Is it worth flying from Gatwick if Manchester is my nearest airport?

[AlexJB]

Hi everyone

At the moment I'm currently looking at some flight options to Orlando this Summer. My nearest airport is Manchester, but the only direct flight (Virgin) is pretty expensive; all the others are with connecting flights, and the flight times aren't brilliant (often leaving early, and not arriving into Orlando late evening). I've found a Virgin flight flying direct from Gatwick with perfect times... leaving early afternoon, and arriving in Orlando late afternoon - I'm just trying to weigh up the options as to if it's worth the inconvenience of going from Gatwick (3.5 hour drive - or train, but would have to go the night before and stay in a hotel as early trains connect thru London so average at £120) for the convenience of having a direct flight, and arriving at a good time?

Thanks for reading.. Would welcome any thoughts!

 

[Clare D]

Hello and Welcome
Not sure where abouts you are but we also tend to fly from Manchester. As you say Virgin have become pretty expensive and I found, when messing around with dates, that flying from Gatwick was cheaper.
However I think you need to price up all the added costs, overnight hotel, petrol etc to see if worth paying more to fly from Manchester.
Have you looked at American Airlines? They have a flight from Manchester via Chicago to Orlando. Yes you'll arrive later but you won't have the added expense of travelling to Gatwick either.
When we were going to Chicago last year the cost of their flights in their sale was much cheaper than Virgin. However, once the sale finished they were alot more expensive so if you see a competitive price don't hang around

 

[PJB71]

Hi

Like you Manchester is also our nearest airport.

We have always flown out of Manchester but have done it both ways, direct with Virgin, and also connections with several airlines.

IMO, I would rather hang around the USA airports and believe me time seems to fly by, once you have cleared immigration(which is something to consider as once you get to Orlando that process has already been done), grabbed something to eat and streched your legs its usually time to board your connection to Orlando. I would rather to that anyday, but as I said thats just my preferance.

Hope you decide and manage to get something booked asap

 

[~Piglet~]

What is the price difference between the Virgin flights from Manchester and Gatwick? it would have to be pretty hefty to make it worthwhile (for me). As Clare D says once you price up the extra costs (hotel, petrol, car parking charges, food etc) plus the extra time it takes to get to Gatwick maybe looking at alternative Manchester flights is a better option

 

[AlexJB]

Thanks guys, really appreciate your help; I'm starting to think the trek down from where I live (Staffordshire) probably wouldn't be worth it, and like PJB said I would rather be in a USA airport than stuck on the motorway to gatwick!

I've been looking on Expedia and have been trying different date combos, and by going 3 days later there is a really good Virgin flight that's not priced too badly - I won't be ready to book anything for a few days so I just hope it stays, fingers crossed!

 

[PJB71]

Good Luck Alex, hope you manage to get something booked in the next few days

Makesure you keep us posted

 

[disneydaft]

First Choice, Monarch, Thomas Cook all fly from Manchester direct to Orlando Sanford.

They are really worth looking at unless you want to go for a different duration than 7, 14 or 21 days

 

[bob6sims]

on the flight out to Floria no-one minds traveling to an airport further away but on the return journey all you want to do is get home quickly - so even if it is more expensive manchester may be the best option.

Happy planning

 

[AlexJB]

Hi everyone

Thanks again for all of your help! Since I posted we've had to change our travel dates slightly to the end of July, so have just booked a good deal with Virgin from Manchester. All flights & routes were quite expensive, but pleased to have found a good deal!

 

[~Piglet~]

Hi Alex,

Glad you've got your flights sorted out - enjoy your trip planning

 

[PJB71]

Hi Alex

So pleased you managed to get for flights booked, and from the airport of your choice.

Happy planning