New Students

Transportation to/from the Airport

At this time, USF does not offer airport pick-up options for students. Students are responsible for booking their own transportation from the airport to the university or their off-campus residences. 

When booking flights, students should consider their arrival time and make plans with transportation from the airport to their accommodations, such as a hotel, accordingly.

For more information about arriving during non-business hours, please see the "Important" box found on the Welcome page.

Important Tips for Securing a Ride

    1. Consider your booking options.
      • Pre-booking: Recommended for all, but strongly encouraged for minors (under 18), those who will not have cell phone coverage upon arrival, those in need of accommodations such as lots of large luggage, 2+ passengers, car seats, etc.
      • Booking upon arrival:  Likely using Uber or Lyft. You will need cell phone service. We caution all to ensure they book through apps and verify driver information before entering the vehicle.
    2. Please ensure you are booking with a license and insured ride option. You can and should ask for proof.
    3. Ensure that your drop off location is open and available for you to check in. Most car services will not assist you once they have reached your drop off location.
    4. Do not take free rides from USF student groups or USF affiliated groups as they are not properly insured. If an accident or incident occurs from the airport to your destination, the group may not have the proper insurance to cover you in the event of injury or alternative transportation for reaching your destination. If you have a family/friend in the area that is ok!

NOTE

Any reference to external organizations, services, products, or websites on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not mean that the USF approves or officially supports them. USF makes no guarantees about the accuracy, usefulness, or reliability of information from outside sources. We encourage all users to carefully evaluate third-party content and make informed decisions before using or relying on it.

Transportation to Campus

The closest airport to the USF Tampa campus is (TPA) and it is located approximately 19 miles (30.5 kilometers) from campus while TPA to the USF St. Petersburg campus is about 21 miles (33 kilometers). Other local airports are (PIE) and (SRQ).

Arriving to Florida from outside the Tampa Bay Area

Students may opt for more internationally routed airports, such as (MCO), (FLL), or (MIA). Students can take connecting flights from Fort Lauderdale and Miami to Tampa, however, Orlando currently does not have a connecting flight to Tampa. All airports listed above have free Wifi to access once in the complex.

Several companies offer affordable bus transportation to Tampa and St. Petersburg from other locations around the United States. Please visit each company's website below for accurate details regarding routes, prices, and riding policies.*

* RedCoach and FlixBus have a stop at the USF Tampa campus. FlixBus is labeled "Univ of South Florida" while RedCoach is labeled "Tampa USF". The on the Tampa campus is located nearest to the Fine Arts Studio (south) and the Parking and Transportation Services (PATS) office (north) with the Marshall Student Center located within a 5 minute walk (east).

Local Car Service Options

Local Car service options for all three campuses can be found below. More information can also be found at the ground transportation airport links above. All these airports have a variety of ground transportation options including taxis (Uber/Lyft/Yellow Cab), public bus transportation, car rentals, private transport, etc. Please visit each site below for detailed information via your corresponding airport.**

** Students should budget at least $50 USD for an Uber/Lyft from the Tampa International Airport (TPA) to campus while other Taxi services fees differ. 

Additional car/transport options are listed:

  • AA Town Car – Website:
    • AA town car USF specific reservation site:
  • ExecuCar – Website:
    • Reservation site:
  • Mears Transportation – Website:

Public Bus Transportation

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) bus stop is located at the . Follow signs to Remote Curbside. The route map and schedule are posted at the bus stop. Please visit the website of the service provider for the current schedule and fare information:

  • For more information visit online or call (813) 254-4278.
  • For more information visit online or call (727) 540-1900.
  • Route directions from .
  • Route directions from ***

*** St. Petersburg will have a direct line from TPA to Downtown St. Petersburg starting in October 2026 via the .

Once you have arrived to your campus, you may start riding public transportation for free given you obtained your USF ID Card (for the USF Bull Runner bus) and a Flamingo Card (for all public transport in the Tampa Bay region).