Tampa Charter Bus Rentals from GOGO Charters

Tampa Through the Eyes of a Local Expert

Skye Rodgers

Experience in writing about Tampa travel for 10 years and giving Tampa tours for 5 years.

Whether you’re new to Tampa or you’re looking to shake up your Tampa experience, there’s no one better to ask than a local expert. We spoke with Skye Rodgers, who has been writing content about Tampa for 10 years and giving tours for 5 years and seriously knows her way around the city.

We asked Skye about her favorite Tampa neighborhood and requested a little more information about a few of our favorites. Keep reading to see what she recommends:

First, the basics: Skye warns that Tampa is hot, and if you’re not used to the Southern heat, we can vouch that it can be absolutely unbearable. “Take a hat, water, and sunscreen, and avoid walking at midday if you visit during the summer months,” says Skye. Some neighborhoods might have less shade than others too, so keep an eye out for places to stop while you’re walking, or take refuge in your air-conditioned charter bus.

Seminole Heights: When asked about her favorite Tampa neighborhood, Skye mentions Seminole Heights, “an eclectic neighborhood where you can find the most trendy and hip dining and entertainment options in the city.”

Skye’s recommendations: If you’re in the Seminole Heights area, Skye recommends visiting Zoo Tampa, Ella’s American Folk Art Café, 7th Sun Brewery, or Cleanse Apothecary, but her personal favorite place to visit is Rooster and the Till. “[It’s] a farm-to-table restaurant that is dedicated to expanding the palettes of its guests with tasty, but unusual, treats.”

Skye also warns that Seminole Heights isn’t a great walking neighborhood and that parking can be a challenge, so definitely plan ahead with your charter bus driver to determine where your group will be picked up or dropped off.

Ybor City: When it comes to Ybor City, one of Tampa’s most famous neighborhoods (and a personal favorite of ours), Skye’s favorite stops include Ybor City State Museum, Columbia Restaurant, and Jose Marti Park. As a fun fact, Skye told us that Jose Marti Park is actually owned by Cuba, and you’re technically in the country of Cuba while you’re there—no passport required!

Skye’s recommendations: Skye’s personal favorite Ybor City stop is King Corona Café, where she recommends sipping on a café con leche and people-watching. When asked why she’d recommend Ybor to visitors, Skye cited “the rich history of cigar rolling, the diverse ethnic influences, and the sidewalk culture enjoyed by current residents.”

Downtown Tampa: No matter who you’re traveling with, you’ll find plenty to do Downtown. “Downtown is home to most of Tampa’s top attractions, as well as plenty of dining and entertainment options. It’s all conveniently linked by the scenic 2.6-mile Riverwalk that follows Garrison Channel and the Hillsborough River through downtown,” says Skye.

Skye’s recommendations: Skye’s Downtown recommendations include Sparkman Wharf, Sail Plaza, Curtis Hixon Park, the Tampa Museum of Art, and the Tampa Bay History Center, though the long list of places to see in Downtown makes it difficult to form a comprehensive list. Her personal favorite stop is The Sail Plaza, “an outdoor bar and restaurant located at the center of all the action. You can enjoy a cocktail, listen to live music, nibble on fresh seafood, rent a paddleboard or small boat or water bike—all within a few steps.”

Skye also recommends visiting the Riverwalk if you really want to get acquainted with the Downtown neighborhood.

Hyde Park: According to Skye, “Hyde Park is home to beautiful historic homes, quiet shady streets, and some of the best shopping and dining in Tampa,” so we’d definitely second her recommendations if you’re in the mood to shop and enjoy some scenery.

Skye’s recommendations: Be sure to check out local streets such as Bayshore Boulevard and South Howard Avenue, hang out in Hyde Park Village, or hit up Bern’s Steakhouse. Skye says, “Driving down Bayshore Boulevard is a visual treat with beautiful water views on one side and historic mansions on the other.” Skye’s personal favorite Hyde Park stop is Goody Goody, “an historic Tampa diner that was brought back to life by a local restaurateur. The butterscotch pie is to die for!”

