Cheaper to Fly or Drive

[craz4dogs]

Hi everyone. I am new here and this has likely been asked before but is it cheaper to fly or drive from Toronto area. This planning seems so overwhelming but I figured this is my first start. We plan to stay on the resort for about 1 week.
If we stay on the resort would we really need to rent a car?
My father has place in FL that we will want to visit one day. Is it possible to just rent a car for a day or two?
I have read something about Buffalo and we are not against driving there to get cheaper flights.

Thanks everyone. The drive does not scare us at all. BUt if there is not much difference in how much it would be to fly, we would rather have the extra time there and fly.

 

[minniemomof3]

We used to drive until we discovered how inexpensively you can fly out of Buffalo.

You can get great deals with Southwest, Jet Blue and AirTran. Southwest and Airtran both offer direct flights to Orlando.

We are leaving for Orlando on Sunday, flying down with Jet Blue and coming back with Southwest. We paid $59 U.S. each way.

When driving you have to factor in the cost for overnight accomodations if you are not driving straight through, extra meals along the way and gas, not to mention all the time you lose getting there. In my opinion, its cheaper and easier to fly out of Buffalo.

 

[ont/ohana]

We flew from Buffalo in Decmeber for $521usd for 4 of us and are going in March for around the same on Southwest. IMO you can't drive for much cheaper by the time tou factor in meals, gas and possible hotel if you don't rive straight ( plus you are there in less than 3 hours flying time )

We haven't rented a car for 3 trips now, we just didn't use it. We will however rent one for our September trip for a day or 2 ( bringing relatives with us this trip ). You can get the rental from the Hotels across from downtown disney or there is an Alamo car rental at the car care center by the swan. The Alamo at the car care center will pick up and deliver you back to the resort if staying on property I think.

Have a great trip

 

[Reese]

We had planned on driving until I found these boards and discovered the Buffalo airport. With five kids last trip and renting a vehicle for the weekend it was still cheaper than driving down, when you take into account the meals and lodging also the extra two days off work for travel. Also it is so nice to be there in a couple hours and also the ME is wonderful. It saves you from worrying about how to get to and from the airport.

 

[Questforthemouse]

Welcome to the DISboards. We only joined this past year and have found everyone to be friendly and super helpful. Ask as many questions as you need to.

Flying...I've done a pile of research over the past year. SW out of Buffalo will beat AC out of Pearson significantly at every time of the year other than Christmas season and US Thanksgiving (and even then it still beats flying out of TO but not by as much). You'll find SW prices for @$60US per person each way (plus about 13% taxes) throughout the year (if you book as each booking window opens up) where as AC will be @$525CDN per person round trip and only if you book 10 -11 months in advance. AC will go up about $75-$125 each month you get closer to your flight date. Remember if you are comparing flight costs to include car parking fees at Pearson, Buffalo Airport or local Buffalo car park. You can also choose to stay at a Buffalo airport area hotel the night before or after your trip and leave your car there for the period (usually up to 14 days) you are on vacation. This is really helpful if you have an early morning flight.

Car Rental...IMHO the WDW transportation is excellent and if you don't have a specific need for a car while at WDW or are trying to keep costs down I wouldn't rent a car. Don't forget you can also book the Disney Magical Express from and to the Orlando airport and it is free. You can rent cars for a day or two (or longer) on WDW property quite easliy. Alamo (at the Swan and Dolphins Hotels or at the AAA Car Care Centre) will pick you up and drop you off. The Dollar Car rental agency at the Grovesner Resort (across from Downtown Disney) is usually the cheapest price and they will also pick you up at your resort and drop you off at your resort or a park.

Hope this is helpful. Remember, ask away if you have other questions.

 

[madonna31]

We've flown out of Toronto, Buffalo and have drove many times and we choose to drive.

Not only is it cheaper, it extends our vacation by a couple of days and we have a blast with the car ride down. Last but not least; as much as Disney offers you complimentary transportation to and from the airport plus throughout the 47 square mile resort complex, we still LOVE having our own vehicle. Especially when we are dining at resorts other than the one we are staying at.

 

[A&CsMom]

We drive because DH hates to fly, and we enjoy the drive, but if DH didn't hate to fly, or if it were just me and the kids, we would fly from Buffalo. I guess the more people in your group, the more it makes sense to drive. If it's just two people, I think flying would make sense, probably the same with 3, but once you get to 4 people or more, it starts to shift to driving being cheaper, especially if you are driving straight through (no accommodation costs).

 

[craz4dogs]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

So what I am getting is it would be about a total of 500for us to fly from Buffalo to Orlando and then return home. There is myself, hubby, daughter ( who will be 7 years) and son (will be 5 years). Then the car rental for a few days so another 100? The total to fly considering all the variables would be about 600-650Us????
I am thinking to drive it would be about 600 to drive right?
We would not be able to drive straight I do not think? We would leave at about 5am on the 1st of December and likely would stop around 7 or 8 at night. Then we would arrive in Oralndo on the 2nd at about 5-6pm if we left at 5am or so again right? Then the same on the way home but maybe leaving disney at a more reasonable hour the last day (ie 10am). We would have another hotel stay. I am thinking two nights of hotels and 4 lunches, and 4 dinners (we can pack breakfast foods and just get coffee) plus the gas (maybe 250 worth??) would equal 600 too........
So in the long run might as well save the 4 days of driving and take the plane. Am I missing something?
Can someone break it down to me exactly on if I am .

