Maritimer Flying out of Bangor - Anything I should know

[cantwaitforwdw]

We are flying out of Bangor this year and we have never flown from the States...anything we should know? We will be flying from Bangor with Allegiant Air into Sanford Florida...

 

[momdad4kids]

Do you have passports yet? They make getting through security at the airport and customs totally hassle free! Have a wonderful trip.Are you doing a park and fly?Airport parking fees at BGR are very reasonable and some of the newer hotels are near the Bangor mall ,some the airport hotels there are getting a little long in the tooth.

 

[hockeymomNS]

Do you have passports yet? They make getting through security at the airport and customs totally hassle free! Have a wonderful trip.Are you doing a park and fly?Airport parking fees at BGR are very reasonable and some of the newer hotels are near the Bangor mall ,some the airport hotels there are getting a little long in the tooth.

I think that you have to have a passport now. Also, the new hotels are a Hilton Garden Inn and a Marriott. Some of the older ones are def. dated.

 

[Weezyreid]

We fly out of Bangor and Portland and it is a breeze. I would reccomend either the holiday inn express or the Marriot...the Marriot is beautiful!! But not close to the airport. THe Holiday inn is close..the days inn is also close and has just renovated.

Louise

 

[MikeyNS]

We stayed at the Sheraton in November (priceline.com rate, we went down to shop in Bangor) which is connected to the airport and even though the hotel seems a bit dated our room was newly renovated. Flat screen TV, extremely comfy bed, etc. I was so surprised at how small the airport was when I walked in to check it out. I think my house is bigger than the airport. I felt so bad for the lone security guy falling asleep.

 

[momdad4kids]

I think that you have to have a passport now. Also, the new hotels are a Hilton Garden Inn and a Marriott. Some of the older ones are def. dated.

Thanks hockeymom ,I couldnt remember the names of the newer hotels ,You can still fly WITHIN the US with simply a picture ID though ,I believe its june before you need one to cross the border,right now you only need your passport when flying internationaly.We flew from Boston this last time and noticed that at both Logan and Orlando people flying with just a picture ID were taking a little longer getting through security as opposed to having a passport.One interesting thing though we flew with 4 kids and not once anyplace ,customs airport security or anywhere did anyone ask to see their IDs,sort of frightening in a way.

 

[Tinkershelly]

We're thinking of doing this in the fall. Any hotels recommended with a park and fly offer? If we fly out at 6-ish in the morning and back at 10-ish at night we would be looking at one night in a hotel each way. It'll be cheaper than return airfare from Halifax plus parking at the airport, but we have to consider what our time is worth as well.

 

[Weezyreid]

We stayed at the Days Inn and it was actually better than we expected. Cheap in price but they had just renovated..so new bedding, carpet and also sinks
Louise

 

[cantwaitforwdw]

When you stayed at the Days Inn did you leave your vehicle there? Did they have a suttle?

 

[Weezyreid]

yep
We left our car and there was a shuttle.
Louise

 

[redrosesix]

Thanks hockeymom ,I couldnt remember the names of the newer hotels ,You can still fly WITHIN the US with simply a picture ID though ,I believe its june before you need one to cross the border,right now you only need your passport when flying internationaly.We flew from Boston this last time and noticed that at both Logan and Orlando people flying with just a picture ID were taking a little longer getting through security as opposed to having a passport.One interesting thing though we flew with 4 kids and not once anyplace ,customs airport security or anywhere did anyone ask to see their IDs,sort of frightening in a way.

 

[willise]

We just booked four tickets for 9 days at the very end of Aug for $800 BGR-MCO.

We always stay at the Days Inn, but if there are nicer places, I would love to know. The airport hotel just seems too pricey for a few hours - plus you have to pay the $35 a week parking. At least at Days Inn, you can park your car for $2 a day.

 

[Honeystar120608]

We flew out of Portland in Nov with 2 preschoolers. I cant say too much, except that I would prefer to save the 2 extra hrs in driving this time of year by flying out of Bangor. We will be watching Allegiant's prices for this Nov as there are 7 of us going this time around.
Just keep an eye on the weather if it's in the winter time. We got caught in 2 storms coming and going. Flight was canceled on the way home and we had to stay at a Best Western in Orlando.
Best of luck, and have a GREAT time!! It is SO much fun I get so excited thinking about November!! Still 8 months to go! ACK!

 

[Tinkershelly]

I found airfare from Bangor to Orlando (MCO) for $200.90 USD return for September with Delta. You have to connect at JFK though. Seems much better than $600+ for flights from Halifax. Gotta add on extra hotel, gas and food, but with a car-load of people it might be worth the drive.

 

[DCinNs]

We just spend last wekend at the Courtyard by Marriott in Bangor. I would definately reccomend it. Very clean & friendly staff. We did not do the park 'n fly buts lots of people were. We paid $119.00 per night for our stay.You can print your boarding passes at the hotel.

 

[Hockey Mom KQ]

We stay at the Four Points Sheraton airport hotel. You are connected through a tunnel into the airport from the hotel, so you just walk across in the morning. If you bring your luggage in with you the night before, there is no need to go back outside. We stayed at the Ramada before, but had trouble with the shuttle service and had to take a cab back to the hotel with all of our luggage. By parking at the four points, my husband can walk across and bring the car around to the front of the hotel while I get the luggage from the baggage claim. By the time I get the luggage, he is back and taking it to the car. It could not be easier. We did make 1 mistake this year. I used airmiles to pay for my hotel room and just had to pay for the parking. Well $108 later, and all of my airmiles. . . I will just park and fly next year and save my airmiles Hope this helps

 

[Bea]

Delta and Continental have good deals out of Bangor this summer ($260.00cdn) so we are considering flying from Bangor . Most flights in this price range leave around 6:30 am (ish) so we really considering the Sheraton (we have 3 kids so anything to allow them to sleep in a few minutes longer).

Hockey Mom KQ, can you clarify what you said about using your airmiles for the hotel and paying for the parking. Was the $108.00 for parking at the hotel? As convenient as this hotel is, I don't want to have to pay that much for parking for a week.

Thanks.

 

[willise]

Last year, parking at the airport was $7 a day or $35 a week.

It may have changed since then. I think you get one night free when staying at the Sheraton hotel.

 

[Bea]

Do you actually park in the park and fly parking lot?

 

[willise]

You park in the long term parking lot. When you check into the hotel, they give you a parking pass for the night you stay there. When you return, you get your car and give the pass to the gate attendant then they calculate your charge.

At least that is the way it was last time we stayed there. There is no Park N Fly rate, as such, you just pay the regular long term rate minus the one night the hotel pays for.