As an additional tip, “Parking on Bayshore and South Howard can be very challenging, especially during busy periods,” Skye warns. Plan ahead to have your charter bus driver drop you off near each stop on your itinerary, or simply take a drive through the neighborhood on your way to your next attraction.

Our Favorite Tampa Neighborhoods

Visiting Tampa from out of town? To make the most of your visit, we recommend getting out and exploring the neighborhoods that best match your group’s interests. Luckily, this city has it all—from museums to nightlife, roller coasters to window shopping.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite Tampa neighborhoods to help you narrow down your itinerary, plus a few bonus insights from our local expert Skye Rodgers: 

Ybor City

According to Skye: “Tampa’s historic Latin quarter, Ybor City, is a charming, walkable neighborhood featuring cobblestone streets, wrought-iron balconies, and plenty of dining and entertainment options.”

Just northeast of Downtown and one of Tampa’s most famous neighborhoods, Ybor City sits in the historic Latin Quarter and is particularly famous for its Cuban and Latin American restaurants, boutiques, and vintage shops. And, as a National Historic Landmark District, it’s a great place to visit if you’ve got a group full of history buffs. Ybor City’s west end is also home to a large collection of LGBTQ+-friendly businesses, bars, and clubs in a subdistrict lovingly known as “GaYbor.”

Downtown Tampa

According to Skye: “With its rapidly changing skyline, downtown Tampa features the best of both worlds with world-class tourist attractions and booming business opportunities.”

Check out Downtown Tampa when you’re ready to get out of the heat and explore some of the city’s best museums! Pop into the Tampa Museum of Art to explore modern and contemporary artwork, or to simply marvel at the award-winning architecture of the exterior. The University of Tampa’s Henry B. Plant Museum showcases the city of Tampa’s history via period-themed rooms, dating all the way back to the 1890s. Downtown is also home to the Riverwalk, a great place to go for a stroll and really get to know the neighborhood. 

Hyde Park

According to Skye: “One of Tampa’s ritziest neighborhoods, Hyde Park features historic mansions lining beautiful Bayshore Boulevard, scores of trendy restaurants, and a high-fashion shopping experience in Hyde Park Village.”

Upscale Hyde Park is known for all things shopping and dining. Six blocks of this district contain shops from local indie brands all the way up to well-known international name-brands, separated by plenty of restaurants and cafes. If you’re looking for a special treat, there’s even a 24/7 cupcake ATM!

Seminole Heights

According to Skye: “As prices rose for commercial space in other parts of Tampa, this historic neighborhood became a haven for artsy shops, microbreweries, and new restaurant concepts.”

Historic Seminole Heights is known for its early 20th-century bungalow homes and was an early residential area that was connected to the rest of Tampa by streetcar. Following an economic downturn in the late 20th century, the neighborhood has since experienced a resurgence in which numerous bars, gourmet restaurants, eclectic shops, and other local businesses have set up shop.

Unleash Your Inner Pirate at Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Festival

The Gasparilla Pirate Festival began in 1904 as a simple parade that was kicked off by an “invasion” by mythical pirate José Gaspar. Today, the festivities have grown so large and so beloved that the city celebrates an entire Gasparilla Season, lasting from mid-January to mid-March each year.

Each festival’s main event is the Parade of Pirates, which draws about 300,000 visitors each year and is held on the last Saturday of January. Just before the parade, viewers can witness Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla invade the shore and capture the Key to the City from Tampa’s mayor.

Two more major parades, the Gasparilla Children’s Parade and the Sant’Yago Illuminated Knight Parade, also take place before and after the main parade, and draw about 100,000 watchers each. Throughout the season, visitors can also find smaller community events, including the Gasparilla Film Festival, the Gasparilla Music Festival, and many more.

If your group is interested in any of the season’s swashbuckling festivities, let us take you there! GOGO Charters can help you rent a bus to bring your group of eager pirates right up to the festival’s events, whether it’s a big parade or a small mid-season event.

