Seattle-Tacoma to Tampa International
2517 miles great-circle distance, typically flown in 5h 28m with 8 airlines operating direct service from Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) to Tampa International (TPA). Cheapest fares are usually in January (around $249 return), with peak prices in August (around $747). Departures on a Tuesday tend to undercut weekend prices on this corridor.
Flying from Seattle-Tacoma
Seattle-Tacoma is Alaska Airlines' principal hub and Delta's growing Pacific Northwest base. The Link Light Rail Red Line runs from the airport's elevated station directly to Westlake in downtown Seattle in 38 minutes for $3.25 — possibly the easiest big-city transfer in the country. International long-haul has expanded sharply post-2023 with new direct service to Tokyo, Seoul, Frankfurt, London Heathrow and Auckland. Weather delays are rare; SEA is one of the most operationally reliable winter airports in the US.
Arriving in Tampa
Tampa International is 6 miles west of downtown Tampa. HART bus 30 runs every 30 minutes to downtown for $2; the SkyConnect automated train links the main terminal to a consolidated rental car centre on the airport grounds. Fares to TPA peak around the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff games and during spring break (March); summer is cheaper despite Gulf-coast humidity. The Brightline rail extension to Tampa is planned for late 2026.
Who flies SEA to TPA?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| Alaska Airlines | AS | 5h 28m | Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | DL | 5h 28m | Economy |
| Southwest Airlines | WN | 5h 28m | Economy |
| American Airlines | AA | 5h 28m | Economy |
| United Airlines | UA | 5h 28m | Economy |
| JetBlue Airways | B6 | 5h 28m | Economy |
| Spirit Airlines | NK | 5h 28m | Economy |
| Hawaiian Airlines | HA | 5h 28m | Economy |
8 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Best time to fly SEA→TPA
Synthesised from 12-month price aggregates. Cheapest months in green, peak in red.
Estimated baseline. Prices update on a 30-day cadence as Travelpayouts data refreshes. Cheapest day-of-week typically Tuesday.
Seattle to Tampa FAQs
Direct flights from Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) to Tampa International (TPA) take approximately 5h 28m for the 2517-mile journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
January is typically the cheapest month on this route, with one-way fares from $249. August is the peak — expect prices 2–3× higher. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for best fares; last-minute prices on this corridor rise sharply inside two weeks of departure.
8 carriers operate direct service from Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) to Tampa International (TPA): Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines and 3 more. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — Alaska Airlines typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
No — United States is domestic travel for US citizens. A US passport is not required for the 50 states, DC or US territories (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands), though Real ID-compliant ID is required at TSA from May 2025.
Tampa International (TPA) is the primary international airport for Tampa. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus, taxi or rideshare depending on traffic and time of day. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.