TPA wishes passengers a very merry holiday travel season

Tampa International Airport is once again gearing up for a very busy holiday travel rush with an estimated 1.5 million passengers expected to pass through TPA between December 19 and January 6, the Airport’s 2024 winter holiday travel period.

TPA expects around 80,000 passengers a day leading up to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays with the peak of holiday travel falling just after Christmas, on Friday, December 27, when around 87,000 passengers are expected to fly through TPA.

All the extra passengers will mean more traffic on the roadways leading into the Airport, fewer available parking spaces and longer lines at the ticket counters and TSA security checkpoints. Here are some tips to ensure a more seamless experience for passengers working to make their way through the Airport.

CHOOSE EXPRESS: Traveling with carry-on luggage only? The Blue Express Curbsides are an easy alternative to the regular Departures and Arrivals curbs and allow those who don’t need to stop at the Ticketing or Baggage Claim levels to get in and out of the Main Terminal more easily and quickly. Drivers can follow the signage to Express for a much less crowded drop-off and pick-up experience.

PLAN AHEAD FOR PARKING: TPA offers online booking for parking, which has discounted pricing on its Short Term, Long Term and Economy garages, some of which may reach capacity during peak days. Online bookings ensure you will find a space and also help TPA anticipate demand and manage its garage space availability, making parking life easier for everyone.

AVOID CIRCLING: Circling the roadways or lingering at the curbs is not allowed, so drivers picking up passengers should use the Cell Phone Waiting Lot, which has restrooms and free Wi-Fi, as well as info boards listing flight arrival times. Once a passenger is ready and at the curb, their driver can get there in a flash without adding unnecessary traffic to TPA’s roadways.

ARRIVE EARLY: While TPA has a reputation for being a quick and easy airport to navigate, holiday crowds can move at a different pace as a lot of first-time flyers, elderly travelers and families take to the skies. Plan to arrive at the Airport no later than two hours before departure, or three if you’re traveling internationally.

SKIP THE LINES: Don’t get caught in a long line just before boarding. Now passengers can order ahead and have their latte or burger waiting when they arrive. Customers can use either TPA To Go through the Uber Eats App, or the Starbucks mobile app to order and pay, then swing by the counter and pick up your order without standing in line.

EAT, DRINK, SHOP AND BE MERRY: As a way to soothe and relax holiday travelers, TPA has a full slate of live entertainment and holiday music playing in the Main Terminal, so give yourself enough time to stop and enjoy it along your journey. Need any last-minute gifts? TPA's shops sell everything from fine jewelry to books to Florida-themed merchandise and clothing, and its beautiful The Shoppes at Bayshore store in the Main Terminal is open 24 hours, 7 days a week (including on Christmas!) for afterthought shopping and retail therapy. Check out all of our shops and restaurants here.