Experience the Thrills of Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is one of the most-visited parks in North America, and if you’re into riding world-famous, record-breaking roller coasters, you’ll definitely want to pay it a visit. Notable coasters include SheiKra, North America’s first dive coaster and formerly the longest, tallest, and fastest coaster in the world; Tigris, the tallest launch coaster in Florida; and Montu, which leaves guests’ feet dangling as it takes you through twists and turns.

Those who are less interested in thrills and chills can check out the park’s zoo area, with over 200 species of animals and a safari ride.

Busch Gardens also offers special events throughout the year, including a beer fest for the cervesaphiles in your group and a Sesame Street-themed kids’ weekend for the little ones.

A day filled with walking around the theme park and screaming your head off on roller coasters can definitely take a lot out of you, which is why we recommend groups rent a charter bus for your group trip to Busch Gardens! You’ll have a professional driver who’s ready to take the wheel and a comfortable ride with all the amenities you need to rest on your way home.

Popular Trips out of Tampa

Ready to get out of Tampa for a bit? Here’s where we recommend venturing off to:

Charter Bus Rentals from Tampa to Miami

Miami attracts visitors from all over the world, but since you’re already in Tampa, you won’t have to travel too far to get there! If you decide to rent a bus to Miami, the drive will take you about 4 hours, and you'll pass through towns like Naples or Ocala and sites like the Everglades to get there. Once you’re there, you can experience Miami’s beautiful beaches, authentic Cuban cuisine, and exciting nightlife. Whether you’re there for a day or for a few weeks, we’ll be there to make sure you travel safely around the city before coming back to Tampa.

Charter Bus Rentals from Tampa to Atlanta

The 6-½ hour drive from Tampa to Atlanta isn’t particularly scenic, but you will have plenty of activities awaiting you once you arrive, including the World of Coca-Cola, the largest aquarium in the Southeast, and Dragon Con (if you’re visiting around Labor Day weekend). Instead of drawing straws to see who’s up next to drive, we can pair you with a comfortable charter bus and a professional driver, so all you have to do is sit back, scroll through Instagram with onboard WiFi, or watch a movie on your bus’s TV monitors.

Charter Bus Rentals from Tampa to Orlando

Being so close, it’s easy to understand why Orlando and Disney World make for one of the best day trips from Tampa. The drive is less than two hours, so it’s easy to pull off if you only have a day or so to spare. Pick one park to visit for the day or use your charter bus to hop between a few—you’ll be in control of your itinerary, and we’ll be here to bring you back to Tampa once your Disney excursion has wrapped up!

Charter a Bus in Tampa Today

Ready to book your trip to Tampa? No matter what brings you into town, GOGO Charters is here to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch. When you’re ready, give us a call at 813-452-6111 to learn more about charter bus prices or to receive a free quote. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about Tampa bus rentals!

How Much Does a Charter Bus Rental Cost in Tampa?

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to determining a charter bus quote, such as departure date, number of passengers, amenity requests, and bus type. As such, it’s difficult to say exactly how much your Tampa bus rental will cost if we don’t know the exact details of your trip. For a run-down of the factors that will influence your quote, check out our guide to charter bus prices. For a personalized, no-obligation quote on your Tampa charter bus, call our 24-hour team at 813-452-6111!

Ease Employee Commutes with Private Shuttles

If there’s one thing all employees have in common, it’s that they probably dread their commute into work most mornings—whether they work at an office, at a hospital, at a construction site, or at a local school. That’s why GOGO Charters works with companies across Tampa to make employee commutes more enjoyable! We can pair you with a private employee minibus shuttle outfitted with WiFi, air conditioning, reclining seats, and overhead storage so that employees can relax and enjoy the ride. Each employee shuttle bus rental also comes with a professional driver who will handle all traffic and navigation to and from your workplace.

Rent a Bus to the Beach, Busch Gardens, and Beyond

If you’re visiting Tampa with family or friends, driving should be the last thing on your mind. And who wants to split your group into multiple cars and volunteer to be designated driver when everyone is supposed to be enjoying themselves together? That’s where a private bus rental from GOGO Charters comes in! When you charter a bus with us, you can craft a custom itinerary for your Tampa trip, including your favorite spots in Ybor city, a day trip to Busch Gardens, or a trip out to Clearwater Beach. Enjoy the services of a professional bus driver while you hop from stop to stop!

