The Ultimate Guide to Cheap International Flights from Tampa

Going
January 3, 2023
10 min read
Going
May 1, 2019
10 min read

The greater Tampa area is home to three international airports, and while they don’t serve as many international destinations as airports in larger Florida cities like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, it’s still possible to find some great airfare deals from this Gulf Coast city.

Here’s everything you need to know about finding cheap international flights from Tampa.

What’s the best airport for international deals from Tampa?

The Tampa area is served by three international airports: Tampa International Airport (TPA), Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), and St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport (PIE). TPA is a hub for regional airline Silver and a focus city for Southwest, while PIE is a focus city for Allegiant Air.

All three airports offer direct flights to destinations in Canada, while TPA offers flights to Europe and Mexico as well. TPA is also the largest of the three area airports in terms of passengers and number of flights. It’s the 28th busiest airport in the US, and in 2018, 21.3 million passengers passed through on an average of 252 daily flights. You’ll likely find the best deals from this airport.

What are some alternate airports for international deals from Tampa?

For more options on international flights, you may be better off driving one hour and 15 minutes to Orlando International Airport (MCO) or four hours to Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) or Miami International Airport (MIA). All three of those airports service many more international destinations than TPA and see a lot more competition, which can help drive fares down. They also offer more nonstop flights.

example deals from Tampa

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to Europe?

Of the three Tampa-area airports, TPA is the only one that has nonstop flights to Europe—and a limited few at that. To reach most European cities, you’ll need to connect in cities like Miami, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, or Washington, DC. You’ll oftentimes find better prices for nonstop flights to Europe out of Orlando or Miami, so it might be worth driving over to those airports. Flight times to Europe range from 7 hours (Reykjavik) to 9 hours (Zürich).

What cities in Europe can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

From TPA there are direct flights to Frankfurt (Lufthansa), London (British Airways), Reykjavik (Icelandair), and Zürich (Edelweiss Air).

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Europe?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Europe range from $1,200-$1,600 in high season and $900-$1,200 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Europe is anything under $600 in high season and $500 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to Europe:

  • Tampa to Iceland for $477 roundtrip
  • Tampa direct to London for $407 roundtrip
  • Tampa to Amsterdam for $457 roundtrip

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to Asia?

There are no nonstop flights to Asia from Tampa; you’ll have to connect in cities like New York, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, or Toronto, or in a West Coast hub like SFO or LAX. You might save by booking two separate roundtrip flights (such as Tampa to JFK or DFW, and then from there to your destination in Asia).

Flights can take anywhere from 16-18 hours with the shortest layovers to upwards of 30 hours with multiple layovers.

What cities in Asia can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

There are no direct flights from Tampa to Asia. Many flights to Asia connect in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Asia?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Asia range from $1,400-$2,000 in high season and $1,200-$1,600 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Asia is anything under $800 in high season and $650 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to Asia:

  • Tampa to Beijing for $395 roundtrip
  • Tampa to Mumbai for $549 roundtrip

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific?

There are no nonstop flights to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific from Tampa; you’ll have to connect in a city like Los Angeles or San Francisco, among others. You might save by booking two separate roundtrip flights (Tampa to DFW or LAX, and then from there to your destination in Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific). Flights with layovers can take anywhere from 18 hours to upwards of 30 hours with multiple layovers.

What cities in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

There are no direct flights from Tampa to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. Many flights to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific connect in Dallas or Washington, DC or in a West Coast city like San Francisco or Los Angeles.

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Oceania range from $1,500-$2,000 in high season and $1,200-$1,600 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Oceania is anything under $850 in high season and $800 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to Oceania:

  • Tampa to Melbourne for $791 roundtrip
  • Tampa to Sydney for $635 roundtrip

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to Africa or the Middle East?

There are no nonstop flights to Africa or the Middle East from Tampa; you’ll have to connect in cities like New York or Atlanta, or in Frankfurt or London in Europe. You might save by booking two separate roundtrip flights (such as Tampa to JFK or ATL, and then from there to your destination). Flights with layovers can take 17 hours or more.

What cities in Africa and the Middle East can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

There are no direct flights from Tampa to Africa or the Middle East.

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Africa or the Middle East?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Africa or the Middle East range from $1,200-$2,000 in high season and $1,000-$1,500 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Africa or the Middle East is anything under $750 in high season and $600 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to Africa or the Middle East:

  • Tampa to Marrakech for $539 roundtrip

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to Mexico or Central or South America?

From Tampa—specifically TPA—you can fly nonstop to limited destinations in Mexico and Central America, but not South America. Direct flights to Cancún take 2 hours, while direct flights to Panama City take 3.5 hours.

Flights to South America with layovers range from 6.5 (Cartagena) to 11.5 hours (Buenos Aires). Many flights from Tampa to South America connect in Miami, so it might be cheaper to drive to Miami and fly directly from there. There are also some connections via Atlanta.

What cities in Mexico and Central and South America can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

From TPA there are direct flights to Cancún (Delta) and Panama City (Copa).

