Parking at Tampa Airport provides space for every trip length, from a few hours to an extended gateway. Tampa Airport parking operates three primary on-site garages and a free cell phone waiting lot, alongside several independent off-site lots clustered along Avion Park Drive and Memorial Highway.
I have recently flown out of TPA and have mapped each facility on the ground to dissect daily rates, garage layouts, EV charging access, and the exact process to get the best rates online. Whether you're on a weekend getaway or hitting the road for two weeks, this guide will help you select the right lot without overpaying.
Tampa International Airport Parking Options
Tampa International Airport parking has three official on-airport self-park garages and a dedicated cell phone lot outside the main terminal. Each lot is covered and easily accessible to the terminal, either via the SkyConnect Train or a short walk.
Tampa Airport Short-Term Garage
The Short-Term Garage is located at Levels 4-9 directly above the main terminal, providing convenient access to the check-in and baggage claim. It is an ideal choice for the passengers who visited the airport for quick pickups or drop-offs or for a one-day stay.
Access: You can easily access the check-in and baggage claim via elevator.
Vehicle Clearance: The vehicle must be within the size of 6 feet 8 inches to find a parking space, making it unsuitable for SUVs.
Payment: It accepts the SunPass Plus for automatic payment at the exit gate.
Pro Tip: I used to park my car in the hot and crowded Cell Phone Lot while waiting for my friends to land. But now I drive straight into the Short-Term Garage. TPA provides everyone with a 60-minute complimentary parking spot, so I park on Level 4 or 5, run down the elevator to the Baggage Claim, and meet my guests at the door. We put things in the trunk, drive away, and I haven't paid a dime.
Tampa Airport Long-Term Garage
The Long-Term Garage is adjacent to the main terminal. It becomes a quite obvious choice for passengers searching for long-term parking at Tampa Airport with direct access to the main terminal via a covered pedestrian walkway.
Access: The passengers can use the moving walkway at Level 4 to reach the main terminal of the airport.
Vehicle Clearance: The acceptable size of the vehicle is up to 7 feet 10 inches.
Payment: You can scan the SunPass Plus at the exit gate to make quick payment.
Pro Tip: Most people spend hours looking for a spot near the elevator. However, you can skip the crowd by moving directly to Level 4, which is directly connected to the main terminal through a covered pedestrian bridge. So, even if you park a little away from the elevators, you can walk straight to the gate using the bridge without the need of waiting for the garage terminal.
Tampa International Airport Economy Parking
The Tampa Airport economy parking comes with the lowest daily parking rate, making it an ideal choice for passengers looking for an extended parking option. It also facilitates the passengers with a restroom and E-charging facility.
Access: It is located approximately 1.2 miles from the main terminal and connected via SkyConnect Train. The station is located at Level 1, which is accessible via elevators, and it runs 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Vehicle clearance: The vehicle size of 8 feet or under is acceptable.
Payment: The garage will scan the SunPass Plus code at the exit gate and automatically deduct the charges.
Pro Tip: Take a left as soon as you enter the garage; it will take you to the nearest point from the elevator or train bridge. If you take a right or park at the first open spot you come across, you have a long way to cover with your bag.
Cell Phone Waiting Lot
The Cell Phone Lot is a free outdoor Tampa Airport parking garage with no upper limit on the height for the vehicle, as it is an uncovered lot. The garage is located right off the George J. Bean Parkway, giving direct vehicular access to passengers. The lot facilitates the passenger with E-charging, restrooms, and accessible parking. The passengers are most likely to find a spot at the Cell Phone Lot, because travelers cannot prebook its spot online.
Free EV Charging at TPA: Where to Plug In Across All Garages
Tampa International Airport has designated charging stations in all three parking garages. So, if you have an all-electric or hybrid electric vehicle, use these spaces to charge at no additional cost above the standard parking charges.
Long-Term Parking: Located at Level 4, there are eight designated charging spaces for electric vehicles, which are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
Economy Parking: Level 1 of the main terminal has four designated charging spaces between the gold and purple sections. The drivers will be served in order of arrivals.
Cell Phone Waiting Lot: The Cell Phone Lot has eight designated spaces divided between the north and south sides of the restroom. The drivers will be served on a first-come basis.
