Car hire in
Tampa

Whatever your reason for visiting Tampa, business or leisure, we have a premium fleet designed to suit every party size and budget. Explore the large city of Tampa comfortably in compact saloons or family-sized estate cars or get out into Florida's countryside in a sturdy 4x4. Why not treat yourself to a touch of luxury by selecting one of our sports cars or convertibles? All of our rental cars are supplied by trusted names like BMW, Jaguar, Audi or Mercedes-Benz and we also offer rental vehicles adapted for different mobility needs. Browse our attractive range of extras for useful Sat Navs and child seats or take advantage of our Express Toll Service to make your Florida journeys go smoothly. Look out for deals on unlimited mileage, additional drivers and extra insurance and we are always happy to insure younger drivers under 25.

Our car rental agency is located within the airport at arrivals, simple consult with Information if you're having trouble or look for our iconic Sixt logo! Once there our desk is clearly signposted. When you have your car keys getting into the city centre takes just ten minutes on the Interstate-275.

Tampa is an exciting mix of old and new architecture which means that road priorities are sometimes changed to allow for new developments. However, your Sat Nav will help you navigate these without getting lost. As in any large city morning and evening rush hours should be avoided if possible. Tampa has good road connections to the rest of Florida so heading off for days out is easy whether you choose the fast interstate highways or more relaxed coastal and country roads.

Tampa has a generous amount of parking spaces either in secured garages or metered street zones. Most tourist attractions and large shopping malls also have their own parking facilities. If you wish, payment can generally be made by smartphone.

As you drive around Tampa in your car hire you will discover that it is split into three distinct districts, Downtown Tampa, North Tampa and Ybor City, each with their own unique characteristics. In Downtown Tampa you have Davis and Harbour Islands with their beautiful waterfront and the Tampa Museum of Art. When you get to North Tampa, a visit to Lowry Zoo, one of the best-rated in the United States is a must. Make sure to pay a visit to its Manatee Hospital. The Museum of Science and Industry is also here, its hands-on displays guarantee a fun day out for all ages. Ybor City is a cosmopolitan spot with street markets and artists along with a cigar factory and museum. To get the most out of this National Historic Landmark District hop on one of its famous vintage streetcars.

Although you will never be short of something to do in or near Tampa, one of its most popular attractions is the Florida Aquarium. Follow the story of a drop of rain as its journey begins in a Florida swamp. It travels through Florida's aquifer and along rivers before finally passing through the Gulf of Mexico to end up in the Atlantic Ocean. What makes this aquarium so unique, though, is that if you are a qualified scuba diver and over 15 you can slip into the water and get up close with sharks, turtles, fish and eels while you drift through its beautiful coral reef. And, even if you are not a diver, watching them through the viewing glass is great fun.

Another big draw in Tampa is Busch Gardens, a successful combination of great scenery, thrilling amusement park and top-notch zoo. There is plenty here to occupy the family for a whole day or more.

Distances to Busch Gardens

From Tampa Airport: 16 miles, about 20 minutes- From Downtown Tampa: 9.5 miles, about 15 minutes

With an ever-changing programme of exhibitions and performances The John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art is home to one of the United State's greatest cultural collections. Established nearly a century ago it was inspired by the love the circus couple had for Sarasota in Italy. Now the whole town is called Sarasota.

Distances to Sarasota

• From Tampa Airport: 58.4 miles, about 1 hour 10 minutes
• From Downtown Tampa: 63.8 miles, about 1 hour 5 minutes

If the often outrageous work of Salvador Dali fascinates you, then you will find the largest collection of his work outside of Europe at the Salvador Dali Museum in St Petersburg. It is also home to a collection of iconic 20th-century art films such as the noir works of Luis Bunuel.

Distances to the Salvador Dali Museum

• From Tampa Airport: 21.3 miles, about 25 minutes
• From Downtown Tampa: 24.5 miles, about 30 minutes

The arrival of the cigar making industry at the end of the 19th-century turned the small sleepy town of Tampa into a bustling and cosmopolitan city. Today its port and the MacDill Air Force Base are major employers while finance, insurance and tourism are all important economic sectors. The Tampa Convention Centre was built in 1990 on the site of the old Fort Brooke.

• From Tampa Airport: 8 miles, about 15 minutes
• From Downtown Tampa: 1 mile, about 5 minutes