Explore Tampa Bay with a rental car delivered to your door. ConnectCar serves TPA airport, the cruise terminal, downtown Tampa, Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg, and the entire Tampa Bay metro area.
Tampa International Airport is consistently ranked among the best airports in the United States, known for its efficient layout, short security wait times, and convenient ground transportation options. TPA serves over 23 million passengers annually and is a gateway for travelers visiting Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater Beach, and the broader Gulf Coast of Florida. The airport features a central terminal connected to six airsides via automated people movers.
ConnectCar delivers rental vehicles directly to TPA, meeting you at the terminal pickup area after your flight arrives. While TPA does have an on-site rental car center on the ground level, ConnectCar's delivery service means your specific vehicle is waiting for you — not whatever model happens to be available at the counter. You choose your exact car from our fleet of 80+ vehicles online, and that is the car our driver brings to you. No upgrades pushed at the counter, no "similar vehicle" substitutions, no waiting in line behind dozens of other travelers.
TPA's location is ideal for reaching any part of Tampa Bay. The airport sits just five miles from downtown Tampa, with easy access to I-275 (which crosses the bay to St. Petersburg), I-4 (which heads east to Orlando), and the Veterans Expressway (which connects to the northern suburbs and the Suncoast Parkway). From TPA, you can reach Clearwater Beach in about 25 minutes, downtown St. Petersburg in about 30 minutes, and Busch Gardens in 15 minutes.
Port Tampa Bay is one of Florida's major cruise ports, home-porting ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. The cruise terminal is located on Channelside Drive, adjacent to the vibrant Sparkman Wharf entertainment district and minutes from downtown Tampa and the historic Ybor City neighborhood. The port primarily serves Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, and Bahamas itineraries, with some ships offering longer voyages to Mexico, Central America, and Cuba.
ConnectCar delivers rental vehicles to the Port Tampa Bay terminal area, providing a seamless transition between your cruise and your land-based exploration. Many cruise passengers fly into TPA a day or two before their sailing and use a ConnectCar rental to explore Tampa, visit Busch Gardens, drive to Clearwater Beach, or tour St. Petersburg's museums and waterfront before boarding their ship. After your cruise, having a car waiting means you can drive directly to the airport, extend your trip with a few more days of Gulf Coast exploration, or head to Orlando and the theme parks.
Downtown Tampa has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, with the Riverwalk connecting over two miles of waterfront parks, museums, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The Tampa Riverwalk stretches from Sparkman Wharf through Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park to Armature Works, passing the Tampa Museum of Art, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and the Tampa Convention Center. The area is home to major corporate headquarters, the University of Tampa, and a growing residential population.
Just northeast of downtown, Ybor City is Tampa's historic Latin Quarter, founded in the 1880s as a cigar manufacturing center. Today it is a National Historic Landmark District known for its nightlife, Cuban restaurants, craft breweries, and unique shops along Seventh Avenue. Ybor City is a must-visit for anyone interested in Tampa's cultural heritage, and having a rental car makes it easy to combine a visit to Ybor with stops at other Tampa attractions.
ConnectCar delivers to all downtown Tampa hotels, the Convention Center, Ybor City accommodations, and the surrounding neighborhoods including Channelside, Harbour Island, and Davis Islands. Whether you are in Tampa for a convention, a business trip, or a weekend getaway, having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to explore the city's diverse neighborhoods at your own pace.
Clearwater Beach is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States and is the most popular Gulf Coast destination in the Tampa Bay area. Its sugar-white sand and calm, warm waters attract millions of visitors each year. The beachfront along Mandalay Avenue is lined with resorts, restaurants, and shops, and the famous Pier 60 sunset celebration draws crowds every evening with street performers, artisans, and spectacular Gulf of Mexico sunsets.
St. Petersburg, located on the Pinellas Peninsula across Tampa Bay, has emerged as one of Florida's most dynamic cities. The downtown St. Pete waterfront features the Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the recently renovated St. Pete Pier. The Grand Central District and Central Avenue corridor offer an eclectic mix of independent restaurants, craft breweries, vintage shops, and art galleries. St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille, and Treasure Island provide additional stretches of beautiful Gulf Coast sand.
A rental car is essential for exploring the Tampa Bay beach communities, as they stretch along a narrow barrier island chain with limited public transit connections. ConnectCar delivers to Clearwater Beach hotels, downtown St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach, and all points along Gulf Boulevard. Our convertibles are the number one choice for Tampa Bay beach visitors — there is no better way to experience the Gulf Coast than cruising along the water with the top down.
We deliver your rental car anywhere in the Tampa Bay metro area
All airsides at Tampa International Airport — consistently rated a top US airport
Port Tampa Bay cruise terminal for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Norwegian sailings
Business district hotels, the Convention Center, and historic Ybor City
Delivery to Clearwater Beach hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals
Downtown St. Pete, the Dali Museum area, and St. Pete Beach
Business corridor hotels and residential neighborhoods near the airport
Explore the entire Tampa Bay region on your own schedule
Convertibles, SUVs, and fun vehicles perfect for the Gulf Coast lifestyle. Cruise Clearwater Beach or haul surfboards to the coast.
Comprehensive commercial coverage on every rental. Liability, collision, and comprehensive — no surprise charges at pickup.
SunPass transponder in every vehicle for seamless toll road access on the Selmon Expressway, Veterans, and Suncoast Parkway.
Early morning cruise departures, late-night TPA arrivals — we deliver and pick up at any hour across the Tampa Bay area.
Covering Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and all of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties
Common questions about renting a car in Tampa Bay
ConnectCar delivers your vehicle directly to TPA. We track your flight in real time and our driver meets you at the terminal pickup zone after you collect your luggage. The handoff takes just a few minutes — we walk you through the vehicle, hand over the keys, and you drive straight to your destination. No shuttle rides to a rental car center.
Yes. Port Tampa Bay is one of our popular delivery points. Whether you need a car before your cruise to explore Tampa, Clearwater Beach, or St. Petersburg, or want one waiting when you return, we coordinate vehicle delivery with your sailing schedule. The cruise terminal is located on Channelside Drive, minutes from downtown Tampa and Ybor City.
Absolutely. Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg are within our Tampa Bay delivery area. We deliver to beachfront hotels, downtown St. Pete accommodations, and vacation rentals throughout Pinellas County. Having a rental car lets you explore the entire Tampa Bay coastline, from Clearwater south through Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island, and St. Pete Beach.
The Tampa area has several toll roads including the Selmon Expressway, Veterans Expressway, and the Suncoast Parkway. The Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275) connecting Tampa to St. Petersburg is toll-free. All ConnectCar rentals include a SunPass transponder at no extra charge for seamless electronic toll payments.
Convertibles and SUVs are our most popular choices for Tampa Bay visitors. Convertibles are perfect for cruising along Gulf Boulevard between Clearwater and St. Pete Beach, while SUVs provide the space families need for beach gear, coolers, and luggage. We also offer economy cars for budget-conscious travelers and electric vehicles for eco-friendly trips.
From TPA airport to Clearwater Beach, from the cruise terminal to St. Petersburg — ConnectCar delivers your rental vehicle anywhere in Tampa Bay. Browse our fleet of 80+ vehicles and book today.