Anyone fly into an airport other than Orlando?

[visitingapril09]

Just experimenting to see if flying into another airport would be more economical. We have to rent a car anyway, regardless of where we land, anyone done this and if so what airport did you fly into and what was the drive like?

 

[OKW Lover]

We regularly check prices to TPA and when its cheaper have no problem flying there instead of MCO. There is only about a 45 minute difference in the drive between TPA>WDW and MCO>WDW. So if you're renting a car anyway consider flying to TPA.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

MCO & TPA will nearly always have the lowest fares because of the wealth of low fare airlines that fly to each. My experience has been that MCO is usually the same or cheaper than TPA however the cheapest seats to MCO may be sold out whereas TPA still has availability, thus making TPA cheaper.

Other nearby airports with airline service include MLB, DAB and SRQ. It's just unlikely that fares to those airports will be lower. Sometimes JAX has bargain fares but now you're 2 hours away from Orlando.

Don't forget Allegiant flies into Orlando-Sanford International (SFB) as well as St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE).

BobK/Orlando

 

[Oglet]

Don't forget Allegiant flies into Orlando-Sanford International (SFB) as well as St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE).

BobK/Orlando

They have some of the best prices that I've seen.

 

[CPT Tripss]

We regularly check prices to TPA and when its cheaper have no problem flying there instead of MCO. There is only about a 45 minute difference in the drive between TPA>WDW and MCO>WDW. So if you're renting a car anyway consider flying to TPA.

yeap! That's my answer too.

 

[duffy]

Don't forget Allegiant flies into Orlando-Sanford International (SFB) as well as St. Petersburg-Clearwater International (PIE).

BobK/Orlando

They have some of the best prices that I've seen.

Another thumbs up for Allegiant and Sanford!! The further drive is a small price to pay for lower prices, free parking at my local airport (Hagerstown, MD) and the smaller, easy to navigate terminals.

 

[richmo]

I've flown into TPA on occasion and some trips I've flown into TPA/MCO and out MCO/TPA. One time several years ago I even roundtripped to JAX, because the fare was so low.

When you do the price comparison, also be sure to check the car rental rates. They're usually pretty close in price, but sometimes cars in TPA are a lot less, and sometimes the reverse is true. Also, if you do something like I mentioned earlier: for instance, fly into TPA then go home from MCO, the car rental companies usually don't have a drop off charge within Florida. I've also heard that sometimes you can't apply coupons if not returning to the same place, but I haven't personally had that problem.

On the comments on Allegiant: yes, they do have some good fares, but be sure to read their fine print. They add on a convenience charge, I think $15 per ticket, for ordering online. The convenience charge is even higher if you make your reservations over the phone ($25?). The only way to avoid it is to buy at the airport ticket counter, and I understand that is only open near scheduled flight times...so you're kind of stuck. Plus they have the baggage charges that everyone except SW has.

 

[onelilspark]

I've flown into Tampa for a WDW vacation before. My parents live south, in between the two cities, so I'm always checking both when I head down. Most of the time MCO is cheaper, but occasionally Tampa will be. They're usually pretty close in price, so sometimes it's the flight times that make my decision. I like Tampa's airport too (not that I dislike MCO) it's very easy to get around and very clean.

 

[staceyj2]

We've used TPA round trip once and return only once when the prices were cheaper than MCO. Most of the time MCO prices are about the same as I can find for TPA but occasionally TPA is cheaper. The drive from TPA to WDW was easy and we loved the smaller airport.

 

[Melknor]

We flew into Tampa twice last year and drove to Orlando. It was cheaper for us than into MCO. We needed a rental car both times, so that worked out fine. The drive is really easy, although we weren't there during rush hour.

This year we are flying into MCO as it was cheaper, plus we are staying onsite this time, so no need for a rental car.

 

[duffy]

On the comments on Allegiant: yes, they do have some good fares, but be sure to read their fine print. They add on a convenience charge, I think $15 per ticket, for ordering online. The convenience charge is even higher if you make your reservations over the phone ($25?). The only way to avoid it is to buy at the airport ticket counter, and I understand that is only open near scheduled flight times...so you're kind of stuck. Plus they have the baggage charges that everyone except SW has.