Shuttle Bus Rentals to and from Tampa International Airport

Flight cancellations happen, and no matter what causes them, GOGO Charters is here to help get passengers to hotels for the night and back to Tampa International Airport when it’s safe to fly again. We can always arrange for a last-minute charter bus rental, for tens or for hundreds of passengers, operated by an experienced, professional driver. Call us when equipment malfunctions, inclement weather, or unexpected delays happen!

If you’re trying to arrange a pickup for visiting colleagues or family members, we’ve got you there, too! Just let us know when they’re scheduled to land and we’ll help you pick a sleek minibus to coordinate an airport pickup.

Organize Transportation to Tampa’s Top Educational Stops

Looking to upgrade from your typical yellow school bus? On your next Tampa field trip, GOGO Charters can provide a spacious charter bus rental outfitted with amenities like air conditioning, WiFi, and televisions with DVD players to keep all students and teachers comfortable and entertained. Plus, you’ll have a professional bus driver behind the wheel to ensure every student’s safety. Create an itinerary with stops like the Tampa Bay History Center, the Glazer Children’s Museum, the Florida Aquarium, or your favorite off-the-beaten-path attraction. When you rent a shuttle bus we can even stay with you during a multi-day class trip to make sure that every student has safe, reliable transportation on their field trip adventure!

Stay on Schedule with Corporate Event Shuttle Bus Rentals

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Planning a corporate event at the Tampa Convention Center? Or a small luncheon at Quest Workspaces? No matter the size or scale of your event, we have a shuttle bus rental that can keep your employees moving between spaces with ease. Set up a shuttle route between the convention center and local hotels, or request a one-day shuttle to bring guests from your regular office space to a temporary meeting location. Everyone will have a reliable ride, and nobody will have to worry about searching the city for parking!

Cheer on the Buccaneers, the Rays, or your Favorite Local Team with a Guaranteed Bus Ride

Headed to see the Buccaneers play at Raymond James Stadium? Or maybe you’re more of a baseball group and you can’t wait to see the Rays. Whatever sporting event has you hyped, we’ll be there to bring you right to the action with a private bus! You can rent a charter bus to take your group of dedicated fans to any sporting event in the Tampa Bay area, whether it’s for a professional team or your favorite minor league or intramural team. With a bus, you can store all essential tailgating gear without cluttering up seating space, and you’ll have a professional designated driver to safely transport everyone, no matter how crazy the partying gets!

Looking for team transportation? We’ve got you covered there, too! Rent a shuttle bus and load up everyone’s equipment and luggage into your charter bus’s storage bays and let your players rest up. We’ll do the driving so your team will arrive at your game rested and ready to perform.

Secure Daily, Weekly, or Yearly Charter Bus Rentals

Looking to rent a charter bus for the long haul? GOGO Charters can help your organization set up daily, weekly, bimonthly, or even yearly shuttling services for as long as you’ll need them. Our long-term contract team will work with you to arrange a schedule that suits your needs. Your bus rental will arrive right where you need it, outfitted with top-of-the-line amenities like WiFi, reclining seats, air conditioning, onboard restrooms, ADA-accessible features, and more.

We’ve helped event planners, travel agents, religious organizations, and more set up reliable long-term charter bus services. Let us know what type of service you’re looking for and we’ll arrange the perfect bus rental to match!

Shuttle Wedding Guests without Stress

Shuttling guests around Tampa should be the least of your worries on your wedding day. With a wedding shuttle bus rental from GOGO Charters, everyone can have a ride around town without having to drive themselves or worry about navigating traffic! Let your guests relax on board with air conditioning, plush seats, and plenty of legroom. Guests can also hook up to the bus’s sound system to play music on the way to your reception. We’ll keep your day running like clockwork, from the ceremony to the reception to the afterparty and back to your hotel.

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