Flying out of Harrisburg or BWI

[dtuleya]

We're going to Disney for the first time November 22-29 (Friday before to Friday after Thanksgiving). I'm looking for any locals (South Central PA area) to give me advice on fare prices. Currently we have refundable bulk air for $250/pp from BWI to Orlando. I'll hold onto those for awhile. I know Southwest doesn't fly out of Harrisburg, but when will their rates come out for BWI? I can buy non-refundables from Harrisburg for $208/pp. If we fly out of Harrisburg, that will save us $130 since we won't have to stay overnight. We never fly, so I don't know what a "good rate" would be from either of these airports.

Can somebody help me?

 

[RobinLyn]

I can tell you that $250 pp is a decent/good rate on a round trip from either airport to Orlando. You may get a lower rate if you were to wait and see how the airlines are doing later on into the year, but my guess would be that air travel will surly pick up this summer if there are no more accidents. Rates sometimes increase higher in the summer when vacations begin, but also specials can be had. You just have to be willing to travel on ANY airline to receive them. Unforunately my husband and myself are not, we stay with the major ones in our area, which are USAirways, Delta, United, etc. Airfares have been much lower since 9/11, but I did notice an increase lately and that's a sign that more people are traveling by air than back in October. My husband flies weekly (business) and I make his flight arrangements on line most of the time. He has flown often out of BWI (about an hour and 45 minutes from our home) because the rates are much lower than Philadelphia International which is about 35 minutes from here (south NJ). BWI is a very nice airport and I would not hesitate to fly with my children from there. But if it's a matter of a few dollars, I would fly from the airport closest to home. If you do make on line reservations, be aware that rates can be cheaper on line, but are not refundable sometimes because they are less than what would be quoted over the phone. And this rate of $250 pp is over the Thanksgiving holiday? I would keep it, that is a great rate for a holiday week!! Have a great time!

RobinLyn

 

[Ahrizel]

We're from the Northest Pa area. We've flew from Allentown the last 2 times. They used to have a nonstop, but it was cut after September. I've priced from Philly and Allentown for June-between $160-190 roundtrip. BWI has Southwest, which can have smokin' deals. Airtran from Philly also runs some excellent specials. Allentown is a smallish airport and easy to get to and get around in. Philly, is well, Philly. We're probably flying from Philly or BWI next time, combination of prices and nonstop flights. You may want to consider the nonstop factor, almost all flights from Harrisburg to Orlando is probably a connecting. Also depends on the driving distance from the airports for you.

 

[dtuleya]

We actually live in York, so we're between Harrisburg and BWI. I've been checking flights daily, and neither place is showing any direct flights. If we have to connect, we'd like to connect in Charlotte since it's not too hard to get around there (vs. Atlanta). I'm finding fares for $208/pp, but they are non-refundable and I think I'll just wait until Southwest's prices come out in May (?). I've been told the flights from Philly (about 2 hours away) are usually more expensive than BWI. Since we're going the week of Thanksgiving, I'm not sure how much of a "deal" I can get.????

Thanks for all the info!

 

[Herbie]

Hello! We actually live 5 min from Harrisburg intl. We like to fly from there if possible. We are flying to orlando in early feb. This time we are flying from Philly. We got tickets on USAIR for $110 plus tax! In this case, it pays to drive to phiilly. Definately try USAIR online. If you can be a little flexable with the dates, you can geta good deal. As for BWI, I would rather go the BWI than Philly, BUT USAIR does not have metro-jet anymore, so the flights and rates are better from philly.

 

[RobinLyn]

Hi Herbie, I was wondering when did you book your trip with USAirways out of Philly? My husband flies USAir on a weekly basis and the rates started to go back up in the month of December. They were lower after 9/11 and started to rise again late November. $110 is an excellent rate for USAir to Orlando. But right now, the low $200's in the lowest I can find on their web site, even over a weekend stay. And these rates are not refundable.

RobinLyn

 

[dtuleya]

I guess I'll wait for SW to come out with fares. If we were flying now, it's $49 one way from BWI to MCO. Oh well! Can only cross my fingers. (XXXXX) Just glad to be going! Guess I'll keep my refundables for now! Thanks for all the help! Just wish I could find a non-stop!!!!!

 

[RobinLyn]

Don't give up Denise, airfare rates change all the time. But you are smart to reserve only refundable airfares this far out. You never know what might change 9 months from now. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Good Luck and enjoy your trip!!

RobinLyn

 

[Herbie]

RobinLyn,

We just booked the air about two weeks ago. We did it online. When you do it, put in that your dates are flexable. It will then tell you the lowest prices, if you travel by a certain date. It worked great for us!

 

[dtuleya]

Herbie,

What site is the best for booking online without going directly through a certain carrier?