Thanks. I just want to plan this just right and make sure I am doing it the cheapest way possible in order to be able to stay at Wilderness or the animal one.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

We choose to drive. I enjoy the mountains and we also take extra days and head to both coasts for a day or 2 each to relax on the beach. It is also better but mot expensive as you can buy more and bring it home with you lol Something you cant do on a plane lol. We have a Astro van and it will cost us around 350 dollars in gas plus hotels. I dont count food as you have to eat anyway and food is cheaper on the road in the USA than to cook at home here in Canada. On our way down we will stop in Daytona for the day maybe take in Daytona usa. Then sea world the day before arriving at disney. We also prefer to drive to the parks from POP our hotel this time. As it is alot shorter time wise and the parking is free for those staying onsite. We also plan on taking a afternoon or evening and heading off property to Old Town on 192. Lots of neat shops. When we leave after 10 nights were heading to St petersberg. for a couple of nights. Which ever you decide just enjoy your trip.

 

[SaraMc]

We find it cheaper to fly out of Buffalo. We are flying the two of us for less than 300 US. While we have a really reliable car I couldnt even think of being in the car for 24 hours in one trip. We dont really leave WDW property while we are there so we use Magical Express and dont worry at all about driving. We take a vacation from that too.

 

[laura001]

My DH and I are flying in April...at $59.00 each one way. Just can't beat the price, that is for sure. We have driven a few times, but to be in Orlando in 3 hours vs. 2 days........no brainer for me.

 

[Questforthemouse]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

So what I am getting is it would be about a total of 500for us to fly from Buffalo to Orlando and then return home. There is myself, hubby, daughter ( who will be 7 years) and son (will be 5 years). Then the car rental for a few days so another 100? The total to fly considering all the variables would be about 600-650Us????
I am thinking to drive it would be about 600 to drive right?
We would not be able to drive straight I do not think? We would leave at about 5am on the 1st of December and likely would stop around 7 or 8 at night. Then we would arrive in Oralndo on the 2nd at about 5-6pm if we left at 5am or so again right? Then the same on the way home but maybe leaving disney at a more reasonable hour the last day (ie 10am). We would have another hotel stay. I am thinking two nights of hotels and 4 lunches, and 4 dinners (we can pack breakfast foods and just get coffee) plus the gas (maybe 250 worth??) would equal 600 too........
So in the long run might as well save the 4 days of driving and take the plane. Am I missing something?
Can someone break it down to me exactly on if I am .

Thanks. I just want to plan this just right and make sure I am doing it the cheapest way possible in order to be able to stay at Wilderness or the animal one.

Hi again craz4dogs,

You are absolutely right to be working out your own numbers and to break down all of the costs to get a true picture. What's cheaper for some is more expensive for others.

When I drive, here are the costs I consider...

1) Gas (you may have a gas miser or a gas guzzler)
2) Accomodations (you can stay in $65 motels or $110 hotels while travelling; you can drive straight thru or stay one or two nights each way)
3) Food (you can eat the free breakfast at the hotel then fast food the rest of the way or go out for breakfast, have a fastfood lunch then stop for a nice dinner)
4) Car costs (your driving 4200+kms...some will count an oil change, some will have a tune-up done before leaving, some count mileage/wear and tear costs)

As you can see, depending on your choices and the vehicle you own, the cost of driving can be fairly inexpensive or fairly expensive. Depends on the family.

When I fly, here are the costs I consider...

1) Gas to and from airport
2) Tolls at boarder and on highways
3) Parking if not staying at a park/stay/fly hotel
4) Hotel if staying at a park/stay/fly hotel
5) Airfare
6) Transportation from and to Orlando airport
7) Car rental if needed

A couple of other notes...if driving you'll find that many of the hotels offer a continental breakfast included in the cost of the night's stay. Also, I notice you're planning an early December stay at WDW. You likely know this already but just incase...that is still the value season at WDW (lowest rates) and Wilderness Lodge is very popular over the Christmas season so you might want to book your room now (if you haven't already) just to make sure you've got it. WDW has been getting busier and busier during early December. Enjoy your planning

 

[F4disneyfan]

We drive it is by far the cheapest way to go for our family of 5 even with cheap flights out of Buffalo we can drive for about a 3rd the cost. This past Dec it was about 200 roughly for gas to drive to Florida and home and all over teh state as we went out to the coast for the cruise etc to fly was going to be about 900 bucks so that sealed the deal for us.

 

[pollioni]

Just got back and we drove, it took us 2 days and the cost were approx as follows.

Gas $120
Hotel $80 (times 2)
Meals $15 (times 5 as we packed our lunch for the first day)
Total - $355 - $414 Cdn

Divided by 4 person - $88.75 - $103.50 Cdn

Time spent with family and kids seeing mountains and going thru tunnels and learning actually how big this continent we live on is, priceless.

I love driving and I also love flying. Both have there good and bad points. This is a debate that will go on forever.

To put it simply, if you have the time...... Drive
if you have the money......... Fly.

 

[craz4dogs]

Does anyone know how much it would cost roughly to rent a car (with booster seats???) for two-three days in FL? This will help me sort this out. Thanks again. Everyone is so helpful and I am so glad i found this place.

 

[Rubbertops]

We were just at the Wilderness Lodge in December. We rented a car from the Car Care Centre which was very easy. With coupons and Amex discounts (from mousesavers) we got a full size car for 5 days for $136 US. Booster seats were an extra $10 a day, so we just took our own down (We flew out of Buffalo).

 

[pollioni]

The cost of a car would be in the range of a couple of hundred and the child seat is around 50-60.

I drove with a 3 & 8 yr old (with ADHD) and he managed fine. We did have a DVD player in the Car.

Hope this helps.