Flying out of US vs Can

[kristieleeoz]

I know this is probably an old discussion...but I gotta ask.

What are the pros/cons for flying out of either place?

I have flown out of Rochester before and found it to be just fine..but it added more time and $$ to the trip. Never really done the math but I still think we came out ahead...a bit.

Right now I have found direct flights for 4 with Skyservice out of Toronto for $1300 return..I have found the same out of Buffalo with Airtran for $900US...the glitch in that is that you have to pay for your baggage with Airtran..no freebies.

Does anyone know if you have to pay for baggage with Skyservice, Air Transat or Sunwing?? Southwesy gives you 2 free per person..cool.

Anyway..I am looking for your thoughts on this..

Thanks a bunch.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

We fly Southwest out of Buffalo. Every time we take a flight I check to see what the cost would be for Air Canada or Westjet out of Toronto. Each time the cost to fly out of Buffalo is less than half the cost to fly out of Toronto. So #1 reason to fly out of Buffalo would be cost.

As to time - it takes up roughly 2 hours door to door from our house to Buffalo airport. To get to Toronto airport takes roughly 30-45 minutes depending on traffic so there is a time savings if flying out of Toronto to get to the airport but since Orlando is an international flight from Toronto the extra time is spent waiting at the airport. Flying out of Buffalo means that it's a domestic flight and therefore don't have to be at the airport as long before the flight.

The Buffalo airport is smaller than Toronto and easier to navigate plus the parking is a lot cheaper.

If you fly out of Buffalo you clear customs at the border which is usually easier than clearing customs at the airport.

At the end of the trip the drive home from Buffalo is longer than it would be if we flew out of Toronto but the cost savings on the flights more than make up for it.

If you fly out of Buffalo check the prices for the different airlines and the baggage charge. Southwest allows 2 checked bags for free and usually has the most nonstop flights.

Lots of people don't like to drive to Buffalo in the winter but we've never (knock on wood) had a problem with the weather. We've flown in January, February, April, May, June, August, September, October and December.

As to price we paid as cheap as $29 one way (total $170US for the two of us) to $125 one way for each of us (I waited too long to book on this one). Typically we pay around $300US roundtrip all taxes in for the 2 of us. I book each way of the trip separately so that I can take advantage of price drops and dings and get the credit. We are quite flexible in the days that we fly though which does make a difference.

It's really a personal preference thing. We will drive the distance to save the money and don't mind the little bit of inconvience. Some people would rather pay for the convenience of flying out of Toronto.

 

[Sue M]

We fly out of Seattle. Flights are usually at least half the price, most of the time it is even a third of the price. We are flying next week RT $257 each incl taxes. Out of our airport its $477, so flying out of Seattle is saving us $440.00 for the 2 tickets. Factoring in the overnight hotel, we stay both coming and going got deal at Marriott for $70 a night, we are still way ahead. Hotel lets us leave our car for free.

 

[encinc]

Beyond the price difference, right now the biggest advantage to flying out of Buffalo for me is the increased security at Pearson for flights into the US. Lineups are extra long, and carry on restrictions are really tight. I'd fly out of Buffalo to save that hassle even if the price was the same at both airports.

 

[lizzyb]

I much prefer flying from Buffalo. Not only is it cheaper but dealing with customs is soo much easier.

 

[webworm]

It's really a no brainer flying a family of 5 out of US - Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh or Detroit. Whereever the lowest fare is we go. Last year we flew with Airtran to FortMyers and they had an incredible deal for $67.00 return or $335.00 for the 5 of us including taxes. They had a $25.00 coupon at the time as well. Pearson is ridiculous and during March break for 5 people you are looking at $3000.00 in airfare.

 

[2gr8DisneyKids]

Right now I would vote for the US due to the security/carry-on issues with flying into the US and the suggestion to get to the airport at least 3 hours before your flight.

 

[wannago2disney]

for us it's a NO BRAINER we are about 1 hr 20 min from Detroit Metro. and about 2:45 from Pearson. Monday we fly out on airtran and return flight cost for 4 of us was under 600.00. you do have to pay for checked bags...$15 right now for 1st bag per passenger I think but for the 4 of us we only need 2 checked (works out to 60.00 round trip) and we are just taking back packs but you are allowed carryon and a personal item.

Also, if you book your airtran flight through Kayak.com you don't have to pay the seat assignment fee.

this is way cheaper than flying out of Ontario.

