Flying in to Tampa instead of Orlando?

[janica]

We're considering flying into Tampa instead of Orlando because the airfare
is $100 less each person. (We have 4 people.)
How is the drive from Tampa to Orlando? It looks like it would only
take 1-1/2 hours or so on an interstate. Are there any pitfalls to this
idea we need to be aware of?

 

[kennancat]

The only thing I would caution you on is not to travel I-4 during the typical rush hours - it can get pretty messy. Also, you may want to check out some of the Florida DOT's web sites to see if that part is still under construction. I know it's been torn up in places for a while now.

ETA: $100 a person would be on the fence for me, but I tend to value my time pretty highly. More than $100, I'd probably go for it, but it's up to you.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

do it! We flew home in May from Tampa. It was an easy ride. All freeway and not bad traffic. Some construction but nothing major. We were staying in Kissimmee on Rt. 192 not far from Rt. 27 so it was only about 1 hr drive. it's 1/2 hr to MCO so what's 1/2 hr. more? Print directions from Mapquest before you leave for both ways so you'll know exactly what to do. Have a great trip!
The $400 you save could add 2-3 more days at your hotel!
I-4 is only bad around WDW. Further south it was fine. I guess it depends on where you're staying.

 

[Robert P]

Your time estimate is probably right. Avoid driving during either of the rush hours, and you should be fine. Just over 70 miles from Tampa airport to WDW exits.
I-4 stays constantly under construction it seems, but most of the ride is not too bad. Slowdowns increase as you get closer to WDW.

 

[txaggiemomof3]

We are doing this in September. I was able to get $88 RT tickets for my family of 5 about a month ago. We were looking at $300 RT tickets prior to that and were at the point of considering driving to WDW from Texas - not something I was looking forward to! My travel agent has done the drive before and said it's not bad at all. We will just rent a car on the days we are going to and from the airport and use the Disney Car Care Center for dropping off/getting our rental car when we are at WDW. Just remember to calculate in the cost of renting a car to your savings. For us it was still worth it.

 

[paults]

The $400 you save could add 2-3 more days at your hotel!

if they have to rent a car big enough for 4 people and bags plus gas and depending how long they keep car ,that $400 saved will drop some.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

if they have to rent a car big enough for 4 people and bags plus gas and depending how long they keep car ,that $400 saved will drop some.

Yes you're right, but there's 4 of us too and we easily fit into a midsize or even a convertible. Our midsize for 6 nights is $125 incl. tax thru Budget which is right in the terminal. Even if you allow $30 in gas, (there's no tolls) you would still save $245.
Last May we had a convertible so even the ride to Tampa was heavenly. Just put the top down, the radio up and enjoy the last view of palm trees for a while. It really isn't the chore people might think it is.

 

[johde]

I am also flying into Tampa for the first time. I'm saving about $50 on the flight but I've been wanting to visit Busch Gardens so this gives me an excuse to do that. I may also visit the beach. I'm flying in on a Saturday and spending the night in Tampa before going checking into OKW on Sunday.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

We live in Orlando and it is not unusual for us to fly in and out of Tampa when the fares are much lower or when using frequent flyer tickets and there is no free seat availability from Orlando since we're such a popular family destination. I think your drive time is a bit more than 1 hour but it's still not bad at all.

Construction continues on I-4 near the junction of I-275 but everything is open now in the Lakeland area and you have at least 3-lanes in each direction all the way to WDW.

If you're saving $400 on airfares, there is no question you've made the right decision. Sure the rental car eats up some of the savings, but you're getting something for that money...a car....which can prove very useful for other journeys around Orlando.

BobK/Orlando

 

[disneyldwjr]

Yes you're right, but there's 4 of us too and we easily fit into a midsize or even a convertible. Our midsize for 6 nights is $125 incl. tax thru Budget which is right in the terminal. Even if you allow $30 in gas, (there's no tolls) you would still save $245.
Last May we had a convertible so even the ride to Tampa was heavenly. Just put the top down, the radio up and enjoy the last view of palm trees for a while. It really isn't the chore people might think it is.

Try National with their online coupon. Mine was 98. and change total for a midsize.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

I posted this same questions for this past April. It was a big price difference and there are 6 of us. The ride was about 75 - 90 minutes and was not bad at all. I was told that there may be alot of traffic due to construction, but it was only very minor in one area. My first choice would always be to fly into Orlando, but if flights were expensive and we could save alot to fly into Tampa, it is definitely worth it.

 

[Bird-Mom]

We are doing this too. We are also leaving from an airport 2.5 hours from home because we will save about $500 doing it that way. We are spending one night after our trip at the airport on reward points, and parking at the farther airport will be half of what we would pay at home. And then tax free shopping before the drive home!

We always rent a car anyways, so that didn't factor into our decision although the rental car was a little more in TPA vs MCO. Oh well, it is worth the $500 savings!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Try National with their online coupon. Mine was 98. and change total for a midsize.

Which coupon did you use? I tried the $20 off coupon but it still ended up being $221.62 with taxes. Our dates are Sept 28 6pm-Oct 4 noon. Thanks!!

 

[NJDad18]

We're flying into TPA this Friday and then driving to BWV. I'll let you know what the trip was like. We saved about $70 per ticket and since we need 4 tickets, it's worth it.

 

[hercamore]

Also flying into TPA next week and out of MCO the following week.

First time into TPA. See how it goes.


herc.

 

[safetymom]

I drove to Tampa this weekend. Traffic was not bad and no construction until you got closer to WDW.

 

[ro80]

I had the same issue with my husband. He went to Tampa for a few days with a couple of his friends and I couldn't fly them out of Tampa cheap. So they flew out of Orlando. He said the trip to Orlando was a piece of cake and would have no problem doing it again. Hey, $400 is alot of moola, to me anyway....

 

[jeff968]

I booked my flights into Tampa a month ago from NYC for next February. This is an easy drive. I did it once before. And I'm saving $600. I've done Jacksonville as well and that one isn't bad either but it is 2 and a half hours to Orlando.