When travelling to and from Tampa Bay by air, there are two major airports to consider, which may help you save time and money when booking travel.  Tampa International Airport (TPA) is located on the east side of Tampa Bay, west of downtown Tampa.  St. Pete Clearwater (PIE) is located on the west side of the bay at the south east end of Clearwater and norteast end of St. Petersburg.  The Howard Frankland Bridge crosses the bay between the two airports and is about 14 miles long.

Because they are so close together, you can use your preferred website to shop fares for both airports and possibly save hundreds of dollars by going just 14 miles out of your way.

In early 2002, we were getting ready to move from New Jersey to Florida, and trying to decide what the best method was to get from NJ to FL. 

• Should we have the movers take the 2 cars, and we would fly?  We'd have to rent a car for a while in Florida too.
• Should we drive?  Our boys were 5 and less than a year.  That would be 2 cars making the drive.  Plus the infant cries in the car.
• Maybe we ship one car, and drive the other?  Still have Ryan's crying...

Then, our 5 year old says "Why not take the Auto Train?  It has all of the comforts of home."  So, we called.  As long as you don't travel Southbound on a Friday, the prices are good.  You can get a sleeper car with 2 beds, your cars are on the train - so there is no car rental or delays.  The kids can walk around - you go to the dining car - watch TV... they even play with other kids.

We loved it, and highly recommend it.