RV friendly airport near Tampa?

tkatc · #1 03-06-2012, 05:09 AM

Flying into the Tampa area on Saturday to see some spring training baseball. Staying Saturday and Sunday night. What's the best little airport where my RV will be safe and logistically works as far as rental car and such??

cyberpilot10 · #2 03-06-2012, 06:41 AM

KVDF..... Tampa Exec. I think they have Rental cars available or can arrange for them...

mannanj · #3 03-06-2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberpilot10

KVDF..... Tampa Exec. I think they have Rental cars available or can arrange for them...

I've stopped there a couple of times for Sun n Fun. Call ahead for the car.

tcard · #4 03-06-2012, 07:23 AM

We stopped at Peter O Knight last year. Great service, and a fun approach over the bay. We didn't get a car, but did learn that you have to point out the airport on a map to the taxi drivers or they will take you to the main airport no matter how many times you say the name.

roadrunner20 · #5 03-06-2012, 05:20 PM

Albert Whitted (KSPG), in downtown St Petersburg. Great approaches over the bay, the pier or over the top of USF(University of South Florida) depending on the active runway.
Beautiful airport, hangar restaurant & lots to do downtown. The beaches are about 5 miles away. If the wife is with you... great shopping and the Dali museum is adjacent to the airport. This will also give you great access to both sides of the bay for games.
Be sure to check prices at Tampa Exec(VDF) as they've initiated landing fees a few months back. I'm not sure what other fees they may also charge.
Although, they may be waived for overnights.

tkatc · #6 03-06-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanLandry

If the wife is with you...

No, Vlad is going to Texas.

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I have ruled out VDF because of fees. Maybe something just North of Tampa. I would really like to have the car waiting for me or VERY close to the airport. Maybe I should look for "Enterprise", don't they come and pick you up?

dmaib · #7 03-06-2012, 07:44 PM

We have been in to Peter O Knight a couple of times and it is a nice airport with friendly staff. Several close restaurants on Davis Island. (The airport is on Davis Island) We have always been met by friends, so am not sure about rental cars, but a call to the FBO would clear that up.

roadrunner20 · #8 03-06-2012, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkatc

No, Vlad is going to Texas.

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I have ruled out VDF because of fees. Maybe something just North of Tampa. I would really like to have the car waiting for me or VERY close to the airport. Maybe I should look for "Enterprise", don't they come and pick you up?

SPG, St Petersburg has car rentals on site.
PIE, St Pete/Clearwater has car rentals but may be a little more expensive.
This airport is right across the bay, & is to the west of TPA, Tampa. Signature is the FBO & is pricey.

carlrai · #9 03-07-2012, 04:26 AM

If you're going to games in Tampa, Peter O Knight or Tampa Exec. Peter O has a wonderful approach over the water if you have a NE wind and is very close to downtown.
Tampa Exec on the edge of town but another good choice if you're heading south as it's close to I-75 and I-4 if heading towards Orlando or St Pete.

If the majority of your time is going to be spent in St Pete/Pinellas county for games, Dan's suggestion of Albert Whitted would be my choice.

And if you just want to take a few hours to hang out with a bunch of RV'ers, come over to Zephyrhills, KZPH. 5 min hop from KVDF. Let me know if you're coming and I'll try to get Dan over here too.

By the way, your thread is one of the most useful on the forum. Thanks for taking the time with the responses.

tkatc · #10 03-07-2012, 06:59 AM

Carl,
ZPH looks pretty attractive to me. Cheap gas, not too far away from Steinbrenner Stadium (going to see Phillies/Yankees on Sunday), and keeps me away from Tampa class B airspace. There seems to be rental cars at the airport but they close at noon on Saturday and I won't be arriving until 6 or 7pm. I'll have to call to see what arrangements can be made.