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Cheap bus tickets from Tampa to Lakeland

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Tampa to Lakeland Bus Schedule

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Bus from Tampa to Lakeland: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Tampa to Lakeland. Traveling by bus from Tampa to Lakeland usually takes around 40 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 35 minutes.

Distance32 mi (51 km)
Shortest duration0h 35m
Cheapest price€12.49
Trips per day4
Most frequent serviceGreyhound
Bus lines2

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How much is a bus ticket from Tampa to Lakeland?

Bus tickets for a trip from Tampa to Lakeland cost €12.96 on average. This is an excellent value for the trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Tampa to Lakeland by travel date

€13€9€4MayMay

Over the next four weeks, the average price of bus tickets from Tampa to Lakeland is expected to be between €13 and €13. The cheapest day to travel in the next month is May 20, 2025, when tickets are available for May 20, 2025. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next week start at just €13.

Average bus ticket prices from Tampa to Lakeland by month

€22€18€13€9€4JJASONDJFMAM
Traveling from Tampa to Lakeland by bus will cost you about the same throughout the year. In general, bus ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around €13 whenever you decide to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

€22€18€13€9€43020100

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 26 days in advance to save €4.45 or more on your ticket, compared to booking at the last minute.

What bus companies travel from Tampa to Lakeland?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Tampa to Lakeland that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Greyhound usually offers more choice, with 3 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
FlixBus US20h 45m€13.94
Greyhound30h 41m€13.57
  • 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 2 trips per day from Tampa to Lakeland, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

  • Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus 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 3 bus trips from Tampa to Lakeland every day, with the average journey taking around 0 hours and 41 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Lakeland usually start from €12.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Tampa to Lakeland

The bus takes an average of 40 minutes to cover the 32 miles from Tampa to Lakeland. However, the fastest bus only takes 35 minutes. It's a short trip that goes by very quickly. 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.

Saturday is usually the day when buses are busiest, as many travelers take the bus to enjoy the weekend in Lakeland. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 1:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Tampa to Lakeland, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Tampa to Lakeland every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Tampa to Lakeland without transferring.

City Information

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.

Lakeland

Lakeland, FL, US - LAK-0

Image credit: Dave Ouellette

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Lakeland is a city between Tampa and Orlando. It is known for its rich history and architectural sites, especially the Florida Southern College, which has buildings designed by the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright. History and art lovers in Lakeland can visit the Polk Museum of Art and check out the collection of artifacts and contemporary paintings. The Munn Park Historic District in Lakeland is another city highlight, boasting early 1900s architecture and a wide range of antique shops.

Downtown Lakeland offers explosive nightlife with a wide range of breweries and taprooms. If you're interested in something new, the city has seen a massive growth of kava bars in its area. The city is also known for its annual Lakeland Festival of Light, where you can join people to light up the mountain.

It is easy to visit Lakeland from other cities by train and bus. Amtrak and FlixBus US provide daily trips from tens of other cities to the town. The Lakeland Area Mass Transit District provides public transportation within the city.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Tampa?

Main departure 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.

All bus stations in Tampa:

  • Tampa Bus Station

Where does the bus arrive in Lakeland?

Main arrival station: 924 W Robson St

All buses from Tampa arrive at one main station in Lakeland.

All bus stations in Lakeland:

  • 924 W Robson St

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Lakeland by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

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