car rental close to tampa,fl. cruise port
We arrive in November by cruise ship to the Tampa,fl. cruise port. We will need to rent a car, could someone please inform of the closest car rental to the port.
Thanks, Tom
If you are arriving at the Tampa cruise port and need a rental car, you’re in luck because there are several convenient options nearby. The cruise terminal is located on Channelside Drive, and most major rental companies have locations within a short drive or shuttle ride from the port.
Some points to keep in mind:
- The closest car rentals are generally found at the Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is about a 20–25 minute drive from the cruise port, but many companies provide shuttle service from the port to their downtown or airport locations.
- Some rental companies have local downtown offices near the port itself, which can save you travel time compared to going to the airport.
- Booking in advance is recommended, especially in November, as it’s a popular month for cruises and rentals can fill up quickly.
Specific car rental companies near the Tampa cruise port include:
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car – several downtown Tampa locations, some offering shuttle service to the port.
- Hertz – a downtown Tampa branch a few minutes from the cruise terminal.
- Avis/Budget – combined downtown location close to Channelside Drive, with easy port access.
- Alamo/National – typically located at TPA, with shuttles available from the port.
- Sixt – downtown Tampa location reachable via a short drive or Uber from the cruise terminal.
Additional tips:
- If you prefer to pick up a car immediately after your cruise, contact your rental company in advance to see if they offer port pickup or shuttle service.
- Consider using ride-share apps like Uber or Lyft to get from the cruise terminal to the rental location if there is no direct shuttle.
- Compare rates for downtown vs. airport locations, as sometimes airport rentals can be slightly cheaper even with the extra travel time.
Overall, downtown Tampa locations are your most convenient option for a quick turnaround after disembarking your cruise, but all major companies are within easy reach either by shuttle or a short ride-share drive.
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