Flying or Driving

[DeeCeeSW]

Thanks for the info., Cindy. I had no idea this airline existed. Unfortunately, there are no flights for my dates, but it's sure good to know that a flight can be had so inexpensively!

 

[paulinewdw]

We have been driving down from Boston for the past nine years!
We currently have a conversion van which has made the trip at least 7 times. We have three boys ages 13, 9, and 7. We split the trip up into three legs. Boston to NC. NC to Georgia. Georgia
to Orlando. The kids watch movies and play video games. I drive and DH brings along his laptop. We have some of our best conversations during these trips. This year, we are considering flying, since DH read somewhere that gas was going up to $3.00 a gallon. I would still rather drive. I arrive in the World much more relaxed and happier!

 

[sprtnfan]

Here's my thoughts on this. We flew down to Orlando from Boston on 2/21. Planned on spending 5 nights at Disney and then rent a van and drive to South Beach for my friend's wedding. My 3 DD's (3, 20mos, 2mos) were great on the plane down. We had a dirent flight on JetBlue. We missed our 7:00am flight out of Fort Lauderdale on 2/29 though (thanks to my "too good of a time" at the wedding). In any case, we were told we could go stand-by for the 4:00pm flight that day, but every flight was booked through the week. So, after much debate and thoughts of sitting in an airport with 3 kids and no food (and being hungover), we decided to rent a van and drive home. We learned that this was the way to go for us from now on.

What I liked about the ride, it's an adventure! We stopped many times throughout the ride and just had fun. The kids played in all the McDolnald's playlands, ran around open fields, etc, etc. We tried to wear them out, so they would sleep while we drove. We had very few fights and meltdowns and I was much less stressed. Don't get me wrong, I wish we could fly, but with the kids I find it very stressful right now.

As a side note, gas prices were a steady $1.69 until we hit the NYC area. We also got our Holiday Inn online and only paid $50 for it, but you could also check Priceline. It took us about 26 hours with the breaks to get home from Miami. Enjoy whatever you do!

 

[daystar]

Hi,
I thank you all for your information, it's helping me alot to think if i should fly if it's cheaper than driving that's a good thing and you get there alot sooner....The gas prices have gone up and we have a new car and my DH is worried about miles on the truck....
Any ways where is everyone finding these cheap flights i live in the Buffalo, New York area.....I have looked on expedia but seem to find expensive prices....Has anyone booked through them????Do you book a package or just the flight???How does it work???I just don't want to get stiffed using a internet service...I'm new to this and just wondering the best way to go about this....
Thanks Again

 

[beglluvr]

daystar:

I booked my fight through expedia.ca and got airfare for 3 from Buffalo, NY for about $450 US (including taxes and fees)... and then a few weeks later, I got airfare for my mom & her DBF to join us and she paid about $375 US for 2. I think I was checking the site at least once, but usually twice a day. I've read on these boards before that on a certain day of the week, the fares tend to drop, but I never quite figured out when... I just persisted (bordering on obsessed) and when I saw that low fare, I jumped on it.

My suggestion is to check often... sometimes the flights and fares seemed to change from morning to afternoon to evening. If you have the time and patience, just keep checking the sites and when you find something that fits your budget, grab it.

Hope you find a great fare and have a magical trip!