Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is one of America's great theme parks — a world-class destination with rollercoasters, wildlife, and live entertainment right in Tampa's backyard. Unlike the Orlando parks, Busch Gardens is just minutes from downtown Tampa, making it uniquely accessible from across the Tampa Bay region.
Getting to Busch Gardens Tampa
Private Car Service (Recommended)
The most comfortable option, especially for families:
- From TPA Airport: 15-20 minutes, from $40
- From Downtown Tampa: 10-15 minutes, from $35
- From Clearwater/St. Pete: 35-45 minutes, from $55
- From Sarasota: 65-75 minutes, from $80
Driving & Parking
Busch Gardens is located at 10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, 33612. Parking is free, which is a significant advantage over the Orlando parks. Take I-275 to Fowler Ave (exit 54) or Busch Blvd (exit 53).
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare is available and often reasonable for short Tampa trips. Surge pricing can occur during special events and peak park closing times.
Busch Gardens vs. Orlando: Why Choose Tampa
Many visitors don't realize that Busch Gardens Tampa rivals the Orlando parks for thrill rides:
- Cheetah Hunt — Multi-launch coaster reaching 60 mph
- Tigris — Florida's tallest launch coaster
- SheiKra — 200-foot drop coaster with 90-degree dive
- Montu — One of the world's top inverted coasters
- Iron Gwazi — Steel/wood hybrid, rated one of the world's best coasters
Plus 12,000 animals in naturalistic habitats, live entertainment, and the Serengeti Safari.
Combining Busch Gardens with Adventure Island
Adventure Island water park is directly adjacent to Busch Gardens. Many visitors spend one day at each — a private car service makes getting between the two parks (same entrance area) effortless.
Best Time to Visit Busch Gardens
- Lowest crowds: Weekdays in January-February and September-October
- Special events: Bier Fest (August-September), Howl-O-Scream (October), Christmas Town (November-January)
- Avoid: Spring break (March), Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day week