Travelling from Los Angeles to Tampa: what you need to know
Set off on your next big adventure from one of Los Angeles's main airports, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY). Explore the options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to Tampa departing from either of these bases.
The major gateways to Tampa are Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE).
Around 4 hours 40 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Los Angeles to Tampa flight.
The timezone in Tampa is UTC-5, which is three hours ahead of Los Angeles.
The most popular route for flights from Los Angeles to Tampa is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tampa International Airport (TPA). There are 27 services between these two airports every week.
To ensure you catch your Los Angeles to Tampa flight, leave enough time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Flying during a peak time such as July? Major public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to Tampa
To pick up cheap Los Angeles to Tampa flights, book as early as possible. Airlines usually offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Los Angeles to Tampa throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to search every day to see if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll tell you as soon as a better deal is available on cheap flights from Los Angeles to Tampa.
Find an affordable Los Angeles to Tampa flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Take off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Tampa. From LAX, you can fly directly into Tampa International Airport (TPA).
You can choose from a range of carriers offering direct Los Angeles to Tampa plane tickets with departures from LAX, including:
The journey from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 1 hour by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After an easy start to your journey? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Los Angeles to Tampa or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Los Angeles International Airport has an excellent on-time performance, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from LAX arrive on schedule 80% of the time.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Arriving in Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) to central Tampa takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 8 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport takes about 35 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Los Angeles to Tampa, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near TPA:
Grab a Tampa International Airport rental car and explore Tampa and beyond with your own set of wheels. Dollar, Budget and Thrifty are top outlets you can book with here.
Booking your ride from Tampa International Airport about one week in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.
You'll find TPA at 5507 West Spruce Street.
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
After your flight from Los Angeles to Tampa has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in about 35 minutes by car. Central Tampa is approximately 24 kilometres from St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE).
Public transport will get you there in around 1 hour 30 minutes.
After your flight from Los Angeles to Tampa, unwind at a hotel close to PIE. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Budget, Alamo and Avis make picking up a St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport rental car easy and quick. These companies are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Get the vehicle you actually want, not just what's left, by booking your ride from PIE in advance. You'll also avoid last-minute price hikes, especially during peak travel times.
You can find St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport at Suite 221 - Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Tampa
March is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles to Tampa, while April is the most popular. Pick the ideal time to visit Tampa based on whether you want a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your Los Angeles to Tampa tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. August is the warmest month in Tampa, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to Tampa in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 9ºC (48ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF) on average.
More about Tampa
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in Tampa right here. Explore these options once you've locked in your flight from Los Angeles to Tampa:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa at Lowry Park are top attractions which should be on any well-planned Tampa itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Jacksonville is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Tampa. Around 274 kilometres to the north, check out popular attractions including St. John's Cathedral, MOCA (Museum Of Contemporary Art), Jacksonville and Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens.
If you're looking to explore another great destination in the United States, consider Miami, about 338 kilometres southeast of Tampa. Close Beach, Ocean Dr and Port of Miami are the start of reasons to visit.








