airports.
While it's more of a hike to get to Port Tampa Bay from Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ) (39.4 miles) and Orlando (MCO) (78.1 miles) and would likely require a car rental, these are other options worth pricing out.
If you fly to Tampa a night or two before your cruise and stay at a hotel near the Tampa Airport, a complimentary shuttle service from TPA to your hotel may be provided by the hotel, so that's worth inquiring about if you're looking for ways to save money.
Best Options to Get from Tampa Airport to Port Tampa Bay
- Cruise Line Transfer: Most cruise lines offer transfer service, and Carnival’s service from TPA to Port Tampa Bay, as one example, is $24.99 per person. This is booked directly through your cruise line.
- Hotel Shuttle: Some Tampa hotels offer an optional (shared) shuttle service for guests to get them to the cruise port. This service is usually not provided as a free amenity and is often more expensive than the other transfer options.
- Rideshare: When it comes to getting to the port, I typically recommend using Uber. For this particular route from the Tampa Airport vicinity to Port Tampa Bay, Uber charges $38-$55, depending on the time of day and other factors, but that is for up to four passengers.
- Private Transfer: Cruisers can book their own private transfer service, which is much more convenient than cruise line transfer service or hotel transfer services, which are typically on a bus or shuttle with other cruisers. Get Transfer offers transfer service for up to three people from Tampa Airport to Port Tampa Bay starting at $40, or cruisers traveling in a larger group can book a van for up to 8 people starting at $61 or a minibus for up to 16 people starting at $119.
- Public Transportation: The TECO Line Streetcar is free to ride and runs a route that takes travelers to a stop at Channelside Drive, which is the location of the three Tampa terminals.
The TPA website has an excellent comprehensive summary of up-to-date transportation options, including pricing.
Port Tampa Parking
The Port Tampa Bay parking garage is located across the street from the central cruise terminal at 815 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602. Signs on-site direct cruise passengers to the garage.
Self-parking rates are $15.75 per day, and cruisers can pay a $20 one-time additional fee to enjoy the convenience of valet service. With valet service, cruisers can pull right into the terminal area, and a valet will park their car for them and then have it waiting for them when they later disembark the ship.
Parking can be purchased in advance directly from the Port Tampa Bay website, although no reservation is required. However, if you plan to park an oversized vehicle over 7’2″, which costs $36.50 per day, booking in advance is advisable, as these spaces are very limited and can sell out far in advance.
Port Schedule
The Port Tampa Bay cruise schedule can be found directly on the port’s website.
Things to Do in Tampa Before a Cruise
If you have time to kill in Tampa before embarking on a cruise, consider a morning in Ybor City. There are locations in this charming and historic district, which is located less than three miles from port, where you can pay a small fee to securely store your bags and then explore the many nearby stores and restaurants before your cruise.
Popular Tampa attractions include the Busch Gardens theme park, Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, and Tampa Riverwalk.
Best Tampa Hotels for Cruisers
If you’re staying in Tampa the night before a cruise out of Port Tampa Bay, you’ll find lots of great hotel options, many of them close to the port and some with shuttle service, although the numerous choices can make the hotel decision feel overwhelming.
My recommendations for affordable Tampa hotels, which are below, include a caveat. During peak times in the area, such as when Tampa’s annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival or other significant events occur, hotel pricing can spike due to high demand. In this case, budget-conscious cruisers might consider properties in nearby Clearwater, Brandon, or Dundein that will be much more affordable during these festivities.
Downtown Tampa is a great place to stay, and less than two miles from the port, but it’s a pricier location, so cruisers seeking an affordable hotel will find more budget-friendly options by the Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is only about seven miles from Port Tampa Bay. Hotels adjacent to Port Tampa Bay generally cost more than hotels in the airport area, but many cruisers still go that route simply for the convenience of location.
Affordable Tampa Hotels Near Cruise Port
Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District
Address: 1155 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, Florida
Of all the hotel options in the Port Tampa Bay area, this is one of the closest, at a little more than half a mile and walkable in under 10 minutes. It’s also the rare hotel that provides a free shuttle to the cruise port, and the times the shuttle runs vary daily depending on the cruise port schedule.
Another benefit of this property for budget-savvy cruisers is that it offers free hot breakfast—none of that continental business. Parking is high, though, at $32.25 per day, but cruisers parking for a more extended period can get $11.99 daily parking through Rightway Parking, a third-party parking provider.
Home2Suites by Hilton Channel District
Address: 1155 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida
Another hotel that’s less than a mile from the Tampa cruise port is Home2Suites, where cruisers can reach their terminal in just about a 12-minute walk, depending on the terminal. Guests staying here enjoy free hot breakfast, buffet-style, from 6-10 am, and a free shuttle to the port, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Like with Hampton Inn, nightly parking here is high at $30 per day, but the property recommends that cruisers parking there during their cruise book through third-party parking provider Rightway Parking for better pricing at around $11.99 per day.
Tampa Airport Hotel Option
Quality Inn Tampa Airport
1020 South Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida
Cruisers who prefer a more affordable option and don’t mind being a bit further from the port often choose this property. This is also an excellent choice for cruisers who fly in on a late flight. The benefits of staying here are that it’s close to the airport for cruisers flying in, and they also offer a free shuttle to the property from the Tampa Airport.
In addition, shuttle service is available to the cruise port for $10 per person, set up at check-in; although, unless you’re a solo cruiser, Uber is likely a more affordable choice at around $13-20 per ride. Parking here is $12 per day, but the cheaper option for those parking during their cruise is the property’s “park and cruise” package, which includes a one-night stay, up to 14 days of parking, and cruise port shuttle service for two. Free hot breakfast is available from 6-9 am.
These are all great hotels in Tampa, consistently highly ranked by cruisers sailing from Port Tampa Bay. However, I advise folks not to book them (or any property) just because they offer a shuttle to the cruise port. Instead, consider convenience, hotel ratings, location, and other amenities when deciding.
Exploring the Tampa Cruise Port
Please note that I spent a lot of time researching these properties, including calling them to get the most accurate and up-to-date information. While I try to keep my hotel posts updated and current, this is all subject to change. If you see anything that needs updating, please email me so I can keep my posts as current as possible.
