Getting in

• Tampa International Airport: The sensible public option is PSTA’s 300X express to downtown St. Petersburg when it is running: roughly 45–60 minutes, with a small local-bus fare (check the current PSTA fare policy and timetable). It is good value but not useful late at night or on weekends if schedules are thin. For two or more people, use Uber/Lyft or a taxi: typically 30–45 minutes and roughly US$35–60 before surge pricing; rush-hour bridges can make that much longer. Do not pay for a private “airport transfer.”
• St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport: PIE is closer to St. Pete but has far fewer flights. A rideshare/taxi to downtown is the practical choice: about 20–30 minutes and roughly US$25–45 before surge. PSTA buses can connect, but this is a slow, indirect trip with luggage—expect about an hour or more—so use it only if saving money matters more than time.
• Tampa Union Station: Amtrak’s Tampa stop is across the bay, not in St. Petersburg. Take Uber/Lyft or a taxi to downtown St. Pete: usually 30–50 minutes, roughly US$35–65, and substantially longer at weekday peak traffic. There is no rail link and no tourist-friendly direct transfer worth building an arrival around.