How to find a cheap car hire deal in Tampa
Whether you need a small car for zipping around town or bigger wheels for bigger plans, we'll help you find a cheap rental car in Tampa. Pick from options averaging 114 € a day and hit the road for less.
The cheapest daily price for a rental in Tampa is 9 €.
For longer trips, grab a weekly rental from 62 € and pack in more adventures.
We've cracked the code on when to book. Around one week in advance gives you the best window to grab the best price on a Tampa car hire.
Find your perfect ride with One Switch, Budget or Dollar. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Tampa car hire policy, whether you book with One Switch or another supplier. Some companies treat it as an optional extra instead of bundling it in.
Booking a one-way car hire is often a great hack for cheaper deals. Check 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes need to move vehicles from one location to another, which means you can snag some excellent one-way prices on a car for rent in Tampa.
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. No hidden refueling charges at drop-off either.
Hit the highway without watching the miles and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you drive as far as you want.
Best value car hire options right now
You'll find the best value with this company. Prices average 31 € a day.
Coming in second is this provider, which offers daily rates of around 40 €.
The third option also shows up on the list of top-value suppliers. Ride away in one of their rentals for roughly 30 € a day.
The Compact rental category is a dependable choice if you're not quite sure what kind of ride you need. It's also the car type that's booked the most in Tampa.
Flying to Tampa? Think about an airport pick-up
Take the hassle out of arrival day by booking a car hire at Tampa International Airport. If you're flying to Tampa through this hub, simply pick up your wheels after landing and head out. The drive to the city centre is about 11 kilometres and takes around 20 minutes.
Or fasten your belt and cruise off with a car hire from St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport. It'll take roughly 35 minutes to drive the 32 kilometres or so to the centre.
Compare car hire types in Tampa
Small: These cheap rental cars in Tampa may be small in size, but they're big on what matters. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to drive, great on mileage, and perfect for city runs or weekend trips.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, comfort and space. Easy to manoeuvre around cities and with enough space for longer drives, they're a great all-rounder.
Large: Long drives fly by in this Tampa car hire category. Also known as full-size, they've got the engine power for lengthy trips. The extra space and comfort make them an excellent choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and a wide-angle view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or zipping along smooth highways, many offer all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: Featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Tampa makes short work of heavy loads and large groups. They're tough, versatile, and ready to take on any task.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Tampa car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it helps cover you in a tough spot. Just remember that not all insurance policies are equal, so make sure you know exactly what's offered.
Make driving easier when you rent a car in Tampa by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras that give you confidence when parking.
Good to know
To rent a vehicle in the United States, you generally have to be at least 21 years old. Some providers may rent vehicles to younger drivers for a surcharge, so always go over the policies before confirming your booking.
If you've got the kids in tow, find out if you need to add a child car seat to your Tampa car rental booking. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.
You'll likely be asked for these three things when picking up your rental car: a valid driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit. Debit cards usually aren't accepted. The full set of requirements will be laid out in your booking.
Driving in the United States might take some adjustment for first-time visitors. Keep in mind traffic flows on the right side of the road.
Stay within the local speed limits. Usually that's around 40kph in built-up areas and 110kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United States is 0.08%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the surest choice is to avoid drinks so you remain legal to drive.
Try to travel outside heavy traffic periods for a smoother trip. 5pm is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.
You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) for all your purchases and expenses on your trip. You may find it useful to carry a mix of cards and cash so you're covered for every situation.
Best hotels in Tampa for drivers
Offering parking, Mint House Tampa Downtown by Kasa takes the guesswork out of where to leave your car. This hotel is around 0.80 kilometres from central Tampa and also comes with a pool and Wi-Fi.
Alternatively, make use of the parking at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tampa Downtown. The city centre is roughly 0.32 kilometres from this option, which also features a lobby bar and express check-out.
Browse through the range of hotels in Tampa for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find the right fit. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.
After you've found a car hire deal in Tampa and the right hotel, it's time to plan your adventures. Busch Gardens Tampa, The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa at Lowry Park are a memorable introduction to what the city has to offer.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Tampa
Keep travelling to St. Petersburg. Around 29 kilometres southwest of central Tampa, it's home to must-see sights like Chihuly Collection and St. Petersburg Pier.
Go-to accommodation options with parking in St. Petersburg include Bayview Plaza Waterfront Resort and Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina.
Add Clearwater to your list of stops. Grab your cheap car hire in Tampa and drive about 32 kilometres west to take in major highlights such as Sand Key Beach and Pier 60 Clearwater.
Clearwater has some good places to stay such as Holiday Inn & Suites Clearwater Beach by IHG and Edge Hotel Clearwater Beach. Both are convenient choices for guests with cars.
Not ready to hit the brakes just yet? Cruise on over to Cape Coral, about 161 kilometres south of Tampa. From Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve to Fourmile Cove, it'll bring your trip to a memorable close.
Book a room at Allure Suites of Fort Myers or OYO Waterfront Hotel- Cape Coral Fort Myers, FL. They make it a breeze to experience everything Cape Coral has to offer. They also come with a place to park.