One important point: The economy and long-term Tampa Airport parking is equipped with a Level 1 charger that provides power equivalent to a standard 110V electrical outlet, as vehicles remain here for long-term, so slow charging would be an appropriate choice. Whereas, the cell phone lot is equipped with a Level 2 charger that can be plugged into a 220V outlet because the car remains here for a very short period of time.
Tampa Airport Parking Rates, Fees & Terminal Access
There are certain updates that have been brought to the Tampa Airport parking rates in 2026, and has been approved by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
| Garage | Full-Day (Gate) Rate | First Hour | Terminal Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Garage | $32 per 24 hours | Free | Elevator, directly above the terminal |
| Long-Term Garage | $26 per 24 hours | Free | Covered Level 4 walkway |
| Economy Garage | $22 per 24 hours | Free | Free SkyConnect people mover (every 2 minutes) |
Currently, all three garages provide a first-hour free parking facility; this will be very useful for those that need to pick up passengers.
After the first hour, per-visit increases are in effect until the daily maximum is reached, so an overnight or multi-day stay will never exceed the daily maximum price.
Travellers comparing the the total Tampa Airport parking cost among garages should also consider the pre-book rate (which is reflected on the parking screen when you check out at tampaairport.com/parking and is always lower than the gate price, which is shown in the table above).
For travelers who are looking for Tampa International Airport long-term parking, the walkability of the Long-Term Garage should be compared to the economy daily rate of the Economy Garage, particularly for trips of more than a week.
Off-Site Parking Options Near Tampa Airport
If you are out for a longer trip, there are numerous garages and hotels nearby TPA's Avion Park area (off of Memorial Highway and Spruce Street) operates at a lower rate.
A-1 Express Airport Parking
The A1 Express Airport Parking Tampa is a private off-site lot that is located at 5317 Avion Park Drive.
The covered parking is available at the 3rd and 4th floors, whereas the uncovered parking is available at the 5th floor.
The parking lot is situated 5-10 minutes from the airport, with a total capacity of 1,200 vehicles.
The rate for the parking starts from $8/day.
Various add-ons are offered, such as car washing and detailing service while you are away.
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport Avion Park Westshore
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Airport Avion is primarily a hotel and offers parking as an additional service. This is an ideal choice for passengers looking for overnight parking near the airport.
Hampton Tampa Airport Avion Park is an uncovered self-parking option available at $15/day.
The hotel provides a complimentary airport shuttle that runs every 30 minutes. The pickup zones are at the ground transportation areas at Red 1, Red 2, Blue 1, and Blue 2 on Level 1 of the Main Terminal.
Memorial Airport Parking
If you want to park your vehicle for an extended period, Memorial Airport parking becomes one of the top choices with its special offer of providing one day of free parking for every 10 days of parking.
It is located just 1.5 miles from the airport and provide a quick shuttle to and from the airport.
Register for their Loyalty Program and receive one free day of parking every 10 days of parking.
Park your car for $18/day, and pay approximately $33/day for oversize parking.
Conclusion
When picking a Tampa Airport parking spot, one thing was clear that the most affordable garage is not the most convenient, nor the closest parking spot is the best. The Level 4 walkway in the Long-Term Garage is helpful to many first-time visitors and can be a money saver if spending a few days. Another thing to consider is that there are limited parking spaces for electric vehicles and is provided on first come basis. Off-site lots may provide significant savings for longer trips, but the time it takes to get to and from the shuttle needs to be taken into account.
Frequently Asked Questions
The maximum daily rate at Tampa Airport ranges from $22 to $32, depending on the parking garage.
The cheapest way to park at Tampa Airport is to park outside the airport. The off-site parking rate starts as low as $4.50.
Tampa International Airport provides both on-site and off-site parking lots. For convenience, you can choose an on-site garage, whereas an off-site garage is a preferred choice for affordable rates.
Yes, the passengers can park their vehicle for free at the Cell Phone Lot. However, these are outside the main terminal and do not provide shuttle service.
You can park your vehicle for a maximum of 45 days in all three garages, including Short-Term, Long-Term, and Economy garages.