Tampa Hotels for Cruisers with Shuttle to the Cruise Port
Hotels Near Tampa Cruise Port
If you’re staying in Tampa the night before a cruise out of Port Tampa Bay, you’ll find many great hotel options, many close to the port and some with shuttle service, although the choice can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Florida is home to several cruise ports, including two of the biggest in the world — Port Miami and Port Canaveral — and Port Tampa Bay is very small in comparison. I like this port because it isn’t as bustling as the giant ones, but it’s still well-run with efficient boarding, and the terminal is clean and modern.
When it comes to my recommendations for affordable Tampa hotels, which are below, I will include a caveat. During peak times in the area, such as when Tampa’s annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival or other big events are happening, hotel pricing can spike due to high demand. In this case, budget-conscious cruisers might consider properties located in nearby Clearwater, Brandon, or Dundein.
Downtown Tampa is a great place to stay, and less than two miles from the port, but it’s a pricier location, so cruisers seeking a hotel that’s affordable will find more budget-friendly options by the Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is only about seven miles from Port Tampa Bay. Hotels adjacent to Port Tampa Bay generally cost more than airport area hotels, but many cruisers still go that route for the convenience of location.
Affordable Tampa Hotels Near Cruise Port
Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District
Address: 1155 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, Florida
Of all the hotel options in the Port Tampa Bay area, this is one of the closest at a little more than half a mile and is walkable in under 10 minutes. It’s also the rare hotel that provides free shuttle to the cruise port, and the times the shuttle runs varies daily depending on the cruise port schedule. Another benefit to this property for budget savvy cruisers it that it offers free hot breakfast — none of that continental business. Parking is high, though, at $32.25 per day, but cruisers parking for a longer period of time can get $11.99 daily parking through Rightway Parking, a third-party parking provider.
Home2Suites by Hilton Channel District
Address: 1155 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida
Another hotel that’s less than a mile from the Tampa cruise port is Home2Suites, where cruisers can reach their terminal in just about a 12-minute walk, depending on the terminal. Guests staying here enjoy free hot breakfast, buffet-style, from 6-10 am and free shuttle to the port, which is available on a first come, first served basis. Like with Hampton Inn, nightly parking here is high at $30 per day, but the property recommends that cruisers parking there during their cruise book through third-party parking provider Rightway Parking for better pricing at around $11.99 per day.
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor City
Address: 1700 East 9th Ave., Tampa, Florida
Ybor City is a historic town right near Port Tampa Bay, and I recently explored there before a cruise out of Tampa, so I recommend this hotel because it’s located right in this charming area, and it’s only 1.5 miles from port and 2 miles from downtown Tampa and The Florida Aquarium. While this property no longer offers free shuttle service to the cruise port, it is just one block away from the TECO Line Streetcar (often called “the trolley”), which is free and runs a route to the cruise terminals off Channelside Drive. Parking here is expensive at $25 per day, but they do offers a “snooze and cruise” rate where parking is bundled with the room rate.
Tampa Airport Hotel Option
Quality Inn Tampa Airport
1020 South Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida
Cruisers who prefer a more affordable option, and don’t mind being a bit further from port often choose this property. This is also a great choice for cruisers who fly in on a late flight. Benefits of staying here are that it’s obviously close to the airport for cruisers flying in, and they also offer a free shuttle to the property from the Tampa Airport.
In addition, shuttle service is available to the cruise port for $10 per person, set up at check in; although unless you’re a solo cruiser, Uber is likely a more affordable choice at around $13-20 per ride. Parking here is $12 per day, but the cheaper option for those parking during their cruise is the property’s “park and cruise” package, which includes a one-night stay, up to 14 days of parking, and cruise port shuttle service for two. Free hot breakfast is available from 6-9 am.
Getting to Port Tampa Bay from the Airport
These are all great hotels in Tampa, which are consistently highly ranked by cruisers sailing from Port Tampa Bay, but I advise folks not to book them (or any property) because of the fact that these hotels offer a shuttle to the cruise port. Instead, consider convenience, hotel ratings, location, and other amenities when deciding.
If you opt to stay at a hotel near the Tampa Airport, complimentary shuttle service is generally provided, but this is not typically an amenity offered by hotel properties by Port Tampa Bay. My post here highlights various transfer options to get you from the airport to the cruise port.
Things to Do in Tampa Before Your Cruise
If you have time to kill in Tampa before embarking on a cruise, consider a morning in Ybor City. There are locations in this charming and historic district, which is located less than three miles from port, where you can pay a small fee to securely store your bags and then explore the many nearby stores and restaurants before your cruise. Other popular Tampa attractions include the Busch Gardens theme park, Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa, and Tampa Riverwalk.
