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Port Tampa Bay cruise parking & getting there

Everything we could verify from Port Tampa Bay's official pages about parking, drop-off and reaching the three Channelside cruise terminals from Tampa International Airport (TPA).

Cruise terminals

All three are in the Channel District, close to each other. Your cruise documents name your terminal; our departures table shows the terminal the port lists for each sailing. (The port lists Terminal 6 at 1333 McKay St and the overflow parking lot beside it at 1331 McKay St.)

Official port parking & rates

• Channelside Parking Garage — 810 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, across the street from Cruise Terminal 3. Indoor garage with 24/7 surveillance. Parking operator office: 813-906-1904.
• 1331 McKay Street — additional port parking by Terminal 6.
• Self-park or valet. Valet upgrade fee: $20 (port FAQ). Oversized-vehicle parking is offered.
• Daily rate: Port Tampa Bay's tariff schedule (Tariff No. 14, item E20, "Parking, passenger vehicles, per space") lists $19 per space effective Oct 1, 2026, rising to $20 on Oct 1, 2027.
• Prepay by choosing your cruise line on the port's terminal guide / cruise parking page.

Rates may change. The $19 figure comes from the port's published tariff notice, not a checkout page. Confirm the final price, including tax, when you prepay or arrive.

Drop-off & arrival

Port Tampa Bay's departure instructions: arrive by the time your cruise line assigned you, then follow the BLUE route for passenger drop-off and valet and the RED route for secure port parking. Terminal maps are on the port's terminal guide.

Accessible & disabled-veteran parking

A disabled permit or placard alone does not mean free parking; posted rates apply. Under Florida Statute 316.1964, parking is free only for:

• vehicles with specialized equipment for a person with a disability (ramps, lifts, hand or foot controls);
• vehicles displaying the Florida Toll Exemption permit;
• vehicles with a Florida disabled-veteran plate (FS 320.084), with that veteran in the vehicle.

Show your driver's license and vehicle registration to the attendant. Exempt parking is at 810 Channelside Dr and 1331 McKay St only, when a ship is in port and space allows.

Getting there from Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Port Tampa Bay describes TPA as about a 15-minute drive from the Channelside District. Options include rideshare, taxi, cruise-line transfers (book through your line) or a rental car and port parking. See our airport → port guide.

Tips

• No luggage storage in the terminals, for security reasons. The Florida Aquarium (701 Channelside Dr, next to Terminal 2) stores luggage free when you buy a discounted admission ticket, according to the port.
• No lost & found at the port. Report luggage problems to your cruise line.
• Game days: the Lightning arena is on Channelside Drive near the garage. Check the departures table or month pages for flagged dates.
• Port Tampa Bay main line: 813-905-7678 (toll free 800-741-2297).

Sources (retrieved 2026-10-13): Port Tampa Bay — Cruise Parking (garage, McKay St lot, valet fee, accessible parking, terminals, luggage, airport); Port Tampa Bay — Terminals & Departure Guide (drop-off routes, prepay); Port Tampa Bay Tariff No. 14 notice (per-space parking rate). Sail From Tampa is independent and not affiliated with Port Tampa Bay.