Cheap Rental Car Deals in Tampa

Book Cheap Car Rentals in Tampa

If you’re looking for fun, sun, and maybe a place for your travel partner to ride shotgun, a last-minute getaway to Tampa will really fit the bill. When you hop into your car rental in Tampa, you’ll be ready to explore every inch of the area—and on your schedule. You don’t have time to waste on public transit and you want to keep the “fun” in your funds, so ride shares are outta here. Thanks to your Hotwire Hot Rate car rental deal, you can keep some cash and do this city up right.

Now, what to do while you’re here? Well, while lightning might not strike twice, you’ll find the good times strike often in the Lightning Capital of North America. So get rolling on the Tampa deep-dive with this leave-no-stone-unturned checklist.

Sunshine State of Mind

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhoods: The Tampa Bay area is full of unique places to explore in your rental without even having to fill up your tank. Historic Ybor City is responsible for Tampa’s nickname of “Cigar City” because cigar manufacturers have produced billions of stogies in the neighborhood for well over 100 years. It’s also home to some fantastic restaurants and potentially wild nightlife. High-end moments can be had in the Hyde Park neighborhood, supplemented by bumping bars and late-night flights of fancy in the nearby SoHo area. Or cross the bridge to Clearwater to hit the beach or visit downtown St. Petersburg for charming and eclectic vibes.

A Day Trip in the Whip: Sure, there’s a lot to see in the Tampa Bay area, but one of the best parts of scoring a Florida car rental is being able to explore everything within driving distance. And buckle in, because there’s a ton. Head south for a couple of hours and you’ll hit Naples, a fancy-schmancy beach town known for its unreal sunsets. If you keep going for another hour and a half, you can get gator-y in the swampy Everglades or keep driving for another 45 minutes to the sizzling beaches of Miami. Or if you’re looking to get amused by every park in the state, a quick hour-and-a-half drive east will have you in Orlando sporting mouse ears in no time.

The Flip Side: Looking for something around town that’s a little more unusual? If being a looky-loo is your thing, put your peepers to use at the most interesting museums in Central Florida—the Ringling Museum for everything circus, and the Dali Museum, for, well, Salvador Dali’s art. If the dark arts are more your thing, The Castle, a club in Ybor City known as a “goth mecca,” has been around for nearly 30 years and offers a much different atmosphere than other nightlife options in town, including different theme nights. Or if you really want to getting rolling, take it to the halfpipes at the Skatepark of Tampa, featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2X.

Go on a Tasty Tour: All this trippin’ giving you hunger pangs? Steer your rental wheels to some of the best spots for local cuisine. Keep it casual and grab one of the best Cuban sandwiches in town at either The Columbia or West Tampa Sandwich Shop. Or do it up fancy style at the world-famous Bern’s Steak House (it has an extra-special Dessert Room) or fine dining done trendy at Rooster & The Till. And if you’re just looking for some easy, breezy, Tampa fun, stop at Nebraska Mini-Mart for burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, fries, and a side of an adult playground—ping pong, shuffleboard, and bocce ball are all fair game here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tampa