Do I need a visitor toll pass?

Question

My itinerary is Tampa Airport (car pick up) to Orlando and around and then back to Tampa Airport. Within Orlando, I am going Island of Adventure, Seaworld, Volcano Bay. Nearby I have planned for Clearwater beach, Disney Spring, ICON Park, Kennedy Space Center, Croloya Experience.

Do I need Visitor Toll Pass along with my car rental? Will Sunpass be provided by car renter (Avis), and be sufficient/similar cost for my route?

Answer

When driving in Florida, most major highways and expressways, especially around Orlando and Tampa, use tolls. Visitor toll passes can simplify paying these tolls without needing exact change at toll booths.

Since you are renting from Avis at Tampa Airport, your rental may include a SunPass transponder. SunPass is Florida’s electronic toll collection system and works on almost all toll roads, including those around Orlando (e.g., Central Florida Expressway system), Clearwater Beach routes, and the highway to Kennedy Space Center.

Here’s what to consider:

Check with Avis: Confirm if your rental includes SunPass. Most Florida rentals offer an optional SunPass for a daily fee, which allows you to drive through electronic toll lanes without stopping.
Visitor Toll Pass vs SunPass: A Visitor Toll Pass is specifically for tourists and may be purchased at airports or online. It works similarly to SunPass, but SunPass is usually more widely accepted and convenient.
Cost consideration: SunPass fees are usually charged daily plus toll usage. Visitor Toll Pass may have a flat weekly fee plus tolls. For your itinerary covering Tampa, Orlando, Clearwater, and Kennedy Space Center, SunPass will likely be sufficient and comparable in cost.

Recommendation:

Confirm with Avis whether SunPass is included or available for a small daily fee. If so, this is typically the easiest option.
Ensure your route passes through toll lanes where SunPass is accepted, which includes almost all major toll roads you plan to use.
If not included, you can purchase a Visitor Toll Pass, but it’s largely redundant if you have SunPass.

In summary, you likely do not need a separate Visitor Toll Pass if your rental includes SunPass. It will cover all toll roads for your route, be easier than handling cash at toll booths, and the total cost will be similar or slightly less than a Visitor Toll Pass for a two-week trip.

Do I need a visitor toll pass?

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