Tampa Transportation – the local lowdown
A great joy of vacation travel is getting around like a local and Tampa’s memorable local transportation makes it easy. Here’s our guide to getting around Tampa like a Floridian.
Electric streetcars – Tampa transportation that doesn’t break the bank
Back in 1892, Tampa had a novelty, electric streetcars with smartly uniformed conductors, which conveyed travelers round Ybor City, Ballast Point, Hyde Park and Sulphur Springs. Streetcars took workers to the cigar factories of west Tampa, and on Sundays to local parks like DeSoto and Macfarlane. They were the circulatory system of the region until 1946, making Tampa among the last cities to surrender its historical streetcar system.
The TECO Line Streetcar system has returned to Tampa, Downtown, Channelside and Ybor City, bringing cruise ship passengers to the city. Unsurprisingly, it also transports workers as the original streetcars did. Effortlessly linking Franklin and Whiting Streets and the Fort Brooke parking garage, TECO unifies downtown and brings parking within easy reach of all. Best of all, it’s free to travel!
Coast Bike Share – vacation transport on two wheels
Coast Bike Share makes bicycle rental easy – simply register and enter your pin to unlock a bike from any convenient station. Afterwards, return it to any other station in the system, ideal for picnics or sightseeing trips.
[/su_column]The Cross-Bay Ferry – Tampa transportation with added romance
Travelling between St. Petersburg and Tampa has never been more enjoyable. The Cross-Bay Ferry returns each November, happily cruising between the cities twice daily for foot passengers. The $8 one-way ticket (children under four travel free) buys you an hour crossing the Bay, giving tourists and locals a fantastic chance to enjoy a great meal and some sightseeing. Lucky travellers may see dolphins ridingthe bow waves of cruise liners out of Tampa Bay. Both the river walks and trolley cars connect well with the ferry service.
Pirate Water Taxi – explore Tampa from the water
Staying at Erehwon Retreat, and want a rollicking day out in Tampa – try the pirate water taxi system! A single payment allows all day travel through the Tampa Riverwalk, Harbour Island and Channelside Districts. With over fifteen stops, this yellow water taxi therefore drops you close to museums, shops, restaurants and Lowry Park Zoo.
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit – take the HART around Tampa
Finally, since 1980, the HART system has been serving Tampa, fortunately the HART #1 bus is a half-block away; making it a quick and easy route to the best destinations downtown.