TPA All Access allows non-flyers access to Tampa International Airport’s stores, restaurants, and amenities. Find out all about it here.
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When we fly, we usually have a layover. Our local airport is pretty small, so we usually have to fly to a major hub to connect to our final destination.
When I’m in those large airports, it’s usually only for a handful of minutes to get from one gate to another before my connecting flight takes off. I see all the shops and restaurants in a blur as I race to my next flight.
The Tampa Airport changed that with its TPA All Access program, which started in May 2019. It lasted until early 2020 before the state of the world closed it.
But, after a long five year hiatus, TPA All Access was reinstated in November 2025.
TPA All Access allows non-flyers access to the airport’s 70+restaurants and shopping. Which means if you’re picking up a friend from the airport, you can wait inside at, say, Cigar City Brewing rather than waiting in the cell phone lot.
Then, when your friend gets off the plane, you can meet them right there at the gate rather than downstairs at the airport’s entry — or on the street where you have to rush into the car before security tells you you’ve gotta move.
Tampa Airport’s TPA All Access: Everything you need to know
Usually if you want to get past airport security, you need a boarding pass. With the Tampa Airport (TPA), you just need the TPA All Access Pass.
It allows you the same access to restaurants and shops that you would get as a passenger, just without the flight.
If you want to hang out at the airport, everyone in your group needs to sign up for a TPA All Access Pass at least 24 hours before your visit (this includes minors).
Everyone can visit, but everyone needs their own pass.
If you want to check it out, we encourage you to sign up ahead of time because access is limited to six people per two hour block.
When you’re signing up for a pass, you’ll have to choose a two hour window. If there are too many people already signed up, you’ll have to choose another time to enter.
You can stay longer than that window, but, since you have to go through security (just like a flight passenger does), it limits the disruption on TSA.
Because yes, anyone using TPA All Access has to go through traditional security and follow security restrictions (like no liquids over 3 oz., etc.). If it could go in your carry on, it can go with you. If it can’t, leave it home.
Quick note: TSA PreCheck is only for passengers who are flying. Global Entry is also reserved for flyers as well. So, even if you have PreCheck, you have to wait on the regular line with everyone else if you’re just using a TSA All Access Pass.
Once you get to Tampa International Airport, you go to the Information Kiosk (on Level 3) of the main terminal with a valid ID. You’ll get your pass there.
Then, use it to access to one of Tampa Airport’s four airsides (A, C, E, and F). You’ll choose which airside when you sign up for your free pass.
You are allowed access to the shops, restaurants, amenities, and the Duty Free shop within that airside. Visitors with a TPA All Access Pass are prohibited from purchasing tobacco and/or alcohol at the Duty Free shop, though.
Keep in mind, you’re restricted to one airside if — and only if — you have a TPA All Access pass. Passengers with valid boarding passes are able to visit another airside, if they have a lot of time to kill at the airport.
TPA Restaurants And Shops By Airside
The best airside is up to you and your taste buds. But, I can tell you what you have access to at each.
Airside A:
Auntie Anne’s Pretzels/Duomo Gelato; Bay Coffee & Tea Company; Burger 21, Chick-fil-A, CNBC Smart Shop; Ducky’s Sports Lounge; Dylan’s Candy Bar; InMotion (electronics store); New York New York Pizza; Pei Wei; Ron Jon Surf Shop; Shades of Time (watch shop); Starbucks; Stellar Bay News + Market; and The Apartment (fashion accessories).
Fun fact: We flew Avelo Airlines in and out of Tampa International Airport in December 2025 and this was our airside.
I grabbed a hot chocolate at Starbucks and Pete grabbed a drink at Ducky’s Sports Lounge while we were waiting for our flight.
Airside C:
Bavaro’s (pizza); Burger 21; Cafe Con Leche; Cigar City Brewing (Tampa-based beer handcrafted on site); Goody Goody (burgers); Louis Pappas (Greek food); News Channel 8 WFLA (newsstand); NewsLink (newsstand); Paradigm Beauty (beauty products); PDQ (chicken and more); RumFish Grill; Spanx; Starbucks; Stellar Bay News; Tech on the Go (electronics); Time Zone and Shades (eyewear and watches); and Ulele (oysters and drinks).
