Arriving in Sanford after car rentals close - what to do?

[fourfoxesinpa]

7 people, flying into Sanford and arriving at midnight. Suggestions? (thinking of staying near/on Universal).

Thanks!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[RMAMom]

I have never been to the Sanford airport but my impression from reading the boards is that it isn't close to WDW. Your only option may be to see if there is a hote close bye with a shuttle where you can spend the night. Have you contacted any car services?

 

[Alesia]

Call the car rental company and see if picking up after hours is an option. If not, you'll need to take a cab.

 

[richmo]

I can't answer for Sanford, but one of the local airports up here has a key pickup service for after hours (they do the same for drop off). I would get the local number of the Sanford agency you are thinking of renting from and ask them what they do.

 

[sam_gordon]

1) Call the car rental company and see if they provide some kind of after hours pickup (doubtful)
2) Arrange for a cab or towncar
3) Arrange a stay in a nearby hotel that provides shuttle service
4) Sleep in the airport until the rental car agencies open

I'm guessing one of the above will work.

 

[nacho113]

If you're thinking of a hotel for the night, this webpage may help.
http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/accomodations.asp
Shows hotels in the area and the ones that have shuttle service. You may still have to call the hotel as it looks like standard shuttle service stops at 11pm also.
Heres a link to taxis, limos, shuttles that are available (but pricey) http://www.orlandosanfordairport.com/taxi_limo_shuttle.asp

My other thought, although I could be way off base with this, was to double check your arrival time, compensating for time zones, 24 hour clock etc. SFB is not a busy airport and when I check arrivals for this whole next week, the latest flight arrives at 10:35PM.
It's just a thought, since it basically seems like the airport closes down at 11PM as a general rule so I'm guessing this is why the rental car agencies are also only open until 11PM.

My other, other thought on this is, if your airline is flying in after normal operating hours for some reason, there is a possibility that at least 1 or 2 of the rental companies may stay open on this particular day to accommodate the flight. Is it a special day or holiday like Thanksgiving?

 

[kydisneyfans]

Usually all reservations for a late arrival get funneled into 1 company that stays open late. I had a 9:30 reservation through Hertz and my flight landed at 1:20, the reservation was moved to the 24 hour Enterprise airport location. This was not in Sanford though.

 

[stinkpickle]

Call the car rental company and see if picking up after hours is an option...

This. ^^^

 

[Sandi]

I had a late arrival time into Sanford several years ago. I think I rented from National or Alamo and, on their website, it said they closed before my plane would land. I called and was told that they would stay open and knew about the flight schedules. I felt comfortable enough to book and they did, indeed, stay open. Just about everyone on that plane was getting a rental car and the agencies would have lost out on a lot of revenue if they'd have just closed. I suggest you call -- and call the Sanford Airport location, not the 800 number.

 

[ain0004]

We are flying in at 1035 pm and the Alamo website states they close at 11pm. So I am nervous. I too called and they stated they will wait. Al I need to do is put my flight information in. They worker claims they check this and are prepared for late arrivals. Here hoping

 

[n2mm]

OP, did you not know this when you booked? We have allegiant near us and we've never used them. The flight leaves here at 7pm and arrives in Sanford around 10ish so because I know flights can be late And did check rental cars I knew their companies closed around 11pm we've never been able to use allegiant ( 1 flight a day). So we have drive 1 to 2 hours to the next closest airport ( Dulles or Reagan). A cab ride would not be cheap. Maybe a car service would be your best bet. Or stay a local hotel for the night, but that's a costly option too. Good luck.

 

[DebbieB]

We are flying in at 1035 pm and the Alamo website states they close at 11pm. So I am nervous. I too called and they stated they will wait. Al I need to do is put my flight information in. They worker claims they check this and are prepared for late arrivals. Here hoping

I'm sure they will wait, they will not want to lose the business. I remember one time I was traveling for work and my flight was delayed. It was a small airport and Avis was waiting for us (myself and some other passengers).

 

[Yellowjj]

Who did you book the car with and did the website allow it to go through? Did you specify your arrival time exactly?

Make sure in your rental you put the airline and flight number in the reservation. Most times the rental company will stay open until you arrive.