 

[RobinLyn]

"Thank You" Herbie, your a sweetie!! I will try it right now, never used the flexable choice because I didn't think it would make a difference. It goes to show, you can learn something new everyday....

RobinLyn

 

[spruce]

We live in Harrisburg and have never flown out of MDT because of cost and the only non-stop flight to Orlando seems to be on Saturdays. In Dec, we flew philly to MCO for $110rt. Last Feb, we flew BWI to MCO for $136. Other BWI flights have been, $122, $138 and $158. We have used SWA, Airtran and USAir. SWA recently had an internet special out of BWI for $41 each way. (best price I've ever seen outside of priceline)
I forget the price of parking at PHI but at BWI it's $7 per day in the blue or green lots. Stays longer then 7 days had a free nights parking.
The last time we flew out of BWI we pricelined an airport hotel ($45-Holiday Inn) for the night before our flight. Airport hotels provide an airport shuttle service and you can keep your car in their lot for free up to two weeks. From York, you're only an hour out (we're 90 mins), I'd drive and park unless you have an early flight then, I'd get a room since they want you to show up 2 hours early at the gate.
I think BWI is your best option because their fares are alway cheaper then MDT and have many more direct flights. I'd hold off on buying a ticket because you'll be able to save at least $50 per ticket once the discounted fares are offered....spruce

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks for the info! I can't find ANY non-stops from BWI, Harrisburg or Philly. We are flying on a Friday so I don't understand why there aren't any. Hopefully Southwest will have some available later. Since we are going over Thanksgiving, when does Southwest post their flights?????

 

[spruce]

I don't know when the rates come out, I just check often and listen to the news for airfare wars. It surprises me that you are not finding direct flights. Have you checked expedia or travelocity? There's an option for direct only searches or they can show you all flights. Searching at these sites will give a wide range of fares. Sometimes you have to book fast or check back in a few minutes because someone else is holding the last few of that fare while they decide then kick it back into the system. Remember though, an internet special at the airlines website will many times beat the prices you see on these other flight. It's just that the other sites will give you more airline choices. There's also priceline but your departure times can really be lousy losing time by booking late the day you go and early the day you leave. I have added days to avoid this but then I'm adding the cost of a cheap offsite hotel then so the savings has to be really good...spruce

 

[SNOWBOARDER]

Any fare out of BWI, to MCO, over $200.00 seems high. The most we've ever paid is $192.00. (This fare is for our trip in May, because of the flights we've selected), All of my wifes coworkers, fellow CM's at TDS, who go all the time, are always finding specials, usually around $120.00 round trip, out of BWI. Even the normal airfare, on AirTran is around $192.00 rt. Hope this helps!

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks for all the info! I'll hang onto my refundables for the time being, but you've all given me hope I will be able to get a better rate closer to the time! 305 days to go! LOL (obsessive aren't I?)

 

[Windjammer]

Just wanted to reiterate what Spruce said. If you get an airport hotel near BWI the parking is often free. This usually pays for the price of the hotel room. The hotel will then shuttle you back and forth to the airport. This can be a plus because the long term parking at BWI is not really convenient.

 

[dtuleya]

I started calling all the airport hotels and none of them offer "free parking". It's either included in the price of the room or you pay a fee per day to park ($5 per day). I had a room at the Hampton Inn for $139 park and fly price (parking up to 14 days). All other hotels in the area were asking $250+. Decided to go to old trust-worthy Priceline. Put in $50 for a 2-1/2 star hotel minimum. Of course, got warning that it wouldn't be accepted, but hey, I never list to a stupid computer, and I got it at the Mariott. Decided to doublecheck with hotel regarding parking. They told me they would charge me $5 per day, but even with that we will be saving $40 (our flight leaves at 6 AM), so it was well worth every penny. Only wish I would have entered $40! LOL!

 

[disneymommyof3]

I live in Jessup, about 10 min. from BWI and am getting everything together for my Oct. trip. If you check Expedia or Travelocity..the fares for right now are EXCELLENT approx $110 and then further down the road, around the time we are going, they are near or over $200 which I have never paid for a ticket to Fl.. I am assuming (I have another post out there about it) that the rates will get a little, hopefully a lot, better as the time gets closer so I have not booked any airfare as of yet. We have, and could again, gone by car (YUCK) but, if the prices for RT tickets then reflect what they are now it wouldn't be worth it to spend 15+ hrs in the car w/ 4 kids. I will be watching this post for any developments. Good luck!

 

[Herbie]

If you decide to use Philly, you can also stay nearby, and most of the hotels will allow you to park for free, and you can use their shuttle. we got a fairfield for $75.00, smart park would have cost us $70.00! might as well stay over!