HH or Vero - what airports to fly into

[MELSMICE]

DH & I are thinking of going to either HH or Vero in October. What airports would we fly into?

Also, do any of you rent a car when you stay at either of these resorts? If not, what kind of transfer services do you use?

Thanks for your help!

Melanie

 

[Mitch and Jeff]

For Hilton Head, if you are flying USAir, then you can fly to Charlotte, NC and then take the connecting flight directly onto HH. If not, then take USAir to Savannah, or take Delta to Atlanta and then Delta onto Savannah.

Right now fares from Boston to HHI for October 1 to October 8 are $345/person, while the same day and times to Savannah on both airlines is $230. Its about 50 minutes from the airport to Disney HH. The question is whether its worth the $115/person up charge to save the drive. The airport on Hilton Head is some 10 to 15 minutes max to the resort. Also, Hilton Head airport used to not want you there any earlier than 30 minutes before the flight because its so small.

Hope we'll bump into you on Hilton Head, we'll be there 10/1 to 10/8 at Swallowtail at SeaPines.

Mitch

 

[MELSMICE]

Thanks for the info. Not sure of our dates yet - we're in planning stages right now!

 

[scootert]

For Vero, you could fly into Orlando, Melbourne or West Palm Beach. This year we're flying into Melbourne for the first time - going on Delta. Ticket price was about $30 more per ticket than MCO, but the schedule was good and since we're not going to WDW this time we thought we'd try it.

Orlando is about a 90 mile drive. Haven't seen much from folks about West Palm but I think the drive may be just a little shorter, but not too much. Melbourne is 30-45 miles away.

For Hilton Head we flew into Savannah and I've got to say it was one of the nicest airports (and we've seen our share travelling for business). I think the drive is about the same as from Charleston. Savannah is also a very lovely city, so you could always spend a night there.

Hope you have a good trip...

 

[PamOKW]

At Vero, I would strongly recommend that you have a rental car. This will allow you to get out and explore the area. The cost for a car service from Orlando or WPB would be equal (or more than) the cost of the rental. The only reason I could see not to rent a car is if you have some problem with driving the distance from the airport.

 

[pumpkinboy]

We have used both MCO (Orlando) and PBI (West Palm) on our VB trips. I would love to use MLB (Melbourne) but no direct flights there from Boston, and we don't do transfers (which is why we have not yet been to HHI). We prefer using MCO to PBI as MCO bigger, more modern and more efficiently run. PBI is a little closer, but not appreciably so, and there are fewer direct flights in, therefore generally higher airfares. I found the difference in drive time offset by the longer flight time to PBI too.

Since flying out of Buffalo, you are probably going to have to change planes someplace anyway, why not just pay a little bit extra to fly into MLB (from what I understand, a lovely little airport). It's still a good poke from MLB to VB, so you will likely want to rent a car regardless (unless you choose HHI and fly right to the Island, but that's probly two connections, ugh). Notably, we did not use our rental car but one day (and to get groceries), spending almost all out time at the lovely VB resort; I would have preferred to do without a car, but not really practical.

 

[Mitch and Jeff]

Scootert-

Just a clarification. It is a 50 minute drive (48.1 miles) from Savannah to Hilton Head and almost 2 1/2 hours (119 miles) to Charleston, SC. These mileages are taken from mapquest from each cities airport, to my non-DVC timeshare in SeaPines. I think that Charleston is definitely nicer than Savannah, but Savannah is so much closer.

Mitch