Did some number crunching last night....

[mousy_in_canada]

AND it looks like Southwest deals are cheaper then driving.. I factored meals for 5 of us, one night accommodation each way and the gas and got $700.00... and to fly is between $470-$600.. am I missing something.. why is it cheaper to fly? I assumed that the rates for SW would be 47-55 p/p each way and then the rental car at $150.. but it still seems silly to have to pay more $$ to drive... I MUST be missing something we can go 500km on a 100L tank, so I said about 4 tanks down.. at $50usd a tank=$400 r/t food I thought was about $100 and 2 nights hotel at 79 each....

I am driving from Hamilton Ontario (south of Toronto) and we have a 1994 Astro van.

 

[zurgswife]

You just got very very lucky....I usually factor in the time saver because flying is usually about $200 more....but I'll spend $200 to save about 30hrs driving...


I say book now before the rates change....

 

[mousy_in_canada]

I can't book.. my dates are not out yet.. that is the kicker but those prices are the trends of SW from Buffalo.. I think the break even point is $69.00 each way

 

[TimeforMe]

I wouldn't factor in food as an added expense as you will have to eat whether you fly or drive. Those fares sound great if you could get them.

 

[clkelley]

Well, it depends if you need to factor in food and lodging.

If you fly, are you extending your vacation to leave home and arrive home at the same time. Or are you just leaving off the driving time and keeping your time in Orlando the same??

For example

Driving Down
Leave Saturday morning Drive all day, spend night on road, arrive in Orlando on Sunday??

Flying
Fly out Saturday morning, arrive in Orlando, still need Saturday night hotel and food for Saturday
OR
Fly out Sunday afternoon and arrive in Orlando at same time if driving.

Going Home

Start driving home Saturday morning, spend night on the road, arrive home Sunday evening.

Flying
Fly home Sunday afternoon, still need hotel and food for Saturday and Sunday
OR
Fly home Saturday morning

If flying is only shortening your travel time, and not extending your vacation time, then you are saving money. However, if flying extends your vacation time, then you may not be saving money, but only adding to your relaxation and saving wear and tear on your vehicle.

Carol

 

[manning]

Are taxes and service charges included in the fare price.

I have seen price quotes and in small print states passenger taxes extra.

 

[CarolA]

I missing something.. why is it cheaper to fly?

You know the airline bankruptcies you keep reading about? You have just hit the nail on the head. From a real cost rate, it is not cheaper to fly. However, the airlines are willing to give you a deal to at least cover thier fixed costs

I am with Zurgswife. Sanity and exhaustion are worth some money LOL!

 

[marymrg]

What time of the year are you going?

What kind of transportation will you have when you get there?

What about the cost of leaving your car at the airport or are you staying one night at a hotel and leaving the car there?



Last year my dh and son drove, 3 of us flew and we still saved money even figuring their hotel night. (Van rental at Easter was astronomical) Of course, it was their decision to drive even when I found cheap flights for the rest of us. (it was a great bonding experience, or so I am told!) They said they would drive again in the future. I would rather do anything to avoid it. LOL.