Fun fact: We flew Avelo Airlines in and out of Tampa International Airport in December 2024 and this was our airside. There’s a large aquarium as part of RumFish and for that reason, I liked this better than Airside C.
Airside E:
1942 Tequila Lounge; Air Essentials (newsstand); Columbia Cafe (Spanish/Cuban food); Corsa Collections (jewelry and handbags); Four Green Fields (Irish pub); illy Cafe; Panda Express; Potbelly Sandwich Shop; Starbucks; Tampa Bay Times; and World Duty Free of Tampa.
Airside F:
Bay To Bay News (newsstand); Bella’s Cafe (pizza and Italian food); Buddy Brew; Cigar City Taproom; illy Caffe; Liquid Provisions (cocktails and small plates); Square One (burgers and beer); Starbucks; Stellar Bay News; Swarovski; Tech on the Go (electronics); The Cafe by Mise en Place (American dining and cocktails); The Gasparilla Bar (pirate ship bar); Tumi (luggage); World Duty-Free of Tampa; and Yogurtology.
Fun fact: We were here on a layover from Puerto Rico, but since we were flying in and out of the same gate, we weren’t supposed to get off the plane during the layover (whoops).
TPA All Access: Frequently Asked Questions
There aren’t any costs associated with TPA All Access.
The passes are available daily, from 9 am to 7 pm. You can choose to enter during one of six two-hour time blocks during the day.
Keep in mind that specific store and restaurant hours may vary, so you may not have access to certain stores and restaurants depending on what time you use your pass.
Head to the TPA website and schedule your trip.
When you arrive at the airport, go to the Information Kiosk (on Level 3) of the main terminal between 9 am and 7 pm (depending on the time you chose) on the day you’re visiting.
You do. There are short term, long term, and economy parking options available. You will have to pay for that. You can’t shop or dine and have a parking ticket validated.
Other Airports With Non-Ticketed Access
The Tampa International Airport isn’t the only airport with this type of program. There are a dozen others domestically, each with its own rules and restrictions.
You can find this type of program domestically at:
- Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) with ABQ FlySide Pass
- Capital Regional International Airport (LAN) via the LAN Visitor Pass Program
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) via the Hopkins Hangout Pass
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) with the DTW Destination Pass
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) via the OC AirPASS
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI) with the Guest Pass Program
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) via the Indulge MSY Guest Pass
- Nashville International Airport (BNA) with the BNA PASSport
- Ontario International Airport (ONT) via the ONT+ Visitor Pass Program (Note: This airport is in California)
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) via the Stay & Play Visitor Pass
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) with the Wingmate Pass
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT) via the SAT Pass
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) via the SAN Pass
- Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with the SEA Visitor Pass Program
- Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) via the PSC Pass
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL) in Oklahoma via the TUL Visitor Pass Program
The Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) used to have the MyPITpass program, which (I believe) was the debut program for this, but that was suspended in 2020 and hasn’t come back.
What do you think about TPA All Access? Let us know in the comments.
Enriqueta E Lemoine
Monday 6th of May 2019
Love, love, love Tampa and it's only four hours away from home, so usually just drive. Thanks for all the info!
LiveLoveAndAdventure
Sunday 5th of May 2019
What a great idea! Airports are such a challenge especially when you are there for a long time. I try to book flights that are non stop but sometimes it's unavoidable. I hope this works and they expand to other airports!
David Elliott
Saturday 4th of May 2019
That's so great they have something like this for the airports. It was a pain in the butt not to be able to go past a certain point and not see loved ones or shop or anything. This would be so good.
Laura G
Friday 3rd of May 2019
That's fascinating!! Never heard of it... very very interesting!!
Heidi
Friday 3rd of May 2019
I had no idea airports did this. I wonder if my local airport has something like that. When I'm flying, I'm always way too busy to have time to check out the shops!