Car rental in
Tampa, FL
Our top branches in Tampa, FL
Our services at Tampa, FL
SIXT Car Rental in Tampa
Pick up your SIXT car in rental Tampa from convenient spots like the Tampa Airport (TPA), Tampa Downtown, or Tampa North Dale Mabry. Our varied fleet includes makes and models from leading manufacturers. Manage your booking via the user-friendly SIXT App for extra convenience. By choosing Tampa rental cars, you give yourself easy access to renowned beaches, lively entertainment districts, and the thriving downtown arts scene.
Book your SIXT car rental in Tampa for premium comfort and complete flexibility.
Recommended Vehicle Options for Car Rental in Tampa
- SUVs: These are designed for beach days, outdoor adventures, and exploring Florida’s nature preserves outside the city.
- Convertibles: Bask in abundant sunshine while cruising down the coast or vibrant city boulevards.
- Economy cars: These are a sensible option for navigating narrow downtown streets and consistent fuel savings at the same time.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Tampa?
Your Tampa rental car price will vary by these factors:
- Vehicle type: SUVs, convertibles, economy cars, and luxury vehicles have different daily rates.
- Length of your rental: Booking for a longer period, such as a full week, typically reduces your overall daily cost.
- Pick-up and return locations: The airport, downtown, and North Dale Mabry branches may have differing pricing.
- Special events: Costs may be higher during busy periods, like during the Gasparilla Pirate Festival or Tampa Bay Comic Con.
SIXT Pro Tip: Secure your vehicle early and look at alternate dates to find the best deals.
Add-ons & Protection Packages
Personalize your rental with bookable extras and customized protection:
- Book GPS units, additional drivers, child seats, or winter tires as needed.
- Pick the coverage that fits. Our protection options have you covered, whatever you need.
Driving Tips for Tampa
Driving in Tampa is pretty straightforward and relaxed, with clear highway connections and well-marked roads throughout the city.
Traffic Rules in Tampa
- The usual speed limits within Tampa’s downtown area are 30 mph, going up to 55 mph on rural highways, and up to 65 mph on tollway express routes.
- Florida seatbelt laws are strict — all passengers must be buckled at all times.
Road Conditions and Navigation
- Urban traffic can pick up around major events and stadiums, including in the Raymond James Stadium area.
- Thunderstorms during summer can cause brief flooding — heed local advisories and drive cautiously in the rain.
Parking in Tampa
For parking, city garages and lots serve popular districts. Check out these options:
- The Fort Brooke Garage is ideal for accessing downtown attractions and museums.
- The Tampa Convention Center Garage is optimal for conventions or waterfront events.
- The Centro Ybor Parking Garage is good for enjoying Ybor City nightlife and taking historic tours.
Fueling Instructions
Gas options in Tampa are labeled as Regular, Plus, and Premium. Self-service is standard; pay at the pump by card, cash, or mobile app at most locations.
SIXT Pro Tip: Select our refueling service to skip topping up your tank before you return your car.
Tolls
Tampa does have some toll roads — the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway (SR 618), Veterans Expressway (SR 589) / Suncoast Parkway, and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (I-275) are some of the most frequented. Tampa’s main toll payment system is SunPass, which covers expressways and some causeways. Automated payments are required and cash is not accepted at most toll booths.
Ask about our prepaid toll program to make your drive even easier.
Top Places to Visit by Car in Tampa
A SIXT car rental in Tampa puts you at the heart of Florida’s vibrant culture and gives you access to its iconic coastline.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: For a Day of Adventure & Fun
- Distance from Tampa North Dale Mabry: 10 miles (16 km)
- Estimated driving time: 22 minutes
The Busch Gardens amusement park features world-class rides, safari-themed attractions, and live performances suitable for all ages. It’s a top spot for family adventure with unique animal encounters and seasonal celebrations.
The Tampa Riverwalk: For a Waterfront Stroll
- Distance from Tampa Downtown: 1 mile (1.5 km)
- Estimated driving time: 5 minutes
The Tampa Riverwalk is a scenic promenade lined with parks, public art, and local dining. It’s a favorite for walking or biking along the water. Weekend markets and festivals are common year-round.
The Florida Aquarium: For Marine Experiences
- Distance from Tampa Downtown: 1.2 miles (2 km)
- Estimated driving time: 8 minutes
The Florida Aquarium offers immersive exhibits featuring both local and global marine life, conservation programs, and hands-on activities. Educational shows and behind-the-scenes tours make it a standout destination. The Florida Aquarium Parking Lot is convenient for visitors.
Hyde Park Village: For Shopping & Dining
- Distance from Tampa Airport (TPA): 7 miles (11 km)
- Estimated driving time: 16 minutes
The Hyde Park Village showcases Tampa’s stylish shops, cafes, and weekly farmer’s markets amid beautiful architecture and leafy walkways. Home to boutique shopping and top eateries, it’s popular with locals and visitors alike.
Getting a car rental in Tampa sets you up to see the city at your own pace.
Customer reviews & feedback
What our customers are saying
*Our Customer Excitement Score is based on a survey sent to all customers who booked in Tampa, FL. The score is an average of all customer responses.
Good to know when renting in Tampa, FL
If you will be exploring Florida outside of Tampa, adding Express Toll Unlimited to your rental is a good idea. That way you can breeze through toll areas without having to wait in line to pay.
It is generally allowed to rent a car one way between SIXT locations. Approval is required, so it is best to check with the station you wish to rent from before booking.
You can rent a car from the age of 21 at SIXT in the US. An underage driver fee applies to those under 25. Some specialty and larger car categories require drivers to be 25 or older.
Yes. SIXT places a temporary hold on your credit card at pickup for the amount of the deposit. For payments with debit cards, please refer to our rental information for more details about deposits. The amount depends on the location and vehicle. Please check for more details on payment information in this article.
In the U.S., generally a minimum of $200 will be charged to the payment method for security purposes. The deposit for high-value vehicles may be higher. Non-airport locations in Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Illinois have higher minimum authorization amounts. Additional details on the deposit can be found in this article.
Reservations are by vehicle category (“or similar”), not by an exact model. When a "guaranteed model" option is shown for your dates and location, selecting it reserves that specific model. Otherwise, you’ll receive a comparable car in the same group with similar size and performance subject to availability.
The exact mileage policy for your booking is shown during the reservation process, so you’ll know what’s included before pickup.
Vehicles rented at most SIXT locations in the contiguous United States may be driven throughout the contiguous states. Travel into Canada must be in accordance with our geographical restrictions, which can be found in our rental information. Travel to Mexico is not allowed. If you drive outside authorized areas, a fee of $0.50 per mile will apply.
All renters and authorized drivers must present a valid, unexpired, original driver’s license at the time of rental. Renters with a non-U.S. driver's license may also need to provide a valid passport or other government-issued ID. Licenses in non-Roman alphabets (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic) must be accompanied by an international driver’s license. If the license is from a country not in the international driver’s license treaty, an official translation is required. See our rental information for full driver’s license and age requirements.
