Travelling from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) to Tampa: what you need to know
The timezone in Tampa is UTC-5. The city is one hour ahead of Panama City, where Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is located.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your ECP to Tampa flight. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you travel during high season in general.
Travelling from central Panama City to ECP takes around 1 hour 15 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Staying the night at a hotel can take the hassle out of arriving at the airport on time. If you need somewhere to stay before your flight from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa, consider Hilton Garden Inn Panama City Airport. It's a short ride from ECP.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport has an excellent on-time performance, making delays less likely. Departures from ECP arrive at their destination as scheduled 82% of the time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) to Tampa
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa flight is 160 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 320 €. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from ECP to Tampa, book as early as you can. Airlines typically offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets are first released.
Scoring cheap tickets from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa is more likely if you're flexible with your travel dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to access the best prices across the month and land an awesome deal.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from ECP to Tampa by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa.
Airports in Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is around 11 kilometres from central Tampa. If you're opting for a ride-share or a taxi, the drive takes about 20 minutes.
Travelling to the centre by public transport takes around 35 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa. Check in to one of these accommodation options near TPA instead:
Booking your vehicle from Tampa International Airport about one week ahead of your flight from ECP to Tampa can help you secure the lowest rate.
You'll find TPA at 5507 West Spruce Street.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
After your flight from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in about 35 minutes by car. Central Tampa is roughly 32 kilometres from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE).
If you choose to travel on public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
There are some great places to park your luggage (and yourself) near PIE. Kick back and get cosy after your ECP to Tampa flight at one of these well-located options:
Save time at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Secure your ride from PIE in advance so you can just grab the keys and be on your way.
The address for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is Suite 221 - Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Tampa
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa. March is the busiest month for a trip to Tampa. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go in December.
The warmest month in Tampa is August, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 9ºC (48ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from ECP to Tampa around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Tampa
Once you've booked your flight from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport to Tampa, find a hotel that offers both comfort and a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Tampa:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. The Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens Tampa and ZooTampa at Lowry Park are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Tampa itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen Tampa, now it's time to explore more of the United States. Journey about 274 kilometres north to Jacksonville to tick off its top sights. From St. John's Cathedral to Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If there's time to check out another side of the United States, consider Miami, roughly 338 kilometres southeast of Tampa. Beach, Ocean Drive and Port of Miami are key reasons to visit.