Cheap car rentals in Tampa
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People mover |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Tampa
- 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 hire 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 $135 or less
- Book your rental car in Tampa at least 3 days before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Full-size rental cars in Tampa are around -20% cheaper than other car types, on average
Tampa car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
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 hire a car in Tampa?
On average a hire car in Tampa costs $135 per day.
What is the best car hire company in Tampa?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Tampa are Sixt (7.4, 454 reviews), NextCar (7.4, 50 reviews), and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.1, 157 reviews).
How much is the price of fuel in Tampa?
The average price of fuel in Tampa is $5.72 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $69 and $91, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Tampa?
Full-size (Nissan Pathfinder or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Tampa.
Which hire car agencies are at Tampa airport (TPA)?
Car hire companies onsite at Tampa airport include Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Budget.
Which hire car agencies will pick you up at Tampa airport (TPA)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Tampa airport to off-airport locations include Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Budget.
How can I find car hires near me in Tampa?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Full Size car hire cost in Tampa?
A Full Size car hire in Tampa costs $149 per day, on average.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Tampa?
A Mini car hire in Tampa costs $140 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Tampa?
A Compact car hire in Tampa costs $65 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Tampa?
In Tampa, cars are most frequently hired at Enterprise Rent-A-Car 5405 Airport Service Rd (8 km from city centre ).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Tampa?
On average a car hire in Tampa costs $947 per week ($135 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Tampa?
On average a car hire in Tampa costs $4,060 per month ($135 per day).
Tampa car rental reviews and directory
Alamo
9.0
Wonderful
551 reviewsCleanliness
9.2
Comfort
9.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
9.0
Value for money
8.7
2 locations in Tampa
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Reviews
2.0 Poor
Sep 2023
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 priceEnterprise Rent-A-Car
7.7
Good
542 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
7.9
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.7
Value for money
7.5
20 locations in Tampa
Locations in Tampa
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2023
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.Sixt
7.4
Good
560 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
Oct 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2022
10.0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
Thrifty
6.9
Okay
437 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.8
Value for money
6.9
4 locations in Tampa
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Reviews
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
783 reviewsCleanliness
7.6
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.6
Value for money
6.6
One location in Tampa
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2.0 Poor
Dec 2023
8.0 Very Good
Nov 2023
8.0 Very Good
Nov 2023
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!!Payless
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
6.2
Okay
982 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.3
Value for money
6.2
10 locations in Tampa
Locations in Tampa
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2.0 Poor
Nov 2023
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
Budget
6.2
Okay
504 reviewsCleanliness
6.9
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
6.2
6 locations in Tampa
Filters
Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2023
2.0 Poor
Nov 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct 2023
2.0 Poor
Apr 2023
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct 2022
Ace
6.2
Okay
207 reviewsCleanliness
6.6
Comfort
6.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
6.2
One location in Tampa
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Reviews
4.0 Mediocre
Apr 2021
Pros:
My Representative was pleasant.Cons:
Only reason I ended up at ACE is because they were the only one that had a car for the time period I needed a car. They the reps are super hard sell on all the up charges when just the base rental fee was high to begin with. Not sure I would call a Nissan Versa a mid-sized car, but that was the 'similar' sized car that I had to take. Would be the last choice again.8.0 Very Good
Mar 2021
Cons:
I feel like the customer service person kept adding on extra and by the time I was done my bill was over $500 and when I booked it was around $250. She tried to add insurance until I caught that. Then told me there were tolls everywhere so then added on for tolls. I didn’t hit one toll booth. I just get money money back for tolls because it’s a scams. You would b able to tell if I hit a toll. I will not use this service only because the customer service was sneaky. I don’t like that and the toll booth is a scam.6.0 Okay
Mar 2021
Pros:
The sales guy tried to charge me more and upgrade my car for more $. The guy i got the car from and dropped it off too was very niceCons:
Sales guy could have been less pushy2.0 Poor
Feb 2021
Pros:
The price that I got when I first made the reservationCons:
If you guys could include in the total booking fee the Ensurance fees as deposits needed on arrival.2.0 Poor
Jan 2021
Cons:
They could have had a car for me. Used kayak booking site and it does not allow you to adjust the time of rental pickup. Got there at 10a and kayak set our pickup for 12p. I was told they didn’t have a car in the size I ordered. They did have a larger car for 3x the price I agreed to.2.0 Poor
Dec 2021
Pros:
Nothing I couldn’t get the car. Had to pick one up at a competitor.Cons:
Required utility bill to rent and didn’t know until I got there. First time I’ve ever heard of such a thing. Then they limited mileage and said I couldn’t leave the state. Non of which was disclosed until I got there.Fox
6.2
Okay
796 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.8
Value for money
6.2
One location in Tampa
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10.0 Wonderful
Nov 2023
10.0 Wonderful
Sep 2023
8.0 Very Good
Jun 2023
2.0 Poor
Jun 2023
4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
2 hours in line to pick up the car. Then tried to give us a rejected car from the previous customer. Hole in the flooring about the size of a baseball6.0 Okay
May 2021
Cons:
The time it took to get car, the time it took to speak with customer service via the 1-800 numberAvis
5.9
Fair
161 reviewsCleanliness
6.6
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.9
Value for money
5.9
7 locations in Tampa