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Mexico or Central or South America?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Mexico or Central or South America range from $700-$1,100 in high season and $650-$1,000 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Mexico or Central or South America is anything under $500 in high season and $450 in low season. A good roundtrip price for South America is anything under $700 in high season and $600 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to Latin America:

  • Tampa to Belize City for $320 roundtrip
  • Tampa to Mexico City for $294 roundtrip

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to the Caribbean?

There are several nonstop flights from Tampa (TPA) to the Caribbean, but you’ll have to connect in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Atlanta for many other destinations. For those destinations, it might be cheaper to drive to Fort Lauderdale or Miami and fly directly from there. Direct flight times range from an hour (Nassau) to 2 hours (Grand Cayman).

What cities and islands in the Caribbean can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

From TPA there are direct flights to San Juan (JetBlue, Southwest), Grand Cayman (Cayman Airways), Hamilton (Swoop), Havana (Southwest), and Nassau (Silver Airways).

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to the Caribbean?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to the Caribbean range from $650-$1,000 in high season and $500-$800 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to the Caribbean is anything under $450 in high season and $350 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to the Caribbean:

  • Tampa direct to Puerto Rico for $197 roundtrip
  • Tampa to St. Croix for $287 roundtrip

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to Canada?

All three Tampa area airports have nonstop flights to Canada. Direct flights to Toronto take 2 hours and 45 minutes, while direct flights to Halifax take 3.5 hours. To get elsewhere in Canada, you’ll likely have a layover in Toronto or in a US hub like Chicago, NYC, or Denver.

What cities in Canada can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

From TPA there are direct flights to Halifax (Air Canada), Montreal (Air Canada), Ottawa (Air Canada), and Toronto (Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet). From SRQ there is a direct flight to Toronto (Air Canada). From PIE there are direct flights to Halifax (Sunwing) and Toronto (Sunwing).

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Canada?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Canada range from $600-$850 in high season and $500-$700 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Canada is anything under $400 in high season and $300 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to Canada:

  • Tampa direct to Toronto for $260 roundtrip
  • Tampa to Montreal for $243 roundtrip

How do I find cheap flights from Tampa to Hawaii or Alaska?

There are no direct flights from Tampa to Hawaii or Alaska—you’ll have to connect in cities like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, or Denver. Flights with layovers range from 10.5-12.5 hours.

What cities in Hawaii can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

There are no direct flights from Tampa to Hawaii. Many flights to Hawaii connect in various cities across the US. Booking two separate roundtrip flights (from Tampa to a layover city, then that city to Hawaii) might be cheaper than booking one roundtrip flight from Tampa, so it’s always wise to compare.

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Hawaii?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Hawaii range from $1,000-$1,400 in high season and $850-$1,200 in low season. A good price on a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Hawaii is anything under $700 in high season and $600 in low season.

What cities in Alaska can I reach on direct flights from Tampa?

There are no direct flights from Tampa to Alaska. Flights to Alaska connect in various cities across the US such as Chicago or Seattle.

What’s a good price on a flight from Tampa to Alaska?

Regular prices for a roundtrip flight from Tampa to Alaska range from $1,000-$1,400 in high season and $700-$1,000 in low season. A good price on a flight from Tampa to Alaska is anything under $550 in high season and $450 in low season.

Examples of cheap flights from Tampa to Hawaii or Alaska:

  • Tampa to Honolulu for $586 roundtrip
  • Tampa to Kauai for $586 roundtrip
St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach near Tampa

How much time do I need to connect in Tampa?

Tampa isn’t a major city for connections, but if you do find yourself with a layover here, it’ll likely be at TPA. The layout of the airport is a hub-and-spoke design, with a main landside terminal in the center and four airside terminals (A, C, E, and F, the latter two of which serve international flights) connected to it via an automated people mover (APM).

There is no direct transportation between airside terminals—you must take the APM back to the main landside terminal to reach other airside terminals. As security is located at each individual airside terminal, you will have to go through screening again if you are transferring between terminals.

Average wait times for security are 25 minutes in off-peak hours and 45 minutes during peak hours. You should allow at least an hour for a domestic transfer and two hours for international transfers. Since TPA has limited international flights, customs and immigration lines for arrivals might not be as long as other entry points in the US. Wait times range from 5-40 minutes on average.

How much time do I need for a layover in Tampa?

If you’d like to head downtown on your layover, taking a taxi will only take 15 minutes (outside of rush hour) at a flat rate of $28. There are public buses as well, and they cost between $2 and $2.25 each way, but they take a minimum of 30 minutes to reach downtown depending on the route and traffic.

You can visit Tampa or St. Petersburg with a layover of at least five hours, which would give you two or three hours to grab a bite, hit the beach, or check out St. Petersburg’s Salvador Dali Museum. Domestic passengers departing should arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before their flights, while international passengers should arrive two hours before their flights.

Read our list of 25 ways to save on flights, or join Going and go Premium to unlock all our best deals from Tampa. Get cheap fare alerts sent right to your inbox and save up to 90% on travel.

Last Updated 
May 1, 2019
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Going Team

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