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Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland

Located in the centre of Florida, Lakeland is a little city well-known for combining a rich history, an active community, and beautiful natural surroundings. With its charming lakes, such as the well-known Lake Mirror and Lake Hollingsworth, Lakeland provides an oasis of peace for both leisure travellers and adventure enthusiasts.

To reach Lakeland from Tampa Airport, you can take a cab or a private shuttle from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL. Another choice is to take line 30 bus from the airport to Marion Transit Centre, from where you can walk to the Tampa Union Station to catch an Amtrack train to Lakeland. Alternatively, you you can take a bus to the city centre and catch a Greyhound bus to Lakeland.

For a fixed price and the smoothest ride in a modern vehicle, you can pre-book your Welcome airport taxi transfer.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Tampa at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €104 45min 24/7
Bus €30 130min 04:45–23:45
Bus + Train €30 500min 09:10–13:40

How to get from Tampa airport to Lakeland, FL by taxi

The easiest way to get from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL is to get a taxi for a relaxing and enjoyable direct transfer. The distance between TPA to Lakeland, FL is around 44 miles (70 km) and the ride takes around 44 minutes in light traffic. 

For ultimate convenience, you can pre-book an airport taxi with a reputable shuttle service from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL. That way, someone will be already waiting for you at the Arrivals gate, even if your flight is delayed! If your travel plans aren’t yet finalised, you can amend your booking up until the last minute. 

How much is a taxi from Tampa Airport to Lakeland?

There is no fixed price to go from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland, and fares are calculated by taximeter. The final price will depend on factors like actual distance, travelling time, and traffic. The estimate for a ride from Tampa Airport to Lakeland is around $113 (€104) but it can vary.

There is no change of fare depending on day or night, nor surcharge for luggage. If you prefer a fixed price, you can pre-book your private shuttle with Welcome Pickups. You’ll also be offered a complimentary mini tour of the city and hear about the top local recommendations. 

Cost

€104

Trip Duration

45 Min.

*Prices will vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Tampa Airport.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Taxis are located on both sides of the airport in rank. To find them, you can follow signs for Ground Transportation. 

Convenience

Taking a taxi ride from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL is really easy, comfortable, and convenient. Nothing compares to the comfort of getting off your plane and into a waiting taxi, especially after a busy trip. You can sit back, unwind, and let the driver take you to your Lakeland destination without worrying about parking or navigating public transportation.

Editor’s Note

The official taxi company of Tampa Airport is YellowCab. There are other private shuttle services, but their fares might be more than the ones mentioned here.

Useful Tips

Tipping your taxi driver is expected, around 10-20%.
All vehicles charge the same, so if you have a larger group, try to find one that can accommodate all of you.
Taxi drivers don’t carry a lot of change in their vehicles, so it's best to have smaller notes and coins on you if you plan to pay with cash in US dollars (USD).

How to get from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL by bus

You can take the bus from Tampa Airport to reach Lakeland, FL, but this includes making a transfer mid-way.

You can take the bus 30, which departs every half hour from the Tampa Airport to Marion Transit Center and from there, get a bus with the company Greyhound to Lakeland. The trip will take approximately 45 minutes to get from the airport to the transit center, and around 30 minutes to get from there to Lakeland.

How much is the bus from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL?

The Line 30 bus tickets are $2 (€1.80) for adults and free for children under 4. The tickets from Tampa City to Lakeland can vary in price from around $13 to $20 (€12-18) as prices vary depending on demand.

Cost

€15

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 15 Min.

The wait for the bus from the airport can be up to 60 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Line 30 operates from 04:45 to 23:45.

Where do I get the bus from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL?

You can take the public bus line 30 from the south side of the Tampa Airport, at the Rental Car Facility, and from there, get the bus to Marion Transit Center. There, you’ll find the Greyhound facilities and buses.

Convenience

This option is not very convenient for large parties, people who travel with heavy luggage, or those travelling with children. However, it is an affordable option and one to take into account if you don’t mind the longer transfer times and making multiple connections.

Editor’s Note

Greyhound buses have a place to store your luggage, but not public buses. Keep it in mind if you decide to take this route.

Useful Tips

Tickets can be bought directly from the driver in line 30, but we recommend buying them in advance for the Tampa-Lakeland route.
You can pay for your tickets exclusively in cash for line 30.
While it is safe, public transport still carries a risk, so be mindful of your belongings.

How to get from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland by train

There is no direct train service from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL, but you can get a combination of public transport to get there. From the airport, you can take the Line 30 bus to the Marion Transit Center and from there, walk 10-15 min to the Tampa Union Station. There, you can get the Amtrack train to Lakeland.

How much is the Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland train?

You can get a line 30 ticket for $2 (€1.80) for adults and free for children under 2. Then, the Amtrak ticket price from Tampa to Lakeland might change depending on when you book, and availability. For a coach ticket from Tampa to Lakeland, the approximate one-way rate is $10-20 (€8.50-18).

Cost

€15

Trip Duration

4 Hr. 30 Min.

Train departs every day at 09:15, 09:40 and 13:40 daily.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Trains only have three runs a day

Where do I get the Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland train?

You can take the line 30 bus at the south side of the airport, on the rental car facilities, and from there, get off the bus at Marion Transit Center. The Amtrack station is a 10-15 minute walk from there.

Convenience

This route is not very convenient. It is not that much cheaper than a private taxi transfer for parties two or larger, and it takes almost 5 hours for what could be a 45-minute ride. It also requires a 15-minute walk and a transfer between bus and train. 

Editor’s Note

Trains are in high demand and have limited availability throughout the day, so it might be useful to pre-book your train ticket just in case.

Useful Tips

This route might be unsuitable if you travel with larger luggage pieces, as you’ll have to do part of the transfer on foot.
One additional option is to get a taxi from the airport to the Tampa Central Station for a smoother experience.
Train tickets are dynamically priced, meaning that the more demand there is, the more expensive they get. It is recommended to buy them ahead of time to get the best price.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Tampa. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€163.0
NIGHTTIME
€195.6
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How can I get from Tampa Airport to Lakeland FL?

To get from Tampa Airport to Lakeland, FL you can take a taxi or a private shuttle, which will take approximately 45 minutes to reach Lakeland. Other options are to take the line 30 bus to Marion Transit Center and from there, either take a Greyhound bus to Lakeland or walk to the Tampa Union Station to get an Amtrak to Lakeland.

What is the distance from Tampa Airport to Lakeland FL?

It is a 44-mile (70-km) trip from TPA to Lakeland, FL which takes around 45 minutes by car.

How much is a taxi from Tampa Airport to Lakeland FL?

Taxis in Tampa Airport use a taximeter, so there is no set price for a taxi from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland, FL. However, the estimate is around $113 (€104) for up to 4 passengers. You can also pre-book your private shuttle transfer for a fixed price and unlock a variety of included travel perks. 

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