 

[treehugnmama]

we also like to fly out of buffalo. For a few reasons
1) cheaper
2) clear customs at the boarder in the car.
3) I can order stuff from the disney website and have it delivered to a friend in the state...pick it up on the way and have it for our trip

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Until these new security restrictions were put in place I would always say to fly out of Canada, because it's a lot closer and etc. However until things go back to normal before the rules of no carryon bags and etc, I would say to fly out of the United States.

 

[momtolots]

When we fly, we always fly out of Syracuse with Jet Blue. As pp's said, since it's a domestic flight it makes it much easier. If we have to fly out of Canada, we use Ottawa airport, smaller, and much easier to navigate than Pearson.

 

[snickerboo]

Pros:
*cheaper, cheaper, cheaper. We usually find AirTran or Southwest flights for about $60 pp each way from Detroit. Never found anything cheaper than $300 pp each way Canadian (all those wonderful airport fees).
*parking at Buffalo or Detroit: you park right next to the terminal. You may have to take an extremely short shuttle. The parking is cheaper than Toronto.
*Both Detroit and Buffalo airports are much simpler to navigate than Pearson.
*like going to the Sarnia duty-free on the way back

Cons:
*for us it's a little bit further: Detroit is 2 1/2 hours, whereas Toronto would be 1 1/2 hours.

Conclusion: we've never flown out of Canada to WDW or DL and don't plan to. As webworm said, last time we went to WDW I priced out flights on Air Canada from Pearson. We went off-season, mid-week and I was quoted $3200 for four, just for the flights. We flew Air Tran instead nad spent about $3200 on the entire vacation.

 

[OntFamily]

Another big benefit of flying out of the USA occurs upon your return. If you fly on a participating "remote air check-in" airline, you can check in your luggage at your Disney resort. This make going back to the Orlando airport mush easier.

If you are flying direct to Canada, you cannot use RAC.

 

[jmann]

I/we have flown from Det the last three trips and my thoughts are similiar to everyone else. I have always found it to be cheaper, including staying over the night before. The hotel includes breakfast and parking/shuttle making it even better. I get on the shuttle and in 10 minutes we are in the terminal.

 

[jmann]

I/we have flown from Det the last three trips and my thoughts are similiar to everyone else. I have always found it to be cheaper, including staying over the night before. The hotel includes breakfast and parking/shuttle making it even better. I get on the shuttle and in 10 minutes we are in the terminal.

 

[alamode]

As someone who doesn't drive and lives in Toronto, I guess I'm one of the few who still flies from YYZ.

As for security, don't US domestic flights go through the same increased security measures?

Yes the airfare is cheaper, but to me, even if I could drive to Buffalo my time is worth more to me than the added expense. Just a personal choice.

 

[LSmith]

As someone who doesn't drive and lives in Toronto, I guess I'm one of the few who still flies from YYZ.

As for security, don't US domestic flights go through the same increased security measures?

Yes the airfare is cheaper, but to me, even if I could drive to Buffalo my time is worth more to me than the added expense. Just a personal choice.

I live in Toronto too and fly out of YYZ about 3 times a year but when I fly to the States I much prefer Buffalo.

Airfare IS cheaper. Especially if you are travelling with your family. There are 5 of us. I much prefer to use that extra $1500 bucks or more when I get to my destination instead of spending it on airfare.

Buffalo Airport is very easy to use because it is a small airport. Two hours from my house to the airport.

You clear customs at the border which means, for the most part, driving up, showing your passports, and continuing on your way. There is no clearing customs again at the airport.

You are not subjected to the same increased security measures and you can have a carryon which is very important to some people. We've had our bags "lost" twice now on two different airlines. Lost and never found.

Lastly, Buffalo has great shopping and restaurants!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I've driven 10 hours to get to Portland Maine from Halifax to fly to Disney. It is very rare that we get good rates from YHZ with Canadian carriers ....

Continental had some good fares a month ago, but they have dried up.

Customs is not the big issue here ... its Price.

 

[BellyBaby]

Flying out of North Dakota (2 hr drive to Fargo, vs. 1 hr drive to Winnipeg) saves us about 50% on flight costs.

We also buy stuff on Walmart.com site for "site to store" pickup for when we land, and drive it back home. We saved lots of $$ on an electric guitar for my son this past Christmas, and toys and books are also much cheaper.

I also like clearing customs in the car, it's super fast.

 

[kristieleeoz]

Thanks for your thoughts on this...I think the general consensus is that flying our of the US is the way to go. Pretty sad, really, when its more of a hassle to travel out of your own country!

I have found some pretty awesome deal with Southwest...I am likely going to book this weekend..keping my eyes on the prices.