Flying from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Tampa: what you need to know
Tampa is 15 hours behind Melbourne, where Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is located. Tampa runs on the UTC-4 timezone.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This leaves you with plenty of time to catch your MEL to Tampa flight.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
We make it simple to book plane tickets from MEL to Tampa with a stopover. To see all the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to explore your chosen city. Major stopovers include:
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Located around 19 kilometres from central Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 40 minutes.
Looking for a hotel close to MEL? If you're boarding an early flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa, these stays set you up for a seamless send-off:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 67.71% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Tampa
The best price we've found for a one-way Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa flight is R 13,075. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 17,242. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to land cheap flights from MEL to Tampa if you book ahead. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.
If you have flexibility with your trip dates, make the most of the 'Whole month' tool. It'll find the cheapest price across every month when searching for your Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa ticket.
Finding a cheap flight from MEL to Tampa is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when the price has dropped.
Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest.'
Airports in Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
The distance from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to central Tampa is roughly 13 kilometres. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Travelling to the centre on public transport takes about 55 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa. Check in to one of these accommodation options near TPA instead:
Go where the road takes you with a Tampa International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Dollar, Budget or Thrifty and experience more of Tampa and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Tampa International Airport around one week ahead of your flight from MEL to Tampa can help you get the lowest rate.
You'll find TPA at 5507 West Spruce Street.
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
Once your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in about 25 minutes by car. Central Tampa is roughly 29 kilometres from St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 2 hours 10 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to park your luggage (and yourself) near PIE. Settle in and get cosy after your MEL to Tampa flight at any of these well-located options:
The quickest way to reach your destination is with a St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Budget, Alamo or Avis and be off and running.
Avoid the long lines and paperwork at the rental desk by having everything prearranged. Reserve your ride from PIE ahead of time so you can simply get the keys and go.
The address for St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is Suite 221 - Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Tampa
Carefully consider your travel dates before booking your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa. The city comes alive during high season, but hotel prices are typically higher and attractions can be busy. Go to Tampa in the off-season for a quieter vibe.
Lock in a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa plane ticket with a departure in August if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 9ºC (48ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from MEL to Tampa around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Tampa
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Tampa right here. Check out these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Tampa:
Tampa Riverwalk and Ybor City Tattoo Company are just two of the leading attractions to add to your Tampa must-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out The Florida Aquarium.
Explore more of United States
You've done Tampa, now it's time to explore other corners of United States. Travel around 274 kilometres north to Jacksonville to tick off its leading sights. From Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens to The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and Friendship Fountain, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If you're interested in discovering another great destination in United States, consider Miami, about 338 kilometres south-east of Tampa. Wynwood Walls, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and American Airlines Arena are the start of reasons to visit.
