Tampa's Budget-Friendly Day Trip Delights

Experience Tampa Bay without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Explore Tampa, Florida on a limited budget, and have a great time visiting the many sightseeing attractions at a low cost. Check out popular activities such as Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and Ybor City. Enjoy the outdoors with a visit to the local parks, such as Lettuce Lake Regional Park or Al Lopez Park.

Day trip plan

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Day

A Taste of Tampa's Local Flavors

  • Start the day at Daily Eats for some delicious breakfast tacos and bottomless coffee
  • Take a stroll through the vibrant and colorful Ybor City neighborhood, known for its cigar-making history
  • Take a tour of the famous Columbia Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Florida, and enjoy some of their famous Spanish-style tapas
  • Head over to the Tampa Riverwalk and indulge in some sweet treats at the Riverwalk’s Sweet Spot
  • End the day with a refreshing drink at the Sail Pavilion, a waterside bar with stunning views of Tampa Bay

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Tampa by plane is to fly into Tampa International Airport, located just a 10-minute drive from downtown Tampa. Major airlines such as Delta, American Airlines, and United all offer multiple flights to Tampa from major cities across the United States.

Car

The best way to get to Tampa by car is to take either I-75 or I-4, both of which connect Tampa to other major cities across the United States. Tampa is located about an hour and a half southeast of Orlando on I-4, and about four hours southwest of Jacksonville on I-75.

Train

Unfortunately, there is no train station in Tampa. However, if you are traveling from other cities in Florida, Amtrak offers several routes that go through nearby cities such as Orlando and Miami, with connecting bus service to Tampa.

Boat

While there is no direct way to get to Tampa by boat, there are several nearby ports such as the Port of Tampa and the Port of St. Petersburg that offer cruise ship service to destinations throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. Tampa is located just a short drive from both ports, making it a popular pre- and post-cruise destination for many travelers.

Bus

The best way to get to Tampa by bus is to take Greyhound, which offers multiple daily buses to Tampa from cities across the United States. The Tampa Greyhound Station is located in downtown Tampa, just a few blocks from popular attractions such as the Tampa Riverwalk and Amalie Arena.

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