Travelling from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Tampa: what you need to know
Book a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa and you'll be travelling for around 1 hour 50 minutes.
Tampa and Durham (where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located) share the UTC-5 timezone. This means you won't need to account for any time differences.
With 26 flights a week between the two airports, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the busiest route. Delta Air Lines operates the earliest flight at 06:30. If you'd like to get more out of your day before you fly, the last flight from RDU to TPA is with Frontier Airlines at 22:07.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you enough time to catch your RDU to Tampa flight.
Travelling during a popular month like June? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues and delays at security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
You can book a direct Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa ticket. Start your journey at RDU and arrive at Tampa International Airport (TPA).
You'll find a good selection of airlines offering direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa, including:
Travelling from central Durham to RDU takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 16 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels near RDU:
When it comes to Raleigh-Durham International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Tampa
R 793 is currently the best price for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa flight. A return plane ticket starts at R 1,586. These prices may change based on availability and demand.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to land cheap flights from RDU to Tampa if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some fantastic early bird rates.
Finding cheap tickets from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa is more likely if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search function to access the lowest prices across the month and score a sweet deal.
There's no need to check back constantly to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know the moment there's an updated deal for cheap flights from RDU to Tampa.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa.
Airports in Tampa
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA) to central Tampa takes about 20 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
It typically takes 35 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa. Reserve one of these accommodation options near TPA instead:
Booking your vehicle from Tampa International Airport about one week in advance of your flight from RDU to Tampa can help you lock in the lowest rate.
You'll find TPA at 5507 West Spruce Street.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
Central Tampa is around 32 kilometres from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). After your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa has hit the runway and you've navigated your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 35 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
There are some comfortable places to rest your head close to PIE. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your RDU to Tampa flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Usually, the earlier you book, the better the prices and selection of vehicles. Secure your ride from PIE once your travel dates are set.
You can find St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport at Suite 221 - Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Tampa
March is the most popular month for flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa. To avoid the crowds, plan your trip to Tampa in December.
The warmest month in Tampa is August, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa plane ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from RDU to Tampa in January when temperatures average between 9ºC (48ºF) and 23ºC (73ºF).
More about Tampa
Once you've booked your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Tampa, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Tampa:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. The Florida Aquarium, Busch Gardens Tampa and ZooTampa at Lowry Park are highlights which should feature on every Tampa itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
You've seen Tampa, now it's time to discover more of the United States. Travel around 274 kilometres north to Jacksonville to check off its must-visit sights. From St. John's Cathedral to Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville and The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Around 338 kilometres southeast of Tampa, Miami is another essential stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Beach, Ocean Drive and Port of Miami.
