How Tampa International Airport fits together — one Main Terminal, four airsides, the airside shuttles and SkyConnect, baggage claim, parking and ground transportation, with links to TPA’s own pages.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is built around one idea: a single Main Terminal for check-in, baggage and ground transportation, with the gates out in separate airsides a short shuttle ride away. Once that layout makes sense, the airport is easy to use. This guide explains how it fits together and where to find TPA's own up-to-date information.
TPA Layout: One Main Terminal, Four Airsides
Every flight boards from one of four airsides — Airsides A, C, E and F. There is no Airside B. The Main Terminal in the middle holds ticketing, baggage claim and ground transportation, and each airside is linked to it by its own automated airside shuttle.
- Main Terminal: check-in, security checkpoints for each airside, baggage claim and ground transportation
- Airsides A, C, E and F: gates, reached by that airside's shuttle from the Main Terminal
- Which airside is my flight? Airlines are assigned to airsides and assignments change, so check your boarding pass or TPA's airline list before you go
Airside Shuttles vs. SkyConnect
TPA runs two different people-movers, and they are easy to confuse:
- Airside shuttles carry passengers between the Main Terminal and each airside. Arriving, you ride your airside's shuttle to the Main Terminal and head down to baggage claim.
- SkyConnect does not go to the airsides. It links the Main Terminal, the Economy Parking Garage and the Rental Car Center (TPA). You only need it if you are parking in Economy or collecting a rental car.
Arriving: Baggage Claim
Baggage claim is on Level 1 of the Main Terminal, split into a Red side (north) and a Blue side (south). Signs above the escalators and elevators show which side your airline uses (TPA Arriving Passenger Guide).
Airlines at TPA
TPA is served by a wide mix of domestic and international airlines, and the list changes with the seasons. For current airlines, routes and which airside each one uses, see TPA's airline directory.
Dining and Shops
Restaurants and shops are spread across the Main Terminal and the airsides, and most are past security in the airsides. Openings, closings and hours change often, so check tampaairport.com for what is open at your airside.
Parking
TPA offers several parking options, including the Economy Parking Garage connected to the Main Terminal by SkyConnect. Rates change, so check TPA's parking page for current prices before you drive.
Ground Transportation
- Private car service: your chauffeur confirms the pickup point when you land.
- Rideshare: Uber, Lyft and Wridz pick up at TPA's Red and Blue Express Curbside areas or at the SkyCenter One remote curbside (TPA Ground Transportation).
- Rental cars: on-airport rental companies are in the Rental Car Center, reached by SkyConnect from the Main Terminal.
- Taxis and other ground transportation: follow the Ground Transportation signs on Level 1 of the Main Terminal; TPA lists operators on its ground transportation page.