Reading the fine print is something I do with every purchase. When I am ready to buy my tickets, I'll just take a trip to the airport, and do some shopping at the outlet mall nearby. Because their flights are on Friday evenings, I'll plan an evening shopping and ticket purchasing.

I don't check any luggage. Win-win!!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

If you have to rent a car I would recommend Allegiant to Sanford, we flew into there in Feb and it was nice. The airport is small and not crowded. Checking in to fly back out was a breeze and we made it thru the security line in no time (thank goodness b/c we were super late).

 

[a1tinkfans]

We flew into Tampa twice last year and drove to Orlando. It was cheaper for us than into MCO. We needed a rental car both times, so that worked out fine. The drive is really easy, although we weren't there during rush hour.

This year we are flying into MCO as it was cheaper, plus we are staying onsite this time, so no need for a rental car.

HI
I am doing this same thing this trip, (we have to be in a neighboring town for several days) would you mind telling me:
*which rental car company you used?
*Did you keep the car or just drop it off, was that at Car Care Center or elsewhere?
Any tips, about the drive, tolls? easiest route? TIA

 

[NCDrew]

If you have to rent a car I would recommend Allegiant to Sanford, we flew into there in Feb and it was nice. The airport is small and not crowded. Checking in to fly back out was a breeze and we made it thru the security line in no time (thank goodness b/c we were super late).

PirateGirl-

We are planning our first Star Wars Weekend for the weekend of May 22, too! And we are flying into SFB. Any tips on which car company to rent from? We plan to only use the car for the trip up and back because our time share resort has transportation to the parks. Have you ever gone with a private car instead? I'm wondering if for a little more money it might be worth it not to have to drive and rent/return a car.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Bumped for HELP!

 

[Beckypooh1972]

We've flown into Sanford from Louisville, KY. We had good air fares to Sanford however the car rentals we've found are more expensive in Sanford so for us it is pretty much a wash. We'd rather fly into Orlando where it is more convenient and we find cheaper car rentals in Orlando.

 

[dzneelvr]

Allegient and Sanford are our combo to WDWI use Happy Limo to/from the resort but get on the sanford website and check out the vehicle rental offerings. I'll admit there are cheaper tickets to be had, but I can't hassle with dates or availability--when we have the window to go, we have to take it due to DS and DD work and college schedules. I lock down as soon as Allegient has the dates up. Sanford is SO relaxing and convenient compared to Orlando International. This summer it's July for us and we couldn't be happierAs far as renting a car for WDW, we don't because of the Disney transportation--it's free, efficient, and neither DH nor I want to drive on vacationWe don't see the point. The ride will take you about 50-60 minutes to get to the resorts; plan on a pick up time about 3 hours prior to your flight home. bottomline: it's nice to have choices

 

[richmo]

HI
I am doing this same thing this trip, (we have to be in a neighboring town for several days) would you mind telling me:
*which rental car company you used?
*Did you keep the car or just drop it off, was that at Car Care Center or elsewhere?
Any tips, about the drive, tolls? easiest route? TIA

Bumped for HELP!

I'm not sure exactly what you need help with, since I'm not sure of your exact travel plans and preferences, but here goes:

When I've flown into TPA and dropped at MCO, I've used Alamo. However, you should look and see which companies have good rates, etc. I tend to keep the car myself and drop it at MCO, but that's personal preference. I'd rather drive to the parks than use the Disney bus system, but that's just me. If you do decide to drop the car at the Car Care Center (or the Dolphin), you'll need to rent with either Alamo or National. Some of the other agencies have locations at Downtown Disney hotels if you want to drop the car early. Also consider that sometimes it may be cheaper to keep the car and drop it at MCO, than to drop it off early. Sometimes the satellite locations are more expensive and sometimes by keeping it longer you slip into the weekly rates, as opposed to daily, which can work in your favor. If you do drop at MCO, I'd pick an agency that has onsite rentals both at TPA and MCO (at MCO that would be Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise and National. I think Thrifty might be there as well now. Most notably, Hertz is not onsite).

The drive from TPA to MCO is about 1.5 hours, mostly on I-4. No tolls.