Flying during spring break

[Julie2017]

We will be flying out on Sunday 3/19. I'm trying to decide between Tampa or Orlando airports. Both have direct non stop flights 10 AM and 6:55 AM respectively. My kids are older so we can be at the airport by 4 Am if we need to in Orlando. It is about $25 more to fly later out of Tampa. I'm concerned about wait times mainly getting through security. Any suggestions? We will have our on transportation as we are renting a car. (Going to Universal first... then to Disney...it was pretty much the same to rent the car for the full time rather than just while we were at Universal).

 

[nacho113]

We will be flying out on Sunday 3/19. I'm trying to decide between Tampa or Orlando airports. Both have direct non stop flights 10 AM and 6:55 AM respectively. My kids are older so we can be at the airport by 4 Am if we need to in Orlando. It is about $25 more to fly later out of Tampa. I'm concerned about wait times mainly getting through security. Any suggestions? We will have our on transportation as we are renting a car. (Going to Universal first... then to Disney...it was pretty much the same to rent the car for the full time rather than just while we were at Universal).

TPA is a much smaller and quieter airport than MCO.
During spring break this will be even more evident as Orlando is the "go to" destination and will be busier than usual.
TPA is approx a 90 minute drive from Universal Studios, need to factor this into the equation.
Car rentals tend to be higher at TPA than MCO, partially due to the smaller size of the airport and rental fleet and partly because TPA charges a higher per day facility fee than MCO ($5.95/day at TPA vs $2.50/day at MCO which can add up quickly on a 7,10,14 day rental)

 

[Julie2017]

Thanks. We would just be returning the car to TPA. We already have our flights with points out there.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm trying to decide between Tampa or Orlando airports.

We would just be returning the car to TPA. We already have our flights with points out there.

I'm confused. Are you just trying to figure out what airport to use when leaving Florida? Yes, I would probably also use TPA. Just don't forget to take into account the drive time to get there.

 

[Julie2017]

Yep we are flying into MCO and then back out of TPA. Just went ahead and booked them...Florida here we come! Thanks!