driving from wdw to atlanta airport. Help please.

[poggs]

I have managed to get reward flights home to the UK from atlanta airport (never anything from orlando or miami of course)

Looking at getting to atlanta now!

Seems that southwest want $240 a seat and delta $150. As there are 4 of us, that makes it an expensive flight so going to drive.

Seems that google maps says it only takes 6 1/2 hours. (hmm......)

So, what do the experts think?

My flight is on a Saturday evening in july at 9.15 from the international terminal. What time should I set out from old key west, baring in mind I need to return the car to the atlanta rental centre and then get a train to the int terminal to check in for no later than 7.30pm? I'll have 2 kids 13 & 7 along with DW. Its likely that we will stop for breakfast and a late lunch somewhere along with a couple of toilet stops.

Also, is the beat way just up the western way/turnpike/i75?

Are there plenty of easy rest areas with fuel and toilets on the interstate to use? or do I have to leave the interstate and go into towns etc. again any suggestions for good family places to stop?

thanks

 

[loves to dive]

I drive down from Georgia, about 45 min. above Atlanta every time I come. Keeping in mind I don't hit 75 until below Atlanta, it takes me anywhere from 6 1/2 to 7 hours to drive down. A lot depends on traffic, road work and stops for gas, potty and food. According to what time you hit Atlanta it can take you up to a hour to get to the airport, just luck of the draw and if anything is going on in town that night. The airport is almost smack dab in the middle of the city. You have to be at the international terminal at least a hour before check in, allowing at least 30 min. to return car (I've never rented from there so I'm not sure where the car rental return is) you are either going to have to take a bus or the "plane train" to your terminal. Check in your luggage.

There are plenty of places to stop to eat along 75, right at the exit no need to do anything but get off the exit and right back on. There are also plenty of rest stops and gas stations, again right on the exits. I do the western way/turnpike/75 route. I would think if you leave by 9 or 10 am, you should get there in plenty of time, that gives you 9 or 10 hours to get there.

 

[grimley1968]

I have managed to get reward flights home to the UK from atlanta airport (never anything from orlando or miami of course)

Looking at getting to atlanta now!

Seems that southwest want $240 a seat and delta $150. As there are 4 of us, that makes it an expensive flight so going to drive.

Seems that google maps says it only takes 6 1/2 hours. (hmm......)

So, what do the experts think?

My flight is on a Saturday evening in july at 9.15 from the international terminal. What time should I set out from old key west, baring in mind I need to return the car to the atlanta rental centre and then get a train to the int terminal to check in for no later than 7.30pm? I'll have 2 kids 13 & 7 along with DW. Its likely that we will stop for breakfast and a late lunch somewhere along with a couple of toilet stops.

Also, is the beat way just up the western way/turnpike/i75?

Are there plenty of easy rest areas with fuel and toilets on the interstate to use? or do I have to leave the interstate and go into towns etc. again any suggestions for good family places to stop?

thanks

First of all, I would keep trying to find airfare from MCO to ATL. Something cheaper could still come up.

If you do have to rent a car, though:

- Google maps shows me 6 hours 11 minutes from OKW to the Atlanta airport. How early you need to leave OKW you can figure out as far as how early you need to be at the gate, etc., but I would add that it'll probably take you about 30-45 minutes to get from dropping your car off to the TSA line (as the PP said). I've not flown out of Atlanta since before TSA's existence so I don't know how bad their TSA lines are.
- I would make sure you don't need to stop for a couple of hours when you first start on the drive. Western Way and the Turnpike are great roads, but not that great for finding much to eat easily. Once you get on I-75, though, there are plenty of exits with gas, food, etc. I would also try not to have any stops in the last half hour or so of the drive. By that time you are in the metro area, and quick and easy stops are harder to come by.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I drive down from Georgia, about 45 min. above Atlanta every time I come. Keeping in mind I don't hit 75 until below Atlanta, it takes me anywhere from 6 1/2 to 7 hours to drive down. A lot depends on traffic, road work and stops for gas, potty and food. According to what time you hit Atlanta it can take you up to a hour to get to the airport, just luck of the draw and if anything is going on in town that night. The airport is almost smack dab in the middle of the city. You have to be at the international terminal at least a hour before check in, allowing at least 30 min. to return car (I've never rented from there so I'm not sure where the car rental return is) you are either going to have to take a bus or the "plane train" to your terminal. Check in your luggage.

There are plenty of places to stop to eat along 75, right at the exit no need to do anything but get off the exit and right back on. There are also plenty of rest stops and gas stations, again right on the exits. I do the western way/turnpike/75 route. I would think if you leave by 9 or 10 am, you should get there in plenty of time, that gives you 9 or 10 hours to get there.

HUH? The airport is no way "smack dab in the middle of the city" it's on the southside well before "middle" of the city

Car rentals are at a location fairly close to the aiport, you drop your can and take a "train" type shuttle back to the airport, runs every 5 minutes are so and is very fast.

Now, WHO are you flying? Because this is where it gets bad. If you are flying Delta you can just get off your shuttle from the rental car, walk into the airport, check luggage and go though security, but... if you are on an international carrier (British Air for example) then you have to board the world's worst shuttle and go on a cross country expedition to the international terminal. Allow an extra half hour for this adventure!

 

[poggs]

Thanks. I am flying Virgin atlantic to london from the int terminal.

I have the car for a couple of weeks and would have been returning at MCO, but will just return at atlanta instead. There does seem to be a $90 one way fee for this plus $40 for gas, but thats cheaper than the $600 delta flights.

So I'm thinking to leave OKW at 9am. Drive to Atlanta and get at the rental car centre at 6pm, allowing for traffic and stops. THen a hour to get from car centre to international terminal and check at 7pm for the 915pm flight.

seems reasonable?

Where is a good place to plan to stop for lunch on the i75?

 

[LadyBeBop]

For international flights, shouldn't you get to the airport three hours before your flight?
Fortunately, the airport is south of Atlanta, so you don't have to deal with Downtown Atlanta traffic. I would still allow some sort of buffer, just in case. 9 AM is probably doable, but you want to get to the check-in no later than 6:15.
I'd probably leave OKW about 8 AM. Drive up to Valdosta, GA which is about 3 1/2 hours north. Eat a late breakfast/early lunch and gas-up. Leave Valdosta about noon. The airport is another 3 1/2 hours. Arrive there at 3:30, drop off car and be inside terminal by 4:30. That's allowing a two hour buffer just in case (traffic, etc). I'd eat my late lunch inside the terminal. There are numerous places to eat at the airport.

 

[Yellowjj]

Book the car to reserve it but keep checking. July is a far time off and Southwest usually has MCO->ATL for $39-49 one way.

According to what time you hit Atlanta it can take you up to a hour to get to the airport, just luck of the draw and if anything is going on in town that night. The airport is almost smack dab in the middle of the city.

You do realize he's approaching Atlanta airport from the best direction possible since it's located south of the city. Zero problems with traffic.

 

[poggs]

Thanks everyone. Southwest hasn't actually released flights for july yet, I was just going by their april prices of $249 as a guide. Delta has seats at $125 plus bags. If they come down to $49!! then I'd be all over that rather than driving.

In any-case, thanks everyone.

 

[bookgirl]

After a recent trip to Atlanta where I took my brother to the airport, I can only say plan extra time. It's a confusing airport with not very clear signage. And yes the WORST traffic I've ever driven in (including California, Houston/Dallas, and the eastern corridor). I've already told my brother I will be skipping the Atlanta tournaments next year HAHAHA.