4.0
Pros: I liked that the bus driver was on time, and I even made it to Tampa earlier than expected! Cons: There were no outlets by my seat. There should be charging stations available for every passenger.
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Journey Information
There are 13 intercity buses per day from Gainesville to Tampa. Traveling by bus from Gainesville to Tampa usually takes around 6 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest RedCoach Business bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 35 minutes.
| Distance | 118 mi (190 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 35m |
| Cheapest price | €20.72 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | FlixBus US |
| Bus lines | 3 |
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for buses from Gainesville to Tampa
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Buses from Gainesville to Tampa
- FlixBus US: 7 daily buses from €38
- Greyhound: 5 daily buses from €37
- RedCoach Business: 1 daily buses from €21
How much is a bus ticket from Gainesville to Tampa?
€41.65 is the average price of a bus ticket from Gainesville to Tampa. Any tickets cheaper than €41.65 can be considered a great deal. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.
Average prices by travel date
Bus tickets from Gainesville to Tampa are expected to cost between €41 and €63 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Tampa within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from €49. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
Monthly average prices
Bus tickets from Gainesville to Tampa are at their cheapest average price in May. This time of year usually offers the best deals on bus tickets for this route, with ticket prices around €42. On the other hand, traveling on this route during November might cost you a bit more than usual. Bus tickets for November trips cost €55, on average. But no need to stress — booking your bus ticket in advance can help you snag cheaper tickets.
Prices as travel date approaches
The easiest way to save money on bus tickets is by booking in advance! Many carriers increase prices as the travel date approaches, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets as early as possible. Book at least 29 days in advance to save €39.02 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.
What bus companies travel from Gainesville to Tampa?
There are 3 bus lines from Gainesville to Tampa available for you to search and compare on Wanderu. With 7 daily trips, FlixBus US usually has the most buses running on any given day. Here are some time and price comparisons for all the available options:
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 7 | 5h 52m | €65.17 |
| Greyhound | 5 | 7h 9m | €59.61 |
| RedCoach Business | 1 | 2h 35m | €41.73 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 7 trips per day from Gainesville to Tampa, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide coach carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 5 bus trips from Gainesville to Tampa every day, with the average journey taking around 7 hours and 9 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Tampa usually start from €37.
- Red Coach is an American bus company headquartered in Orlando, FL and one of the most prominent ground travel providers in the United States. Red Coach buses are some of the best in the industry, featuring large reclining seats, extra legroom, flat screen TVs, as well as free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. Red Coach Business service features 18 inch wide seats, foot rests and 2 checked bags. For journeys from Gainesville to Tampa, Red Coach’s schedule offers 1 bus trips every day with prices starting from €21.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 190 kilometers from Gainesville to Tampa. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 35 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Because many passengers travel from Gainesville to Tampa at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 03:00 and the last bus leaves at 17:00. To see the times for all buses from Gainesville to Tampa, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 13 scheduled buses that travel from Gainesville to Tampa every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.
City Information
Gainesville
Blessed with amazing natural landmarks and a vibrant cultural life, Gainesville offers a whole new Florida experience that is far from the decadence often associated with the state. If you wish to explore creative works made by local artists, head over to the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, which features great exhibitions that dive into the life of many inventors and entrepreneurs. Another great museum to visit is the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. For those who want to marvel at the city’s natural landmarks, go for a hiking trip along the trails of Alfred A. Ring Park, or the Barr Hammock Preserve.
Gainesville’s local favorite is the 4 Rivers Smokehouse, which offers delicious briskets. For some of the freshest local dishes, head over to Alpin Bistro.
The main bus station in Gainesville is the Greyhound Bus Terminal located on NE 23rd Ave, which welcomes buses from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston and beyond. There is no rail service to Gainesville. However, the city is part of Amtrak’s network via the carrier’s Thruway bus service, which operates out of the same station. The main airport is the Gainesville Regional Airport, which lies in the northeast part of the city.
Tampa
Sitting at the heart of the Gulf Coast, Tampa offers a perfect blend of cultural attractions and relaxing indulgences. Infused with a colorful mix of Cuban and Spanish cultural elements, the city of Tampa houses some of the most impressive historic buildings in the state, including the Henry B. Plant Museum, which boasts a permanent exhibition of Victorian-era artifacts. Animal lovers can also rejoice, as the city’s many aquariums and zoos will certainly melt your heart. Head down to the Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center for some heart-melting cuteness. And for animal lovers with a penchant for streaming docu-series, the Big Cat Rescue (yes, THAT one!) will be a great choice.
Most of the finest restaurants in town are concentrated around the Riverwalk area, which offers unrivaled views of the waterfront. Oystercatchers is reputed as one of the best establishments in town, so you should not miss out on it. Tampa’s cuisine features a very clear Cuban influence, and the best spot to try out these unique fusion dishes is at Ybor City.
The principal train station in the city is the Tampa Union Station, which is also a historic building. It is currently served by Amtrak. At the station, travelers can also take an Amtrak Thruway motorcoach to get to Orlando, Lakeland, Bradenton, etc. The main airport is Tampa International Airport, which is located just six miles west of downtown Tampa.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Gainesville?
Main departure station: Rosa Parks Downtown Station
Buses to Tampa leave from 3 stations in Gainesville.
All bus stations in Gainesville:
Rosa Parks Downtown Station
Gainesville Bus Stop
1956 Gale Lemerand Drive
Where does the bus arrive in Tampa?
Main arrival station: Tampa Bus Station
Located on Polk Street, the Greyhound Bus Terminal is Tampa’s main terminal for intercity bus service to cities such as Orlando, Miami, and Atlanta. Travelers on Greyhound will find ample parking in the surrounding area and a comfortable waiting room with restrooms and a small café inside. Conveniently located in the North Franklin St Historic District in downtown Tampa, the bus terminal is within a short walk of several dining options and connections to local public transit to travel within Tampa.
Bus stations in Tampa:
Tampa Bus Station
USF - Theatre Ctr - 3801 USF Holly Drive
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