how far would you travel to the airport

[Pakey]

We are 3 hours from SFO and 4 hours from LAX. We are 15 minutes from our local, smaller airport.

We've only once driven to LAX when going to Orlando. There was 11 of us going so driving to LAX saved over $2000.

My husband and I often drive to either SFO or LAX when we are traveling out of the country. It has more to do with long layovers rather than cost. Why sit in SFO or LAX for 6 hours for a layover when we can drive there in 4.

 

[Ahrizel]

Our home airport is Avoca-avp- but all flights from it to MCO are connecting, no thanks. For us we've flown from Allentown, Philly, and BWI. They're about 1.15, 2.0, and 2.30 away from us approx. Pity the hometown doesn't work better, can be there in around 30 minutes.
Mary

 

[Yzerbear19]

We always drive to Detroit which is 2 hours from where we live. The closest airport to us is just 7 miles away, but the fares are HORRIBLE. Most of the time the fares for our local airport are more than double the price to fly from Detroit. And they offer no direct flights, all flights have to stop in Detroit. We flew from our local airport in April 2010, but the flight from our local airport to Detroit was awful both ways. We normally park our car at our brother's house who lives in the Detroit area and then he takes us to the airport so we don't have to pay for parking. I've looked at flying from Flint before and it is always cheaper to go from Detroit. Plus Detroit offers more options and more direct flights.

If our local airport offered more direct flights at reasonable prices I would use them, but most of the time it makes more sense to just drive to Detroit.

 

[rustynation]

I've technically travelled over four hours from where I live now to fly. My mother, flying with me, travelled about two. My nearest airport is about 50 minute on public transportation and maybe 20 by car. Hers is about 35 by car.

 

[fitmom3]

We are from Canada and have three children. We will be driving to Buffalo (2.5-3 hour drive). This will save us a ton of money. The other advantage is that we don't need passports for our children when crossing the border by land. That also saves us some money. I think I would drive max 3-4 hours during the winter months.

 

[fraservalleymom]

We live 1 hour from Vancouver (Canada) Airport and 3 hours from Seattle, WA airport. The 3 hour drive saves us 50%!!

 

[ToddyLu]

UPDATE:

DH and I booked our SW tickets out of New Orleans last night. This morning the flight had gone up $15. The flight times are great, too--nonstop.

 

[Lewisc]

The further the airport the less likely you'll be able ask a friend or relative to drive. The less likely you'll be able to get a reasonable price on a car service or shuttle service. Early am flight. Add the cost of a hotel near the airport.

 

[2binak]

We live 1 hour from Vancouver (Canada) Airport and 3 hours from Seattle, WA airport. The 3 hour drive saves us 50%!!

But does it save your sanity?

(sorry I couldn't resist - I'm not good at sitting still for long periods of time so being in a car that long to get to the airport only to have to wait at least another hour for my flight to board would drive me , add in traveling with kids and I'd be really )

 

[Lassie Lynne]

0 extra miles!

We have 3 airports within reasonable driving distance (25 minutes, 45 minutes-1 hour and one 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic). We only fly from the closest one - I don't even check fares from the others.

We have deals that were good enough or excellent (Southwest mostly) from the closest one, and when you add in the extra complications from traffic around here, it's not really worth it to even look further out.

I suspect that we are neighbors

I totally agree. I have found cheaper flights at the further airports, but the transportation issues really make it not feasible. I think the only time I might consider another airport is if I was going international - then the rates/schedule might be different enough to warrant it.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

The last couple of yrs we have flown out of New Olreans, which is 110 miles and 2 hours away with traffic. We arrive 2 hours early and then have a 1.45 minute flight. So it takes us about 6 hours to get to Orlando, 9-10 if we drive. It saves my sanity to fly, since DH takes an Ativan before we fly...

When I travel to see my parents in Baton Rouge, I always fly to New Orleans and drive from there. It actually it almost the same time frame from NO than from the Baton Rouge airport to drive and rates are better to NO.

 

[Karlzmom]

for me, an additional consideration is the length of the flight and number of stops. I am really not saving much by driving 2 1/2 hours, but the non-stop is perfect for us. The idea of having to spend all day traveling and worrying about connections [knowing that with weather issues the more stops you have = increased odds of a problem somewhere]. We know that if the plane can take off from LAX, it will likely be fine into MCO. Also, the flight times are better for us and give us nearly a full day on go home day, rather than having to be at the airport at dawn.